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Algarve
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| Golf in Portugal > Algarve > Vale da Pinta > Bookings |
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 Designed
by the North American Ronald Fream, currently one of the most respected
of architects and whose style involves the preservation ot nature in
his projects, Vale da Pinta is the twin of Quinta
do Gramacho, but with a full 18 hole course. It is set in the Pestano
Golf Resort.The course runs through an old olive grove, where some of the trees are more than 700 years old. True to U.S. golfing concepts, Fream has created wide, deep greens protected by a total of 59 similarly sized bunkers. The challenges posed by the course are adaptable to differing levels of skill. This is achieved by the presence of five sets of tees for each of its holes. So those players with handicaps ranging from scratch to 12 can play off the black marks placed further back. White marks are for those handicapped between 13 and 20. For ladies there are red marks (from scratch to 28 handicap) and blue marks for lady beginners. As of September 1996 the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, which is Europe's fifth largest, established a presence at this development. Nearest Accommodation: Hotel Tivoli Almansor, Hotel Apartment Cristal, Hotel Apartment Solferias, Villa Borboleta, Carvoeiro Sol, Colina da Lapa Club, Rocha Brava I Accommodation Algarve Nearest Golf Courses: Quinta do Gramacho, Vale do Milho |
 Pro's
Playing TipsThe introduction to the course is via three par 4's. The fourth is a magnificent par 5. You will need an accurate drive - to the marker post - to avoid the area of rough on the right and"out of bounds" on the left. The second shot is over land which slopes steeply away downhill. This needs to be carefully thought out because there is a bunker at the foot of the hill, which comes into play for a full shot. The fairway is also extremely narrow there. The green is well bunkered, two tiered and lightening fast. The fifth is a great par 3, both aesthetically and golf-wise. The green is way down below the tee, making clubbing a nightmare. There are deep bunkers on the left and a lake to the right and behind. And then there is the wind waiting to take the shot off line. The par-4 thirteenth (336 meters) plays aver a lake, to the far side of which is a long bunker. Effectively this adds a further 25 meters. The "safe" tee shot is to the right of the water of this slight dog-leg. You will probably have a sloping lie for the approach but, with a contoured green well shaped and protected by two large bunkers, a good shot will find the putting surface. The last hole is again a par 5 - about 581 meters. Its a very long three shots to the green. There is an "out of bounds" to the right and rough on left. Ironically, the second shot must flirt with the bunkers and trees to your left if you have thought about the third approach shot. |
| Course Data Architect: Ronald Fream Opened: 1992 Holes: 18 Par: 71 Length: 6.728 meters Pro's: Nelson Cavalheiro & Carlos Ribeiro Requirements: Handicap Certificate. Max: Men=27, Ladies=35 Facilities: Driving Range, Putting Green, Pitching Area (with bunkers), Trolleys, Buggies, Club Hire, Academy, Pro-shop, Terrace cafe. |
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