Ria Formosa
This course at Quinta do Lago is set amongst the Ria Formosa
nature reserve after which the course gets it's name. Out of the 18 holes
all but the par threes have either a dog leg or some sort of bend, to
make it harder, on some holes the walk between green and tee is some what
long and tiring. If you plan to take a buggy this is the course to do
it on. The course meanders through the Quinta do Lago estate and most
if not all have tree lined fairways. To say the least on this course you
have to be accurate off the tee's.
One of the outstanding holes is the par 4 tenth, 358 meters.
Off the elevated tee you look over some of the magnificent villas and
houses in this estate, but do not be put off. The tee shot has to be almost
perfect, out of bounds lurks on the right and yes "trees to the right"
. From the elevated tee you look across deep valleys in the fairway making
your drive look impossible, hit a good tee shot and you are rewarded.
If you manage a par here you have done well. The twelfth hole is one of
those holes you think "I must hit it long here", a tip, take
a long iron to the left side of the fairway but not to left a sloping
fairway can make the ball run into the water hazard. This will leave you
another iron over the lake, You can afford to hit the second a little
long as their is a large bank to the back of the green. To finish there
is yet another hole you will remember, from an elevated tee you drive
off over the lake, keep your head down a good tee shot rewards you with
a relatively easy shot round the dog leg. A word of warning for your approach
to the green, try and leave it short of the pin. The green on this hole
is notorious, it has a big slope from back to front. If you are at the
back of this green the putt is horrendous, too hard and you are back on
the fairway. Short of the pin with your approach, make sure you hit a
positive putt as it is more than likely that your ball will come back
to you.
COURSE DETAILS
Built in 1974 - Course architects/ Joseph Lee, William Mitchell and William
(Rocky) Roquemore
Par 72 -18 Holes - SSS 72 Length off White Tees 6,205 Meters
PLAYER REQUIREMENTS Current Handicap Certificate Required
Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.
