On the Quinta Course, the first hole
is a straight short par 4. But this hole does have a slight drawback,
it is right outside the club house with every one watching, making
it some what more difficult for the handicap golfer. The third hole
is a par 4 measuring 387 meters off the white tees, the tee looks
down on an undulating fairway which looks very inviting, but watch
out water lurks at the front of this green, hidden from the tee by
a rise in the fairway.
After a very pleasant first nine winding
it’s way through the pine clad fairways we move onto the second
nine. Lets look at the tough par 4 tenth, 410 meters off the white’s.
You have to drive long here to get a good second to the green, but watch
out for the bunkers on the left. Your second shot here is more crucial,
choose your club well, a large dip in the fairway makes it look shorter
that it is, choose well it could mean a difficult chip and run onto
a large sloping green. It is time for what I think is the most memorable
hole on the Quinta course, the fifteenth a 200 meter par 3. This green
is surrounded by the famous umbrella pine trees, but first you have
to get over the large lake, from the white tee a carry of some 180 meters.
The easiest part is the walk over the wooden bridge, time to take in
nature at it’s best.
The next is a relatively easy par 4,
time to take breath for the 17th. Yet another watery tee shot, a good
hit will set you up but watch out for the right side of the fairway,
yes trees. If you hit a bad shot try meditating as you walk to your
ball between the lake guarding the 15th and the one you have just encountered,
it is still a long way to go. After you have negotiated the lake, trees
and bunkers you are looking at a narrow green guarded by bunkers left
and right, it’s OK you have nearly finished. But be assured it
would have been a most memorable round of golf, I am sure you will wish
to come back.
COURSE DETAILS
Built in 1974 - Course architects/ Joseph Lee, William Mitchell and
William Roquemore
Par 72 -18 Holes - SSS 74 Length off White Tees 6,488 Meters
PLAYER REQUIREMENTS
Current Handicap Certificate Required
Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.
