At Vila Sol the designer has set out the course with one
of the most difficult starts to a round of golf. In the first four holes
you come up against stroke index 5, 3, 1 and 9.
The first looks inviting, but keep to the left side of
the fairway, out of bound lurks on the left and a large tree is strategically
placed on the edge of the left side. Get past this and you are confronted
with an elevated green with some of the most unlikely contours you will
come across, it is also fast as are all the greens here. The second, a
par 4 407 meters water to the left and out of bounds on the right, keep
it straight if you can. Now the notorious third, stroke index one with
a sharp dogleg left. A good long tee shot to the left is required to give
you any chance of reaching the green in two, the out of bounds carry on
the left and a tree juts out on the right. Not all, a well placed bunker
is at the front left of this large green, putting is difficult here as
it has a slop up with a large mound to the left. A par here is for professional's
only, so don't be despondent with a 5, even this is good. One of the signature
holes is the sixth, a long 495 meter par 5, an elevated tee looks down
the fairway to a lake "time for a photo". This hole has water
on the left from the tee and out of bounds and a stream on the right,
then you have the lake in front of you. "What a Hole" Let's
jump to the fourteenth, a par 5 measuring 458 meters not too long but
look out on your second shot. Over the horizon lies a small lake guarding
the green, once on the green you come up with the standard fast speed
of all of the greens at Vila Sol. Now to the eighteenth, only a par 4
and only 366 meters. Don't be fooled, if you are right you have no second
shot, but on the left you have trees waiting, too long and you have no
second shot. The approach to the greens is protected by bunkers on the
left and out of bounds (or the club house) on the left and a sloping green,
"Phew", that was great.
COURSE DETAILS
Built in 1991 - Course architect Donald Steel
Par 72 -18 Holes - SSS 72 Length off White Tees 6,189 Meters
PLAYER REQUIREMENTS Current Handicap Certificate
Men 27 and Ladies 35
Soft Spikes
Normal Algarve Dress code, Tailored shorts and collared polo shirts.
