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Vila
Sol is probably one of the most famous golf courses in the Algarve,
it hosted the Portuguese Open shortly after opening and soon became
one of the Championship courses of Portugal. Other competitions
to be hosted here were the Lancôme Trophy in 1996 and the
Johnnie Walker Euro Classic in the same year. Vila Sol has also
been awarded the European Golfer's Association Ecology Unit's Green
Flag Award for it's high standard of environmental management.
As you walk around this course you will come across plaques, explaining
what the type of shrub or tree it is with and information on the
plant itself.
October
2000 New 9 Holes Opened, This new 9 holes at Vila Sol have now had
some time to mature, with a lot more work having been done it is
looking more like the Vila Sol we all have come to love. Well done
to the Staff at Vila Sol.
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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.
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