Pestana-Carvoeiro -- A pair of gems everyone will love

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In the space of 40 years, Portugal's Algarve region has experienced something of a golf miracle -- it has grown from a golf-less beach resort area to a world-class golf destination. In the mid-60's there wasn't a single course to be found along the region's 100 miles of spectacular coastline; now there are more than 30, some ranked alongside the very best in Europe.

Quinta do Gramacho offers an exhilirating round, though it's not exactly a walk in the park.

The Algarve is already a regular host to European Tour events and has been a selected venue for The World Golf Championships-World Cup. By any standard, The Algarve has been on a rocket ride to golf stardom and 40 years later, there is still no sign of the ride slowing down. As with most success stories, this has not come about by accident, but is the result of a lot of hard work, discipline and meticulous planning, every step of the way.

Since noted English golf architect, Sir Henry Cotton, laid out The Algarve's very first course at Penina in 1966, quality control and concern for the environment have been key to development. Only the world's most respected architects, known for sharing the same ideals as the local government were enlisted to assist in The Algarve's golf development -- Donald Steel, Frank Pennink, Joseph Lee, William Mitchell, Ronald Fream, joined more recently by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo.

Hilly, but very walkable, Quinta do Gramacho is a challenge packed with variety.

The plan was not to build as many courses as possible, in the shortest period of time, but to develop a thoughtful collection of layouts that would not only complement one another, but also enhance the natural beauty of the area. Although The Algarve boasts an enviable selection of true championship courses, stern enough to test top touring pros to the extreme, the average golfer and visiting vacationers have not been forgotten.

Among the tough layouts are some very forgiving, pleasurable courses, designed to provide fun to high handicappers and even those who are relatively new to the game, yet they still test the more accomplished players from the back tees. The two courses at Pestana-Carvoeira Golf Resort are excellent examples.

Vale da Pinta first opened in 1992.

Vale da Pinta and Quinta do Gramacho are a pair of delightful designs by Californian born Ronald Fream. Examples of his design work (usually with a reputation for being especially tough) are scattered around the globe, but at Pinta and Gramacho, Fream has shown a kinder side. He has demonstrated a consideration for the holiday golfer, while preserving the natural beauty of the terrain, without succumbing to any temptation to overdo things. Played from the front tees the high handicapper is still challenged, but not impossibly so and from the back tees, even the low handicappers could still have a tough time and will need to demonstrate their talents.

Quinta do Gramacho was originally a nine-hole course, but with some good old Yankee ingenuity, Fream has cleverly transformed it into a full-fledged 18-hole layout. Playing along nine shared fairways, there are 18 separate greens and 18 tee boxes, providing an end result of having played a full 18 and quite different holes.

Vale da Pinta is the tougher of the two layouts at Pestana-Carvoeiro Golf Resort.

Winding its way through almond groves, around fig trees and stunningly beautiful stands of ancient olive trees, some allegedly over 700 years old, this is a handsome layout that manages to throw in a fascinating variety of challenges. You'll be driving from elevated tees and across water one minute, then driving uphill to elevated greens the next. The bunkering is shrewd and strategically placed and the superbly maintained greens (some of the best on The Algarve) are well protected by them.

Gramacho is a course that demands accuracy and the ability to choose the right club is essential for a good score. High handicappers, there is no shame in playing this one from the front tees and in doing so; you'll have a fun round. Let the more experienced players attack Gramacho from the back tees where they will be confronted by a serious challenge.

Forgiving from the front tees, Vale da Pinta's sharp teeth show clearly from the back.

Vale da Pinta is the more testing of the two layouts at Pestana-Carvoeiro, but still another thoroughly enjoyable round for all. Again, if it better suits your abilities and makes you feel more comfortable, play it from the front tees. Carved out of a giant olive grove, Pinta is a special treat and one of The Algarve's true hidden gems. The course may not receive the publicity of some others in the area, but it's certainly ranked up there among the best.

The layout flows over and down a series of tree encrusted hills and valleys with a style entirely of its own, posing a never-ending succession of subtle challenges. There is an immediate impression of being privileged to be in such majestic surroundings, made all the more so by spectacular vistas of the imposing Monchique Mountains in the distance.

Mature trees are a major hazard at Vale da Pinta.

Selecting the most memorable holes on a course that is so consistently good is not easy, as each has its own distinctive appeal. Pinta's three opening par 4's offer a gentle introduction to the real test that starts on the par-5 fourth. Careful thinking and accuracy is required on each of the three shots to the green, avoiding rough, out of bounds and some well-placed bunkers. Get there in three and you must still contend with the multi-tiered and treacherously fast green, filled with subtle undulations.

Great courses always have memorable closes and Pinta is no exception. The 17th is a par-3 with a downhill tee shot to a shallow green protected to the front by sand and to the rear by trees. But the grand finale 18th may be the very best of all. Winding its way through and around stately old olive trees, it's 635 yards of hard to hold fairway and as thrilling a roller-coaster ride as any course can provide. Three precise shots are needed to reach the devilishly small, two-tiered green, and then you are at the mercy of your putting abilities. Making par here will be some accomplishment.

Thoroughly fair from start to finish, Pinta is a graduation course for the higher handicapper and a stiff test for everyone else. But most importantly it demonstrates to all what good golf is about -- excitement, thrills and most of all, fun. And if your score is not as good as you had hoped for, is it really that important?

For more ideas on how to get the most out of your golf trip to The Algarve, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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