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By David Brice
Golf International Inc.

Portugal's Algarve region may not yet be well known to golfers on this side of the Atlantic, but that situation is changing quickly as more and more Americans discover the unique golf paradise contained along this 90-mile stretch of Atlantic washed shoreline.

Quinta do Lago -- one of the established Algarve favorites.

Blessed with an idyllic, year round golfing climate where the coolest winter temperatures seldom drop below the mid 60's and even at the peak of summer, never climb above the mid 80's; this is God-given golf country, just waiting to be discovered.

The pioneer of golf development along The Algarve was the great English designer and three-time British Open Champion, Sir Henry Cotton who built the very first course here in 1966. Since that time the inventory of courses has steadily grown to more than 30 layouts in all, but more than the quantity, it's the consistently high quality of The Algarve's courses that is so impressive.

Golf development along this sun-drenched coast has been approached in a very careful, methodical manner and always with a great deal of attention paid to the environment and esthetics. The local tourism development authority and private sector have worked closely together to avoid the haphazard and sometimes disastrous over-development of other countries and successfully achieved an end result that blends in magnificently with the natural surroundings, while protecting and enriching both flora and fauna.

Quinta da Cima -- mature trees with a splash of water.

Although individual golf course rankings should never be taken too literally, a look at Golf World Magazine's most recent ranking of Portugal's courses shows The Algarve shining through with 8 of the country's top twelve ranked courses - and three of these are listed among the very best in all of Continental Europe.

Making a good thing even better is that all of these courses are located conveniently close to each other, often within a ten-minute drive and never more than 30 minutes away. An abundance of excellent hotels ranging from stunning 5 star resorts to smaller more modest accommodations, means a vacation spent here is all vacation with no wasted time packing and unpacking, checking into and out of a succession of different hotels, as you move around the countryside.

Choose from The Algarve's top 8 courses and you won't be disappointed. In the interests of objectivity, the list is presented in alphabetical order to avoid my own personal bias, slipping in.

Quinta do Lago Golf Resort.

Quinta da Ria: Running along a cliff top with picture postcard views across the most beautiful inlet of the Ria Formosa, this is a good-looking layout with teeth. The superbly maintained greens are well defended and demand precision and finesse. Every hole is good and some are simply exceptional.

Quinta de Cima: Demanding a carefully thought out strategy from start to finish, this is definitely one for the thinking golfer with the ability to execute. Hazards are plentiful and cleverly positioned with water, shrewd bunkering and the sea breeze making life all the more difficult. Playing to your handicap here will be a definite accomplishment, few will achieve.

Quinta do Lago (South Course): A frequent host to top tournaments and one of the established favorites of The Algarve. This is an extremely well balanced layout that remains thoroughly playable by any experienced golfer, without the stress of trying to fight with a monster. Come here for an enjoyable round and you won't be disappointed.

Vilamoura's Old Course.

San Lorenzo: Ranked as Portugal's best course only a few years ago, San Lorenzo has had to surrender its crown to younger neighbors, but that detracts not one iota from the stern challenge presented. Still firmly ensconced as one of the best, the layout contains every difficulty in the book and then some. This is a wild mustang of a golf test, which low handicappers will enjoy trying to tame.

Vale do Lobo (Royal Course): The 16th, a 224 yard, par-3, demands a cliff-top tee-shot that must carry over two ravines, tumbling to the beach below, then a good-sized bunker. This is the most photographed hole in Portugal. The original design is from Henry Cotton with more recent modifications by American Rocky Roquemore.

Vilamoura (Old Course): This Frank Pennink design opened in 1969, only gets better with age. With amazing similarities to the great British Parkland courses where mature trees are frequently in play, good ball striking is a pre-requisite for a good score. Of all 5 outstanding layouts at Vilamoura, The Old Course remains the favorite for many -- and for good reason.

Vilamoura (Victoria Course): The newest member of the Vilamoura family took a rocket-ride to stardom immediately after opening in 2005 and hasn't looked back since. Already a past host to the WGC World Golf Championships, Victoria will become a permanent fixture on the European Tour in 2007 when it hosts the Portugal Open. This is Portugal's top gun and a course that gives Valderrama a serious challenge as Europe's # 1 layout.

Vilamoura Victoria Course.

Vila Sol: Voted as one of Europe's top ten golf resorts in 2006, this luxurious property boasts a state of the art Health Spa and 27 holes of pure golfing bliss from the designing mind of English master architect, Donald Steel. A two-time host to The Portuguese Open, this is a track to be enjoyed by all, with the back tees reserved for only the accomplished big hitters.

Penina: Last but not least and in the honor position, the granddaddy of them all - that very first course on The Algarve, designed by Sir Henry Cotton, a man to whom this enchanting corner of Portugal owes a serious debt of gratitude for starting it all. Penina holds its head high as the worthy pioneer of golf on The Algarve and a demanding layout, well worth playing

And just in case you have a few hours to spare away from the courses, remember this is The Algarve and golf is only the beginning. The variety of excellent restaurants is amazing; everything from international haute cuisine to more modest establishments specialized in thoroughly delectable local and regional dishes that are not to be missed. There is a vibrant nightlife for the night birds and for those eager to discover the rich culture of this part of Portugal, an array of historic towns and villages, waiting to be explored.

Ordinary golf vacations can be found practically anywhere, but if you are looking for the extraordinary, The Algarve will be hard to beat. For a few ideas and suggestions on how best to discover this sunny, warm paradise, click here.

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

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