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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

A couple of years ago, Portugal's Algarve region was voted "The World's Best Golf Destination" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators -- a global group of golf travel professionals who know their subject well. While the award may have come as a surprise to those not familiar with Portugal's sunny south coast, to those who are, it was a well-deserved honor.

Castro Marim -- The Algarve's latest prize addition.

Over a period of less than half a century, The Algarve Coast has quietly grown to prominence as one of Europe's foremost vacation destinations, with a special focus on golf. A 150-mile stretch of stunningly beautiful Atlantic shoreline, the region boasts not only more than 30 world class golf courses, but an idyllic, year round climate that encourages golf to be enjoyed from January until December. It's a golfers dream come true, yet only four decades ago there wasn't a single course to be found along a coast that seems to be God-given, with only golf in mind.

A late bloomer when compared to other countries more closely associated with the game's 600-year history, this was The Algarve's good fortune and one of the many reasons why golf in the region is of such a consistently high quality.

The 1960's were the beginnings of global concerns regarding the environment, the importance of planned tourism development and the preservation of Mother Nature's handiwork. Sensitive to all of these issues, the regional Algarve government joined with the private sector to become actively involved in the thoughtful, pragmatic planning of a golfing infrastructure - and 40 years on, that care and attention shows.

Castro Marim's tricky fairways are a challenge.

Eager to associate themselves with this exciting new approach to golf, top designers have flocked to The Algarve ever since, to be a part of the region's inevitable rise to golf stardom -- Henry Cotton, Ronald Fream, Rocky Roquemore, William Mitchell, Joseph Lee, Donald Steel, Frank Pennink and Arnold Palmer among them.

Fully matured, The Algarve is now a regular stop for the players on The European Tour and courses such as San Lorenzo, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura and Penina among others, are not only hosting major international tournaments, but have earned their way onto the prestigious ranking of Europe's best courses. The future for The Algarve and its golf is even more promising.

Avoiding over saturation and maintaining the high standards set over the past 40 years, careful development continues in The Algarve's measured approach to building its golf inventory. Attention has moved from the golf rich, central Algarve to the eastern part, extending some 35 miles from the capital of Faro to the border with Spain.

Elevation changes and water add to the thrill.

This is an area of unparalleled, natural beauty that has been overlooked by time. Charming fishing villages and historic small towns dot the countryside, some dating back to the days of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. This is the quiet Algarve, virtually untouched by tourism and void of golf courses until the luxurious Castro Marim Golf & Country Club opened in 2000.

Sitting a scant 3 miles from the Spanish border, the superb site enjoys breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean, the River Guadiana and neighboring Reserva Natural do Sapal, a 5,000 acre nature reserve, noted for its large variety of bird species, including impressive flocks of flamingoes.

The Atlantic Course is the first of two championship layouts planned for Castro Marim and an excellent example of what has become standard golf fare along The Algarve, exceptional courses that combine wonderful aesthetics with a testing challenge. Played from the tips, The Atlantic provides a stern enough test for even scratch golfers, but with a selection of tees, played from the forward positions, this handsome layout comes within grasp of the average golfer and a thoroughly enjoyable round will be had by all. Seldom do claims of such wide appeal hold true for courses, but The Atlantic really does deliver on the promise.

Raised greens and shrewd bunkering are part of the test.

This is a course for the thinking golfer and it's brains and not brawn that will see you through with a respectable score, but attention needs to be paid from start to finish. The Atlantic has a sizeable arsenal of defenses, always using them effectively and never quite as most will anticipate. If you think this is going to be just another resort course, think again. There is a crusty side to the layout and although it never resorts to trickery, it delights in providing variety and more than a few surprises.

Water hazards are plentiful, though never overdone and the bunkering, always strategically positioned and often working in combination with water, presents some demanding situations. But perhaps it's the amazing contouring of the fairways and the constant elevation changes that offer the greatest ongoing challenge.

One minute a downhill gallop from an elevated tee to the green below, the next an uphill climb to reach a plateau'd green, creates something of a roller coaster ride. For all but the very fittest, this is a course where a buggy is highly recommended.

Adding the final touch of zest to an already spicey dish are the sea breezes from the ocean that pop up when least expected, bringing one more consideration into the equation.

By the time the welcoming 19th hole is reached, there will definitely be a feeling of accomplishment, exhilaration and that special satisfaction known only to golfers. You have just had the privilege of doing battle with Castro Marim's Atlantic Course, a very worthy addition to The Algarve's impressive collection of golf layouts. No doubt it has a great future ahead.

For a few ideas on how to include some of The Algarve's very best courses on your Portuguese golf trip, click here.

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

Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.