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By David Brice
Golf International Inc.

The wealth of quality golf to be found in Spain and Portugal is often mind-boggling for those discovering it for the first time and the closer they look, the more confusing the picture can become. Is it possible that so many excellent golf courses exist in a place where few even realized there was any golf at all? Believe -- no pinching is needed; the reality is that this is where you will find some of the very best courses in all of Europe.

Regally impressive, Sotogrande has earned its Royal status.

The one name instantly recognized by most golf travelers is Valderrama, the course that brought fame to Spanish golf when it was selected to host the 1997 Ryder Cup, the very first time that the European leg of the event had ever been held outside of Britain. Few know that before this course changed ownership along with its name, it was know as Sotogrande -- New Course, a 1975 design from Robert Trent Jones.

Valderrama started out in life as the second course belonging to the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and the club's premiere layout, Sotogrande --Old Course, was always considered superior. Whether that remains the case today is no longer a question, Valderrama has staunchly held onto its Number One ranking as the best in all of Europe for a dozen years. But Sotogrande Old, now known simply as Sotogrande, isn't far behind and has similarly held onto its own ranking among Europe's Top Ten for no less an impressive period. Play Valderrama and you owe yourself the pleasure of experiencing its older brother as well.

Sotogrande is ranked No. 10 in all Europe.

There are both similarities and differences between the two and personal preferences will usually sway you into favoring one over the other, but discounting the celebrity of the younger sibling, there's not usually a lot in it.

Sotogrande, also designed by Robert Trent Jones, but 11 years earlier in 1965, sits immediately adjacent to Valderrama, sharing similar terrain. Sotogrande also has wide expanses of fairway with hardly any rough to be of concern. This brings plenty of opportunities for the big hitter, providing they can avoid the numerous water hazards, especially evident on the closing holes.

Besides water, the clever placement of bunkers and an abundance of mature trees, the greens are key among Sotogrande's arsenal of defenses. Huge rolling expanses of superbly maintained velvet that are fast and filled with undulations and subtle slopes, mastery of your putting game is essential for a good score.

This is a course with no bad holes, but the real test of golf comes in the stretch of holes extending from the 12th thru the 17th, with water prominent on each. Do well here and you will end your round a very happy golfer.

Vilamoura Old Course is reminiscent of the great British parkland layouts.

If you want to play the best, Sotogrande is a must and although obtaining a visitor time can be difficult on this, one of Spain's most elegant and exclusive golf clubs, the effort will be well rewarded.

Portugal has a similar Valderrama, Sotogrande story, currently playing out at The Algarve's much lauded, Vilamoura golf resort, where no less than 5 championship layouts compete for fame. Vilamoura Old Course, a stunning design from the great Frank Pennink, has long been accepted as the very best of the group, but a young buck, Vilamoura's Victoria Club, now threatens to strip The Old Course of its exalted position.

Victoria hosted the WGC World Cup, within a year of opening in 2005 and just last week hosted the 2007 Portugal Masters, a new event on the regular European Tour, but does this mean the venerable Old Course is over? Not if you listen to Vilamoura's regulars and the locals, all of whom have a deep-seated affection for Pennink's best design ever.

First opened in 1969, this is a true pioneer of golf on The Algarve and probably one of the most interesting layouts along the coast. Reminiscent of the great English parkland courses, The Old is proud of its heritage and obstinately refuses to join the world's ever growing band of Americanized, "target golf" layouts. For any traditionalist, The Old is a dream come true and since a sensitive make over in 1997, a very serious test for even the most accomplished player

Vilamoura's Old -- an old timer that refuses to give up.

The aesthetics are a joy to the eye, with magnificent landscaping and lush vegetation, it maintains a completely natural feeling from start to finish. Mature trees are always present and form a major hazard throughout - always the downfall of wayward hitters.

Filled with variety, this is one of those rare courses that no matter how many times you play it, you will never tire of, presenting a seemingly different challenge every time.

In the most gentlemanly manner, The Old sets you off with a polite introduction to its ways, with a few relatively simple holes, each a little more challenging than the last. By the fourth things begin to get quite serious and although a par 3 of only a touch over 170 yards, this will be the first in a string of very memorable holes.

From the tee, you must navigate a small lake, with a solitary pine tree obstructing your path. Just past the tree sits the first of three bunkers guarding the green -- careful club selection and a good steady shot are paramount to making par.

Designed by Frank Pennink, Vilamoura Old opened in 1969.

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The most testing hole on the course is the par 4, eighth. From the very tight tee your view is down a steep hill, which abruptly turns upward toward the green, with the fairway sloping distinctly to the left, all the way. Fairway bunkers and trees make this a difficult hole on the best of days and close to impossible when the breezes start blowing. Bogey here can be as exhilarating as birdie on most other layouts.

But that's the beauty of Vilamoura Old, it's no ordinary course, instead it brims over with surprises and a little bit of that crusty obstinacy only an old-timer can muster. There is no way this classic should ever take second place to any other layout in Portugal and only by playing it will you experience its determination to surrender to no one. By all means play the Victoria Club, which has qualities of its own, but don't miss playing The Old Course, then determine for yourself, which is better.

For more ideas on playing the very best courses of Spain and Portugal, click here.

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

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