The Algarve's most recent new gems raise the bar a few notches

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Portugal is unquestionably one of the world's most under-rated vacation destinations that still remains virtually unknown to many from this side of the Atlantic Ocean. It's a delightful, small country, filled with character and with a history and culture that reaches back to the beginnings of time. Overflowing with everything that attracts overseas visitors, this is one of those rare countries that captures the heart of everyone fortunate enough to discover it. And golfers are no exception, especially if they visit the southernmost region of the country, The Algarve.

The Eastern Algarve emerges from the shadows with Castro Marim, a stunning design.

This is the epicenter of Portugal's wealth of world-class golf courses, with more than 30 top ranked layouts scattered along a brief, 50-mile stretch of the Western Algarve's picturesque coastline. They extend from the regional capital of Faro to the southwesterly tip of the Portuguese mainland. It's one of the most impressive golf and resort developments that has taken almost half a century to complete. Always sensitive to the negative impacts over-development could bring to the environment, there is a new wave of carefully planned golf development taking place along the Eastern Algarve, between Faro and the Spanish border.

This is an area of unparalleled, natural beauty that has been overlooked by time. Charming fishing villages and ancient small towns dot the countryside, some dating back to the days of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. This is the quiet Algarve, practically untouched by tourism and void of golf courses, until the luxurious Castro Marim Golf & Country Club opened in 2001.

Castro Marim - The Eastern Algarve's pioneer course, and what a beauty

Located close to the medieval town of Castro Marim, the club sits a scant 3 miles from the Spanish border. There are breathtaking views over The Atlantic Ocean, the River Guadiana and neighboring Reserva Natural do Sapal, a 5,000 acre nature reserve, noted for its resident bird population, which includes impressive flocks of flamingoes.

The Atlantic Course is the first of two championship layouts planned for Castro Marim and it's an excellent example of what is now standard fare along the Western Algarve -- an exceptional course that combines wonderful aesthetics with a very serious challenge. The design is from Terry Murrey whose previous design work had been limited to England, but play this thriller just once and you immediately have the impression Mr. Murrey has spent a lifetime designing championship courses on The Algarve -- it's that good.

Castro Marim - The 11th

Quinta do Vale - Seve Ballesteros' new Algarve design.

Opening Day and Seve was on hand to show how it's done.

Quinta do Vale possibly Europe's best new course design of 2008.

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Played from the tips, The Atlantic Course 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 the grasp of mere mortals and a thoroughly enjoyable round will be had by all. Seldom do claims of such wide appeal hold true for any course, but Murrey has done his job well and Castro Marim delivers on its promise.

This is a course for the thinking golfer and it's brains and not brawn that will see you through to a respectable score, but it demands your full attention every step of the way. The Atlantic has a sizeable defense arsenal, which is used effectively and seldom predictably. If you think this is going to be just another resort course, think again. There's a crusty side to this layout and although it never resorts to trickery, it delights in providing more than a few surprises.

Water hazards are plentiful and the bunkering is always strategically placed, often working in combination with the water and producing 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 a plateau green -- it's a roller coaster ride that creates thrills entirely of its own. Unquestionably, Castro Marim is a new golf treasure for Portugal and was an excellent start for golf in the Eastern Algarve.

If Terry Murrey was an unfamiliar name, the designer of nearby, Quinta do Vale will be quickly recognized. Seve Ballesteros was not only one of Europe's most outstanding professional golfers of the 20th century, but in more recent years, has developed into one of Europe's most impressive golf architects as Quinta do Vale apparently attests.

This is still the baby of the Eastern Algarve and at barely a few months old, has yet to be properly tested, however, the initial reports from those that have played it are very encouraging. It seems that Seve may have pulled it off and rumor has it that the 7,162 yard monster called Quinta do Vale is in the running to be named the best new European course of 2008. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the course, Seve Ballesteros and the Eastern Algarve.

There's no doubt the design is impressive with 6 par-5's, 6 par-4's and 6 par-3's. The wide fairways contain plenty of doglegs and water is in bountiful supply, coming into play on half of the holes. Always a top bunker player when he was on tour, Ballesteros has been more than generous in providing an ample supply of them here. Problem is they are deeper than is usual and used very effectively to guard the greens which are very well contoured and many are multi-tiered as well. Seems that just as in Seve's previous life, and his innate ability to extricate himself from the most serious of problems, combined with a good short game and some talent with the putter, will go a long way toward most of us achieving a decent score at Quinta do Vale.

The Eastern Algarve has made its grand entrance onto The Algarve's golfing scene and has already proved that golf here will be a match for even the very best of the opposite end of this sun drenched coast. Better get there soon and be among the first to savor some top quality new courses. For a few ideas on how, click here.

©2008 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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