Portugal's Algarve Coast -- World Class golf in profusion

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To most golfers, it's impossible to have too much golf, or even too many golf courses to choose which you will play, or is it? If Portugal's sunny Algarve Coast is in your travel future, as well it should be, unless you are planning to spend a month in this golf paradise, be prepared to be confronted with some very difficult choices - more than 30 in all and so much more to see and do away from the golf courses

Benamor Golf, sits in the shadows of a century old church

Penina's Championship Course - where The Algarve's golf history began, remains one of the very best courses

Palmares, opened in 1976, is one of The Algarves most attractive courses

Castro Marim offers 27 holes of remarkable golf and a full range of other resort activities

Quinta do Vale - a stunning new Algarve layout from Seve Ballesteros

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With more than 30 golf courses to choose between, all located along a brief, 90 mile stretch of knock-dead gorgeous coastline, choices will have to be made and it won't be easy. These are all world-class layouts and make a showcase of some of the very best course designs of the past 40 years and practically all by top-drawer architects. It's one of the best collections of quality golf in existence, with not a single mediocre course among them.

But for those of us who don't get a months vacation and have to settle for a somewhat shorter annual escape from the hum-drum of our working lives, we'll have to whittle the 30 options down to a size to suit our vacation time.

Over the course of the next few months we will be taking a look at each of the layouts that make their home on The Algarve, providing a short, thumbnail sketch of them all. The hope is to make it just a tad easier to choose the half dozen or so that are best suited to you, your skill levels and tolerance for challenge. This is not a ranking list and courses will be presented in a totally random order and as objectively as I am able and for the benefit of those who are fortunate enough to have a golf trip to southern Portugal in their future.

Out of respect for the elder statesman of golf on The Algarve, I offer Penina, the granddaddy of golf on this sun-blessed coast and the masterful design of the great Sir Henry Cotton as the lead into this first glimpse at golf on The Algarve.

Penina Golf and Resort Hotel first opened in 1966 and although the course has been freshened up during recent years, the integrity of Cotton's original design has been maintained admirably. Penina's Championship Course is still the gem it was on opening day and a layout deserving of being on every visitors must play list. Long and tough from the back tees, move further forward and this is one that can be tackled by high handicappers, though the test remains.

Penina takes on something of a British character, with mature trees and innumerable bunkers that make accuracy a key requirement. Reach the generous greens safely and you will be home and dry.

Penina also boasts an excellent golf academy, complete with it's own 18-hole course, specifically designed for those working on their golf talents. The Resort Course is a third 18-holer, designed with the intermediate player in mind and presenting a thoroughly enjoyable challenge. The Resort Course also provides an excellent warm-up round, prior to tackling the main attraction. Stay at the 5-star, Penina Resort Hotel and you will have selected one of the most congenial and informal deluxe properties on the coast. Very much a golfers hotel with a delightful, club-like atmosphere, the beach and an array of off-course activities are all only steps from the front door.

Palmares Golf is a thoroughly delightful layout from the drawing board of another fabled English architect, Frank Pennink combining some links characteristics with parkland. This is a handsome layout that manages to charm all players, regardless of their skill levels, providing a thoroughly enjoyable round for all.

Five holes run alongside the Atlantic, providing all the thrills of a links, with the remainder rambling around some delightful, mature parkland. This is one of those courses that reminds you, golf is only a game and games are supposed to be enjoyed, so enjoy this beauty to the fullest.

Castro Marim Golf & Country Club -- The Atlantic Course is one of the most recent additions to The Algarve Golf Collection, located on the undeveloped, Eastern end of the region, close to the Spanish border, but still readily accessible to everything. Castro Marim's Atlantic Course lost little time in impressing the European golfing crowd. The test is nothing less than stern from the back tees and a true test of abilities, however from the forward tees the course mellows out, making it thoroughly playable by the high handicappers, just be prepared for at least a little bit of frustration. Always be wary of any course that claims to appeal to players of all levels, but in this case, Castro Marim delivers on the promise. This is an exceptional layout with a great future ahead.

Quinta do Vale Golf is Seve Ballesteros' first design in Portugal and he has done himself and The Algarve proud with a brilliant design that is destined to be quickly ranked among Europe's best. Located just a few miles from Castro Marim, if you are playing one, then you should play both to see which of these two cracker-jack layouts you consider as the better -- but it won't be an easy decision.

If you like variety in a course, Quinta do Vale is a layout you can only fall in love with. There are 6 par-5's, 6 par-4's and 6 par-3's, plenty of doglegs and no shortage of water hazards, which come into play on half the holes. Seve was always an expert bunker player and his affection for bunkers comes through loud and clear here with a generous helping of them, all strategically placed around the course. Problem is they are far deeper than usual and used very effectively to guard the well-contoured greens. If you have similar short game talents as Seve, this is a course you could do well at, if not, grin and bear it, no matter which way you view the course - it's a corker and a very worthy addition to The Algarve's inventory.

That's our brief introduction to all of The Algarve's impressive golf collection and there will be another half dozen or so covered next month and by New Year's, all 30 will have been covered. Be on the lookout for them and you too can be an expert on golf on The Algarve.

If you can't wait and would like more details on all The Algarve has to offer, click here.

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

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