Amendoeira Golf Resort, Algarve
Amendoeira Golf Resort, located in the district of Silves, just 35 minutes from Faro Airport, is the newest addition to the quality golf available in the Algarve.
Silves is a region steeped in history, occupied by the Romans, and later the Moors, Silves became a prosperous town, rivalling Lisbon as a centre of culture. There are many fascinating remains including a 15th Century Cathedral and 5th Century Castle. Today Silves is a thriving town with many bars and restaurants serving traditional local cuisine.
Amendoeira Golf Resort is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty with the magnificent backdrop of the Monchique Mountains, rolling hills, verdant valleys of almond, olive and carob trees. It is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including over 50 species of birds. The existing habitats have been well protected, thus encouraging the proliferation of wildlife.
The resort is home to the Algarve's newest courses, Faldo & O'Connor. There is a joint clubhouse with is extremely grand and enjoys a wonderful location overlooking both courses.
Faldo Course
Possessing a very different feel to other courses on the Algarve, it is clear very early on in your round that Faldo can certainly build a golf course!
The opening 4 holes are truly excellent with a long Par 4 to start followed by a Par 3 with a green so large you couldn't miss it (almost). The third and fourth are very testing risk and reward holes. The Par 3s are all fun with only the 7th being possibly just a little too long.
Other memorable holes include the 8th, 12th 13th and 17th. The 13th in particular is a fantastic hole. For those of you who think you hit a good ball can go back to the tournament tee - at 613 metres you can really open your shoulders on this one! The designer does like you to play the right club into the greens and there are of course penalties if you don't.
The rough is not too penal and quite pleasant, if that is the right word, to play out of. The rough around the green does make for a tough short game but this is standard and the greens may be a little hard at the moment, perhaps to be expected on a new course.
The only downside of the Faldo course is the water hazards that have been included around the course by Nicholas Alexander.
They do not give the definition the concept originally envisaged due to a of lack of water, but you can't blame Faldo for that!
Take a look at what Faldo said about the project.
O'Connor Course
Due to open on the 13th October, this course has some very attractive holes with water and streams cutting across them and you also have fairways that you could land a jumbo jet on! Helping to offer an easier day of golf.
If you would like to play either of these impressive new courses as part of your golfing holiday, then call us now on 0845 600 3391