GOLF AND SAILING IN THE ALGARVE
Not only is the Algarve a great place for a family holiday, many hundreds of Britons fly in to play on some of the finest golf courses in continental Europe. It all started in 1966 when Henry Cotton built and opened Penina and since then over 30 more courses have been constructed. Some of the greatest names in golf have designed courses in the Algarve including Arnold Palmer, Dave Thomas and Donald Steel. However, it is not all about championship golf – there are many first class “local” courses to suit all playing levels as well as five 9 hole courses.
Top class golf can be found at the 72 holes at Vale de Lobo and Quinta de Lago; San Lorenzo is regularly in Europe’s “top 10”; Jack Nicklaus has recently opened his first signature course at Monte Rei near Tavira with a second to follow and new courses coming on include those designed by Nick Faldo, Christy O’Connor Jnr and Seve Ballesteros. Vilamoura has six courses alone: including Vila Sol – twice the venue for the Portuguese Open, and Victoria, home of the 2005 World Cup and Portuguese Masters.
With courses from Parque de Floresta in the west to Castro Marim in the east, with sea and/or mountain views, the 100 miles of the southern Algarve offers a fantastic variety of golf to suit all abilities and pockets.
Another great recreation in the area is “messing about in boats” whether they are small dinghies or fabulous ocean going cruisers. There are 6 marinas in the Algarve: at Lagos, Portimao, Vilamoura, Albufeira, Faro and Vila Real de Santo Antonio offering literally thousands of berths between them and associated land based facilities.
Anchorages are available from Sagres in the west to Tavira in the east. The Portuguese have always been a seafaring nation – Prince Henry the Navigator founded the School of Navigation in the 15th century near Sagres – and this is reflected by the fine marinas and anchorages all along the coast.
