Marina Club Lagos Resort

Within the natural amphitheatre of the Bay of Lagos, Robert Trent Jones II has fashioned Europe’s next great golf course, Palmares Golf. The brief given to this exceptional American golf course designer was to craft a 27-hole golf course which maximised the potential of its extraordinary environment.

The result is a golf course of breathtaking natural beauty which is a delight to play. The course opened 18 holes for play in October 2010 and the full 27 in June 2011 and it has matured nicely.

Robert Trent Jones II designed the golf course with the highest level of international tournament golf in mind as well as a pleasurable golf experience for members and tourists alike. There is plenty of challenge, if that’s what you want – especially from the white tees! Palmares Golf is composed of three returning nine-hole loops that can be played in any sequence.

The genius in the routing is that, depending on the sequence of play, each golf experience is different. Each nine-hole loop – Alvor, Lagos and Praia – has its own character and ambience.

Located within a nature reserve and just five minutes from Lagos, Espiche Clubhouse & Golf is an eco-resort which has been perfectly integrated into the surrounding natural environment and offers a unique and authentic experience in the western Algarve. Preservation, conservation and innovation of resource management are at the heart of Espiche Golf & Clubhouse.  The 18 hole, par 72 golf course was designed to integrate effortlessly into the surrounding Algarve countryside and the indigenous flora and fauna of the area have been preserved, in keeping with the company’s ethos of nature preservation and conservation.  This commitment to maintaining natural resources is one that we believe will allow Espiche Clubhouse & Golf to continuously contribute to a sustainable future. The Espiche Golf Clubhouse, which is also home to the Gecko restaurant, has been awarded internationally for its architecture, design and environmental efficiency, in reference to both the choice of materials used for the building and in its resource management.  The exceptional location of the Clubhouse, situated on top of a hill overlooking the resort, offers breathtaking views across the golf course and the nature reserve.  The views, coupled with the exceptional quality of the food available, makes the Clubhouse a reference for both lovers of golf and those who value the tranquility and beauty of nature itself.

One of the reasons people enjoy playing Boavista is that it's always in first-rate condition. Another is the attractiveness of the course with its far reaching views of the Bay of Lagos to the east and the Monchique mountains to the north. Designed in 2002 by Howard Swan the golf course uses the natural contours of the terrain and as a result it presents plenty of challenge - especially on holes six and eight where you have to hit your ball across a ravine! With two distinctive sections the course offers a variety of holes commencing with the welcoming first hole, a meandering downhill par-4, bordered by beautiful sub-tropical landscaping leading to harmoniously designed properties. The first nine, in general, climb to the highest point of the resort, where a pause at the eighth tee will allow one to experience panoramic views. Subsequent holes descend to an area where water features, streams, lakes and arched bridges, reminiscent of landscaped gardens abound.

Designed by Christy O'Connor Jnr., this course complements the neighbouring Faldo Course and also takes full advantage of being situated in a fertile valley. Its various water features, both lakes and watercourses that are spread throughout the entire course, demand accuracy and test from all golfers, and the rich topsoil has been skillfully landscaped and planted with mature palm trees, affording a lush, ornamental setting like an extensive oasis.  This course has tees that are generally connected to the fairways, but its greater overall distance, the water hazards and big greens provide its challenge. Golfers must also be prepared to read the subtly contoured putting surfaces that are strong features.  Holes 7, 8 and 9, average length par 4's, offer a particular challenge as all three run alongside lakes, so golfers' concentration and accuracy of tee-shots as well as approaches are vital. 3rd and 17th holes are both excellent par 3's.  Two consecutive par 4's, the 14th and 15th with large rolling greens, are tough hurdles to overcome at such a critical stage of the round, and then the finishing hole, 356m off the white tee, requires a precision drive to set up the approach to a two tier green benched into the hillside. Christy's 18th hole brings the course to a fantastic finish, a gentle climb with the river running along the right hand side. 'This hole is a humdinger; once you get up here and look down on the golf course, you will feel you have been blessed.'

Designed by Sir Nick Faldo with strategic play in mind this 6598m PAR 72 championship course demands careful positioning to score well.  "The land at Amendoeira is dramatic and the project has the potential to be a real talking point in the Algarve. With so many courses in the region, that's no mean feat", pointed out Nick Faldo, during his visit in 2007.  In a modern twist of a traditional recipe, cacti and wild herbs replace the role of Sunningdale's heather, spartan Holm oaks and ancient olive trees take the place of a lush English woodland, and desert scrub bunkers of crushed limestone replace Berkshire’s sandy tracts in a golf course that revels in the classic principles of strategic play.