Lagos Golf

P.G.A. Palmares Tournament

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Hugo Santos and António Rosado, Portuguese National Champions 2012 and 2009, respectively, left this afternoon, a shared leadership, for the second and final round of the PGA Optilink Open, the tournament five thousand euros in prize money, the PGA of Portugal has been organizing the renewed and paradisiacal Onyria Palmares Beach & Golf Resort in Lagos, Algarve.

Both Algarvian players clearly revealed a superior rhythm game because they have been since February competing in Jamega Pro Golf Tour (British) circuit , serving the PGA Portuguese Team, and were the only pair to beat the course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., with a first round in 69 strokes, 3 below par.
“It’s great to be competing close to home, with a very good weather and a great field! I had a great day “commented Hugo Santos, 32 years old , a clear reference to the advantages of golf in the Algarve , after being two weeks in England under weather conditions much more complicated.

Hugo Santos is No. 1 on the Order of Merit “Golf Tee Times Tour Operator “ after the recent victory at Quinta do Peru PGA Open, and Tó Rosado being the second on this ranking PGA of Portugal.

Onyria Palmares, 10th November 2012

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Last week’s event at Pinhal was cancelled due to bad weather which continued resulting in one of the heaviest downpour ever seen in the Algarve on Tuesday 6th. Our day at Palmares was a dry one except for a couple of holes at the beginning of the day.

This was another 27 hole event taking in all the three loops of the fabulous Onyria Palmares golf course near Lagos. It was an early start today as our first tee was at 09.00 as it was the intention to play right through in a better ball pairs stableford format. At the end of each nine we switched playing opponents to add some variety. The best two nines were added together for a combined score. A new style format enjoyed by all. The course was in great shape with some of the fastest greens we have played on for a longtime.

Many remember with fondest memories the old Palmares with its Almond Blossom trees but Robert Trent Jones II new version is magnificent and a worthy predecessor. If you have not played it yet do make the effort.

1st: Jim Kearney & Deidre Kearney: 41pts

2nd: Clive Davies & Simon D Turner: 39pts

Nearest The Pin:

Praia 21st: Gudren Loehr

Praia 26th: Robin Prescott

Espiche – Wednesday 25th April – Pairs Betterball

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The newest course to open in the Algarve, Espiche has been 17 years in the making and opened with a soft launch 15th February ’12. It is located on the north side of Lagos, beyond Boavista and through the town of its own name.

Espiche Golf is a monitored course on an environmental programme linked to the University of the Algarve and various departments within the Algarve’s Commission for Regional Development (CCDRA). The land on which it is built is classified as an Ecological Reserve and made of a geological structure of a karst rock (lime stone) which has a water lens aquifer below it.

Designed by South African golf course architect Peter Sauerman Espiche has been laid down on a hilly terrain thick with natural indigenous undergrowth. The fairways make full use of the natural undulating slopes and hollows and are flanked on occasions on both sides by rough – once in then a shot out is unlikely.

The front nine is more sheltered from the elements with the back nine the harder to play as it climbs to the crest of the hill and into the wind. Wild countryside views all around add to the beauty of the course with natural stone walls cleverly placed within view and in play. Calcada buggy paths take the strain off the course weaving their way from green to tee.
Buggies and electric trolleys are limited so best reserve at time of reservation. There are ample pull trolleys.

The Society assembled at Parkies Cafe for breakfast and set off in good time for a tee off time of 11:30. If you were to take the old EN125 road or the toll road A22 motorway it is going to take the best part of an hour to reach to reach Espiche from Vilamoura. Toll for a small car is around €11.00 return.

Reports had been received that the greens were in poor shape but all 15 players insisted on trying this latest addition to the Algarve. A pairs betterball was chosen as the format of the day – probably a good decision as no one really knew where we were going and the course looked quite challenging!

Facilities are basic with the clubhouse scheduled to be built later in the year so we gathered in Espiche town for post game refreshments and nibbles. Everyone enjoyed the course commenting on its layout and views – many would return again once the greens were sorted. Eight of the group then headed off to Guia for a piri-piri chicken dinner.

1st: David Bowles & Carlos Ferreira: 38pts

2nd: Roland Russell & Bob Walker: 35pts

Nearest The Pin (7th): Bob Walker