Vale do Lobo Golf

Vale do Lobo Ocean – Saturday 8th October ’11- Weekly Competition

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When we last played Vale Do Lobo Ocean in May the Society said it would return back later in the year. October is ‘high season’ and with the closure of the Oceanico Victoria course for the forthcoming Portuguese Masters it is getting busier on resort.

Situated on the very edge of the coastline with fairways running down to the beach it really is a spectacular course. Remodelling a few years ago has seen the course improve and special note must be made of the 9th hole. Crafted from nothing this new hole is a fabulous addition with its cascading water on the right ready to trap any stray ball to a narrowing double tier green.

Perfect weather greeted the ensemble of 24 players made up of many new players and some faces the Society have not seen for awhile. Pace of play was slow but what better place to enjoy the scenery than the spectacular Ocean course. Individual stableford was the format of play with a Nearest the Pin and a 2’s competition this week though only one was achieved on the day.

1st: Carlos Ferreira (h/c 12): 32pts

2nd: Bob Hill (h/c 18): 28pts

3rd: Shane Hall (h/c 8): 26pts

Nearest The Pin: Carlos Ferreira

2’s club: Carlos Ferreira

Pinheiros Altos – Saturday 24th September. Weekly Competition

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The Society welcomed two new players this week Debbie Wilson & Clare Daniel who drove up to the Algarve after playing La Manga the previous week so as to make our ensemble to 11 players, at Pinheiros Altos.

Our last visit in May saw the Society play the Oliveiras & Pinheiros loops, on this occasion it was Oliveiras (Olives) & Sobreiros (Pines). For those still unfamiliar with the names ‘Oliveiras ’was the original 1-9 lakes holes whilst the ‘Sobreiros’ holes consist of a re-sculpted 6th & 7th, four of the new holes and finishing off with original 7th, 8th & 9th.

Should you find yourself in the new part of the course take care; it is very easy to play the wrong holes and out of sequence!. In tournament play this would result in disqualification. The course was in fine form apart from a couple of tees and the greens their usual quick pace. ‘We’ll definitely be back!’ says Debbie.

Once again we returned back to Parkies Bar for post drink refreshments and some fresh pizza. Next week we return back to Vale Do Lobo.

1st: Shane Hall (h/c 8) – 34pts

2nd: Robin Prescott (h/c 14) – 32 pts

Nearest The Pin (Oliveiras 8th) – Mary Strutt

Vale Do Lobo Royal – Saturday 9th July 2011 Weekly Competition

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The Society said it would return back to Vale Do Lobo after playing both its courses in April.

The Royal is characterised by undulating fairways, white expansive bunkers all set amidst pine trees and beautiful lakes it is a true golfing treat. It has altered a great deal in its layout since Henry Cotton crafted it in the 1970’s, however, in 1997 it underwent a remodelling but the cliff hole is still its signature – now the 16th. It is a veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve as well as being reptuably the most photographed hole in Europe and probably is!

It was a busy day with a large corporate golf day on the Ocean course whilst other visitors and members were booked on its sister course. The Society were able to negotiate special terms of just €41.00 – fabulous value for a course as good as this. So unsurprisingly a strong field of 15 players turned up for our singles stableford competition. Congratulations to Rod Griffiths, whose card I marked, and Frazer Graham for some fine scoring whilst the rest of us were sub thirty points.

The Old Course next competition day Friday 15th July.

1st: Rod Griffiths (h/c 18): 37pts

2nd: Frazer Graham (h/c 11): 36pts

3rd: Shane Hall (h/c 9): 29pts