Golf in Vale do Lobo

Vale Do Lobo Ocean GC – Saturday 31st March ’12. Weekly Competition

Posted on by

Play Vale Do Lobo Ocean and you will rarely have a special view ahead of you; it is probably more spectacular than its sister course The Royal. Essentially the front nine is new Ocean and the back part the original layout. Either way you play it is a treat so no wonder we had another good turnout of x14 players again for the competition today.

Special welcome to newcomers Brian Norris and Clive Hill who had been playing a San Lorenzo tournament the week before.

Rain had finally arrived in the Algarve this week much to the delight of the golf courses who have experienced a very dry winter todate. The greens whilst adundant with grass were slow and uneven – not usually a Vale Do Lobo trait. The morning rain subsided to leave us playing once again under blue skies and sunshine.

1st: Simon D Turner (h/c 15): 31pts (13+18)

2nd: Clive Hill (h/c 13): 31pts (14+17)

3rd: Tommy Jensen (h/c16): 30pts (12+18)

4th: Igor.Jnr (h/c 28): 30pts (13+17)

Nearest The Pin (7th): Uncontested

Vale do Lobo Royal – Saturday 11th February. Weekly Competition

Posted on by

The first game after the return from the trip to Lisbon saw the Society return back to Vale Do Lobo this time to take on the majestic Royal course. There was once again another good turn out with x21 players taking part under clear blue skies and sunshine.

The whole group had all teed off by 1.10pm thereby ensuring we were to finish easily within daylight accessing its twilight rate of just €55.00. Some good scores at the turn indicated that a stableford par round was a distinct possibility and this turned out to be the case with a fine performance by Robin Prescott to clinch first prize by one point with 38pts.

Two nearest the pin competitions this week though the one at the infamous 16th was slightly tongue in cheek. A few near but no one reached the green. The course was in good condition considering the dry spell we are still experiencing here in the Algarve.

After the game we chased back to Parkies Bar for nibbles and refreshments and to catch the six nation rugby match. Another good day had by all.

1st: Robin Prescott (h/cap 15): 38pts

2nd: Dave Askew (h/cap 11): 37pts

3rd: Christer Bergquist (h/cap 15): 34pts

Nearest The Pin 7th: Peter Vaughan

Nearest The Pin 16th: Uncontested

Vale Do Lobo Ocean – Saturday 14th Jan ’12. Weekly Competition

Posted on by

As we all know the English like to talk about the weather but it is justified to mention it in this report. December had simply been fabulous with dry sunny conditions throughout whilst January has continued a similiar theme. Consequently many courses are now having to irrigate at a time normally when the sprinkler systems are run at a mininum and as they depend on mother nature to do the rest.

It was a great start to 2012 with 26 players keen to take on the spectacular Vale Do Lobo Ocean course beneath clear blue skies. We availed ourselves of the twilight rate and got preferential early tee times – the group easily got round in daylight. The course was in fine condition and presented a tough challenge and this was reflected in the overall scores many of which were sub 25pts.

Tough ‘Nearest The Pin’ selection today – the tricky elevated green of the 135mts 13th hole.

A couple of the members were seen talking to golf architect Rocky Roquemore in the VDL clubhouse that morning. Famed for many a masterpiece that incudes San Lorenzo, Quinta Da Ria, Quinta Da Cima and Golden Eagle and Belas in just Portugal alone. He was responsible for the remodelling of the Ocean course after the original blueprint laid down by Sir Henry Cotton.

We assembled back at Parkies as usual for post drinks refreshment and nibbles – our thanks once again to Dell & his team.