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Oceanico (Old), Portugal |
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Oceānico Golf
Apartado 970
8126-912 Vilamoura
Portugal |  | Frank Pennink and remodelled by Martin Hawtree (1996) |  | Joaquim Sequeira |
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The Algarve region stretches out over more than 200 kilometres of southern Portuguese coastline, from the Spanish border in the east to the Costa Vicentina in the west. The sheltered marshes and sand dunes of the east change into wonderful beaches protected by beautiful cliffs as you move westwards along the coast, before reaching the dramatic rocks and hidden caves of the wilder Atlantic coast. More than 70 per cent of the Algarve coastline is protected nature reserves, which play host to large numbers of migrating birds in spring and autumn.
The coastal town of Vilamoura is situated in a perfect central location and the visitor will soon appreciate why it is arguably Europe's largest and most successful golfing destination. The climate, landscape and on and off course facilities are all perfect for year-round golf. In fact, the governing bodies in the area are so keen to ensure that the golfer is satisfied whilst at the same time respecting the local Portuguese people and supporting the indigenous flora and fauna that all of the Vilamoura courses are the first in the world to be environmentally certified by the ISO 14001 standard.
A gem in this Portuguese golfing Utopia is the Old course now operated by Oceānico Golf who own one of Europe's biggest portfolios of courses and it's the second oldest course in the Algarve, designed by Frank Pennink. The Old opened for play in 1969 and has undeniably remained one of Portugal's and Europe's finest courses ever since. Pennink wanted to build a course in the Algarve that would remind the rapidly growing number of British travellers of the great inland courses back home, something he has admirably succeeded in achieving. To ensure the Vilamoura Old course maintained this enviable position, in 1997 Hawtree & Sons managed a significant amount of upgrading and remodelling, which also included the installation of a sophisticated new irrigation system.
As with so many of the best courses, there was little need to perform major earthwork feats to develop Oceānico Old, just a simple, sympathetic use of the existing natural contouring, terrain and vegetation. The tees are always beautifully kept; the fairways are wonderfully crafted and tree-lined, making straight driving crucial; the greens small, especially on the par three holes, and the hazards perfectly placed to catch the errant stroke.
Rather unusually, the course par is set at 73; however, the course layout was changed by swapping the 5th and 18th holes around, reducing the number of par fives on the back nine to three.
Every hole will stay with the player after a round, such is the majesty of Oceānico Old. Almost lulling players into a false sense of security, the first four holes are relatively straightforward as long as your drive finds the fairway. The 5th is a cracking short hole over a lake to a small, sloping green. The rest of the front nine call for total concentration, and careful shot and club selection. The par five 6th may offer up a birdie from the daily tees but only to the best of drives and long iron or fairway wood approaches to a sloping, well-guarded green. Undoubtedly the pick of the front nine and probably of the entire round is the SI 1 8th hole. Playing 400-plus metres from the Medal tee, the hole slopes down hill to a fairway bunker, doglegs gently to the right and then rises back up to a narrow green well protected by trees all around. A par here is a rare and wonderful event.
Things don't get any easier on the back nine. The 10th, 11th and 12th holes test the golfer's range of shots and accuracy off the tee. Watch out for the collection of fairway bunkers on the 12th: they are large, deep and perfectly placed to catch a player's second shot on this 480-metre par five. The 16th is the last of the par fives and at more than 500 metres, it will call for three excellent shots to a narrow green protected by three large bunkers.
As befits a course of this quality, a well-designed and refined clubhouse and restaurant complement the excellent Oceānico Old course, allowing the golfer to sit back, relive the round and enjoy the attention and service from the always-friendly staff. | |
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 |  | | Average Reviewers Score: |  | | | I have been fortunate to play many beautiful and testing courses the world over. Without a shadow of doubt, The Old Course falls into this category. I will ashamedly admit it beat me. I must have hit a tree on every hole! which by the 17th had my playing partner reduced to his knees in laughter. This said it is a true test, course management a must. Next May I will seek revenge. |
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| 17 May 2013
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| | There's always a sense of a slight buzz in the mini buses as our group make the annual jaunt to the old course, the only course in the region that has stayed in our itinary since our first trip here 8 years ago. Arriving at the humble club is liking stepping back to the 60's with its old style clubhouse, very small changing rooms and the old fashioned chairs and tables that front the clubhouse. You realise you're back in 2012 when you notice the scandalous prices of merchandise in the shop, 102euros for a simple looking polo shirt.. After last years very wet deluge during our whole round last year we were hoping for at least no rain this time but yet again lightning strikes twice as the heavens once again opened during our round. Care is needed on the paths as they're extremely slippery when wet. The shortish 1st is a favourite of mine, fantastic view down right to the flag which invites one to get the big dog out and hit it as far as you can but as i've learnt, getting the driver out isn't the best option, this course favours course management and plotting. Unfortunately for the first time our 4 ball round was marred by the extremely slow 2 duffers in the 4ball group in front of us. Waiting for 10 minutes to tee off in the rain on the 11th tee isn't much fun. To cap it all off ,on the 12th, one them after searching fruitlessly in the woods for his ball reappeared on the fairway and dropped a ball and continued pointlessly playing while we were waiting on the tee to drive! Favourite holes are the par 3's 4th and 6th, short par 4 9th and the par 5's 12th and 16th. Maybe conditioning is not as good as a few years back but it's a fun course to play and hopefully the sun will be out next year but i hope not the 4ball we had in front of us this year! |
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| 30 November 2012
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| | It's a great course that is for sure. You had better be straight or you will become very familiar with Umbrella pine trees. It is a course that is consistently enjoyable and challenging, greater than the sum of it's parts. The holes themselves are well designed and eminently playable and challenging with out any wow factor or gimmicks. It is a stately and elegant grand old dame of a course. Although it could do with a hair cut, (slow greens), it certainly would not benefit from a face lift and implants! We enjoyed this course enormously. Very similar in style to Valderrama we thought, just not quite as good. JCB Lay |
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| 12 November 2012
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| | My last visit in Algarve took place 6 years ago, and the only course I played under the rain was the Old Course. I thought I would revisit this time and hope for nicer weather. Which fortunately was the case! As for the course, disappointing is the first word that comes to mind. The course itself probably only deserves a 3 ball rating in my books, but the area is so lovely and well maintained that I've gone for a 4 ball rating. The place is in good shape, but the greens are desperately slow (in fairness, as were the greens in all courses I played while in Algarve: the ransom of success I guess, the courses are so crowded that they would be destroyed in no time if they were cut too low). And worse, the holes look all very similar! After finishing my round, I could barely recall half of them, that must tell you something. I played in great company, but felt bored on a number of holes. That's maybe a bit harsh, but it didn't happen for me there, still can detail exactly why. Cedric |
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| 07 October 2012
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| | Fabulous course, a little bit of Surrey transported to Portugal. You need to be straight and putt well - what golf is all about. The best course in Portugal by a mile. |
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| 14 October 2011
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| | After constant rain for 2 hours we decided to play and course was in great condition for our first round in Portugal. Played off back tees making it hard and a real challenge of golf. The trees give each hole individuality and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience, all hitting drivers into the downhill par 3 against the wind! Felt the clubhouse and changing rooms lacked the wow factor but hence old course! Definitely more of a challenge and better condition than Vale do Lobo which we played on day 2. Will revisit next year. |
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| 10 June 2011
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| | Just got back from Vilamoura and had a great day on the Old Course. Come on guys, this is a great course and now back to its very best. Many great holes and all in great condition. Yes, there are trees everywhere, but take your medicine and chip out. The 'hero shot' through the small gap in the trees doesn't work...I know, been there, done that! Only one issue, why on such a great course is the last a stroke index 3. Straight hole and the poorest of all. You must play the Old Course. |
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| 11 March 2011
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| Response: | | | Dazza | 29 May 2011 | | Just want to clear this up the just played the Old Course and it's in immacualte condition right now, Greens are slick and hold shots into them from long range not just wedges. This is a tight course and rewards good tee shots altough i played this course of the back tees playing off 4 hdcp. i would play this course anyday of the week but only after 15:30 (Twilight) and is 60 euro's as it's 105 euros before that. People who say this course is not that good must of played badly on the day they played, expensive to play then i'd agree totally with on that one. |
| | | Just back from a golf trip to the Algarve that included a round at the Old Course. To be honest, anyone giving this a six-ball rating must either play mostly on a council course, or else suffer from the disease rife among golfers that a course that's been around a long time has to be a classic. I did enjoy this course - it is interesting, scenic, and very well maintained. It is something of a different challenge too, with more trees than I've ever seen in my life, plus a series of greens with raises and contours that encourages direct pin hitting. But for my money no holes stood out in particular, meaning it isn't a classic course.
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| 31 May 2010
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| | Played this course for the second time recently and enjoyed it significantly more than the first time, primarily because we played it from the back tees. From the back tees, it is an entirely different proposition. Each hole seems to be framed slightly differently and the course just flows that much better. For example, you are much less likely to be penalised for hitting what you think is a good drive only to find it has run through the fairway. What might be classed as weaker holes from the yellow tees (such as the 5th, 7th, 17th and, especially, 18th) suddenly become much tougher prospects with tricky approaches with a longer iron in your hand. One downside to our round this time though was that despite the overall splendid conditioning of the course, the greens were fairly ropey and certainly not up to the standard of the excellent greens that we'd played the previous days at Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. |
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| 28 April 2010
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| | Played the Old Course on a golf trip a couple of weeks back. Great course but unfortunately not in great shape. Best of the Oceanico courses but needs better conditioning. |
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| 25 April 2010
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| | Love this course. I don't like many tree-lined course but this is brilliant. I really like the short par 4, 9th which requires thought and imagination. The course suits the accurate player who can putt well. |
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| 20 March 2010
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| | A lovely course, I agree, but getting increasingly busy and expensive meaning there are courses which are equally as good available at a more attractive price. Some truly memorable holes, the pick for me being the par-3 4th with an umbrella pine and a small pond guarding the front of the green. The course has a really nice feel about it, meandering through the trees, with accuracy off the tee a must. We visit the Algarve annually for a few days' golf, and whilst I love the Old it is no longer on our list every year because of the numbers they try and squueze onto the course. A shame, because it is well worth a visit, although to say it makes Victoria look like a "pitch and putt" is utter nonsense - the latter is not on the European Tour roster for nothing, and is a far better test of your all-round game. |
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| 20 February 2010
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| | I'm sorry but the Old course is not the best in the Algarve. I must say it is the best out of the Oceanico courses in Vilamoura but they are very poor and over played (the weather just makes them seem better). Victoria course built for competions but just like courses in the Middle East there's no scenery. The problem is that many people dont want to travel outside Vilamoura where there are far better courses. Monte Rei should be higher than the Old course and the new courses of the Oceanico Group Faldo and O'Connor Ive heard are very good will play next year. So I recommend before marking this course so high play Monte Rei (if you think to expensive just dont play any of the courses at villmoura you wont regret it) |
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| 02 November 2009
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| Response: | | | Andy | 30 December 2009 | | Our 2010 rankings echo your views - Monte Rei is the new no.1 course in Portugal. |
| | | As many others have said, along with San Lorenzo the pick of the Algarve. Not overly hard, but very interesting holes and the course rewards good play and punishes bad. And the clubhouse is lovely. |
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| 21 June 2009
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| Response: | | | Steven Todd | 03 August 2009 | | Played the course last week and in my opinion is the best in the Vilamoura area. Course was in great condition and managed to hire a set of clubs and buggy for 55 euros (booked through agency). Please note that standards are very high and golf shoes are a must and my 10 year old who only sat in the buggy had to borrow a t-shirt with a collar. | | | Skippy M | 22 September 2009 | | I agree a lovely course but this year (I play it almost annually) it was not immaculate. No doubt that the South Course at Quinta do Lago is the best course in the area now - a party of 8 low handicappers all agree with me | | | steven dobinson | 24 September 2009 | | An absolute beauty - makes Victoria look like a pitch and putt !!! |
| | | Played course last week and was superb. Course was in amazing condition and every hole had something about it that made it difficult. Tree lined all way means you must hit fairways and sometimes it had to be the correct side as the greens are also protected by trees and large deep bunkers. Best course I have played and that includes, Gleneagles, Carnoustie and the Old course (St Andrews). |
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| 19 May 2009
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| | We played the course just after the greens had been hollow cored, but this did not reduce the pure pleasure in playing the most beautiful course around Villamoura and probably the Algarve.
It's a very fair test of golf enjoyable for all levels of players. The course is manicured to a 5 star level. |
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| 27 April 2009
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| | Very Good parkland course in very good condition. it was fun to play here. |
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| 27 April 2009
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| | Next to Leopard Creek this is my favourite golf course. It has It all, variation lovely greens and just a wonderful place to play golf. I've been playing for 25yrs so trust me |
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| 21 March 2009
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| | This really is a beautiful golf course which winds its way up, down and through the natural contours of the land, with each hole framed by umbrella pines. When the sun is shining, it really is a picture - almost Augusta-like in terms of elevation changes. In terms of challenge, if you're driving well and putting well you will score well. The back nine especially is very good, although it is a somewhat disappointing finishing hole. When we played last weekend, the greens were fast and without blemish. If I had one minor quibble, it would be the tee areas. I was a bit surprised how ropey they were compared to the rest of the course. |
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| 18 March 2009
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| | Not sure I agree with too easy! Played last week, the course was in great condition, greens were running well, and there aren't many easy holes. It's true if you drive the ball well, you get birdie opportunities, especially on the 5 x par 5's on the course, but holes 6, 7 & 8 are tough holes and you can have some slick putts if you're on the wrong side of the green. It's old-fashioned golf at its best, and the course is a must-play for all visitors to the Algarve. Only downside was having an argument with the starters, who were generally unhelpful and rude, so be warned. Hitting it to 10 inches on the 9th for eagle certainly helped as well ...! |
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| 17 March 2009
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| | Best Oceanico course, described in one word unbelievable.. too easy though.
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| 25 October 2008
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| | A great classic test of golf.
The Old Course offers plenty of birdie opportunities ONLY IF you hit the fairways from the tee.
I would highly recommend a round here, it is by far the best of the Vilamoura courses. |
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| 26 September 2008
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| | This course is an absolute beauty. The club house is very classy, calm and sedate, as are indeed all the staff. Nobody tearing around, and the place is quiet and not over-subscribed like some in the area. The visitors changing rooms can be best described as 'cosy' but this all pales into insignificance when you start the golf. The first is a gentle downhill par 4-but at SI 17 it still a challenge. The front nine then draws you gently in to a magnificent golfing experience. A sweet par 3 over water on the 4th, a long but 'gettable' par 5 on the next. The holes are varied and all filled with challenges, but one of the Par 4's - I think it was the SI1 or 2, was an absolute monster at 440 yards AND uphill. The 18th is a bit of a surprisingly quiet finish at SI 3 for less than 400 yards, but the whites on this hole are a buggy ride back from the yellows, which probably explains it. The place is brilliant, relaxing on the comfy veranda afterwards, sipping the cold beer and overlooking one of the best courses I have ever played. This is a must see/must play if you go to the Algarve. |
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| 18 September 2008
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| | Superb! If you want to play an excellent test of golf that is in keeping with Portugese traditions, then this is it. Probably just pips Monte Rei as the best course, simply because this course suits the Algarve better. |
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| 08 May 2008
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| | Nice course and was in excellent condition when I played last week, However it can be quite boring boring playing courses like this. Every hole seems to be the same test, tight fairways surrounded by trees so the examination is to stay out the trees and you will score. |
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| 18 February 2008
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| | A really enjoyable course this. Easily my favourite of the Vilamoura courses - a slightly more tradiitonal feel and just a pleasure to play. I'd take this over the Victoria any day.
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| 05 November 2007
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| | The Old course has a brilliant start with a downhill par-4, an uphill par-5 and a picturesque par-3 at the 4th hole. The setting is through the trees that are so familiar in this part of the world and the course benefits from having over 30 years of maturity. For me this is probably the best of the Vilamoura courses and pleasure to play. Favourite hole for me is the par-4 9th, which is only 265 metres, drivable? probably not, but worth a go, you may just get lucky and have a clear pitch to the green but maybe not be warned. |
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| 29 September 2007
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| | Played this great course in August of 2006 while in the Algarve. At the first tee the fairway looks welcoming for a straight tee shot, while the hole is short and downhill the umbrella pines is all you can see. Has you proigress through the golf course in the front 9 it doesnt seem tough with a short par 5 2nd hole, normal par 4 3rd hole. The 4th hole gives you a look at shot making, while it is a short par 3 at 150 meters you have to carry a small lake in front of the green and a TREE, placement of the pin is critical to club selection. The 5th another par 5 lets you get your score in till you get to the 6th, a down hill par 3 of 200 meters. On the tee a great view of Vilamouraand a small green. The 7th a nice hole has you tee off on an elevated tee box to the fairway below which rises again to the green, enough club is key.. then the golf course starts... the rest of the course are long par 4s with umbrella pines tightly defining the fairways, seemingly redundant but each hole is unique and flows with the evolution of the golf course.. the front 9 prepares you for what is a fantastic finishing 9, with unforgiving holes save for 17 a 330 meter uphill winding par 4..only till you play through 14 do you realize ..wow, what a great layout, a great challenge. A must play - a memorable and enjoyable round. |
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| 17 August 2006
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| | Standing on the first tee looking down the fairway at the umbrella pine stragically placed in the centre of the fairway I just knew that this course was special. As one of the oldest courses on the Algarve it still represents a very fine test of golf. The umbrella pines that cover the course are great trees for a golf course. They give real definition to fairways yet let you find and play your ball, sometimes not too far, but you hit it there anyway!
This course has long and short par 3s tough par 4s and excellent par 5s. It is a course that most people cannot wait to play again. |
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| 04 August 2006
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| | If Vilamoura Old does not appear on your 'must play before I die' list then you will go to your grave having missed out on 4 very special hours of golf. The course is perfectly designed to challenge and to reward well executed golf shots. Not necessarily requiring massive drives, the Old course will have you thinking all the way around. As with the other reviews here the course was in superb condition and the staff friendly and helpful. Finished with a 79, a beer and a burger and wonderful memories. Will be repeated if I'm down that way again! |
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| 20 July 2006
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| | A truly classic test of golf. Very tough holes although not the longest course in the world. The condition of the course when i played was amazing and the green staff take a lot of pride in talking about the best conditioned course in the Algarve. A great course to play if you are in the area. |
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| 11 July 2006
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| | Not a very long course but tight fairways and a lot of pine trees so you'd rather be straight or this could be the longest 18 holes ever.Played under drizzles there in april which has to be the best month of the year!How on earth can people play there in hihg-summer???A very pretty course indeed and the name "old" means that this is definitely the most mature layout in the area.Superb villas as well around the course.Would go back and play there if I was to travel to Algarve again. |
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| 10 July 2006
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