VILAMOURA
Blessed with an abundance of first rate courses, Vilamoura is the perfect base for a Corporate Golf trip. Flight times are generally good with Faro being well served by the UK airlines and a transfer of less than an hour to the resort. After the golf, Vilamoura’s famous marina has something and somewhere for everyone, with a huge range of cuisine and bars for guests, coupled with a number of excellent hotels within easy walking distance of the Marina area and nightlife.
GOLF COURSES
There are around 20 courses that are suitable for Corporate groups in the surrounding area, depending on budgets and requirements, all of which we are able to arrange. The most popular ones are featured below, but the list also includes Victoria, Millennium, Pinhal, Laguna and Vila Sol locally; and nearby, guests can also enjoy Vale do Lobo and San Lorenzo, although you need to be resident at Dona Felipa to play the latter. Further afield, the O’Connor and Faldo courses are well received.
Old Course
Situated in the heart of Vilamoura a mere 20 minute drive from Faro airport, this Frank Pennink designed parkland style layout is one of the oldest in the region and renowned all over the golfing world. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pine trees – the principal hazard – over gently undulating natural terrain. The course was completely renovated and modernised in 1996 although crucially, no major changes were made to the magnificent layout.
Quinta do Lago
The Quinta do Lago resort is just a 25 minute transfer from Vilamoura and contains three Championship courses – North, South and Laranjal. The courses are set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, and is one of the most highly regarded golf resorts in Europe. The North Course was recently redesigned by renowned Golf Architect Beau Welling and European Ryder Cup winning captain Paul McGinley. The South Course is an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open and a favourite amongst European Tour professionals. Laranjal, built on an old orangery, is a great test for players of all levels, with lightning-fast greens and a plethora of Augusta-style bunkers.
Monte Rei
This East Algarve course may be an hour transfer from Vilamoura, but the groups we have taken there all agree that it is well worth it. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course opened in 2007, and quickly established itself as the Number 1 course in Portugal, and amongst the best in Europe. A trip to Monte Rei is not just a round of golf, it is an experience, as players are looked after from the moment they arrive.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITES
Don’t worry if some of your group don’t play golf or even if you fancy a day off from the courses – we can also arrange many other activities in the area. These include Grand Prix or Endurance races at a local outdoor Go Kart circuit; Buggy Safaris that go deep into the interior of the region; Boat Cruises along the coast, which can also include a BBQ lunch on a private secluded beach; and a number of gastronomic activities such as local wine tasting and cocktail making.
Weather
Key Facts
Nearest Airport: Faro (FAO)
Flight Time (ex UK): 2hrs 50mins
Airport to Resort: 30mins
Nearby Courses: 20+
Nearby Resorts: Quinta do Lago
Time Difference (GMT): None
Currency: Euro
Map
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