With two championship courses and a range of superb private villas and apartments, it’s no wonder Amendoeira Golf Resort is proving a popular destination for golf groups and families visiting in Portugal’s Algarve region
Despite being a regular visitor to the Algarve over the years, I had never previously visited the much talked about Amendoeira Golf Resort, so when an invitation came my way late last year to experience the resort first-hand, I jumped at the chance to escape the gloomy skies of the UK and head out for some sunshine under cloudless Iberian skies and enjoy some first-class golf.
Hidden away among the picturesque Monchique Mountains in Silves, a 30-minute drive from Faro airport, the Kronos-owned Amendoeira Golf Resort has been making waves ever since it first opened in 2008.
The five-star venue covers a vast swathe of land – 270 hectares if we’re counting – and can sleep up to 1,200 guests across its range of luxury villas and spacious apartments. The crown jewel at the resort, for golfers at least, is the Faldo course, designed by the legendary knight of the realm, which, since opening just over decade ago, features high on lists of top courses in Europe. This signature layout is complemented by a further 18-hole design fashioned by the late Christy O’Connor Jnr, which provides a perfect foil to Faldo’s more muscular test.
The resort also boasts a floodlit 9-hole, par-three course, which is perfect for beginners and those looking to sharpen up their short game. It is also great for a fun competition at night underneath the floodlights, more of which later. But the sporting fun doesn’t end there, as the resort also offers tennis courts, swimming pools, gym facilities and football pitches – the latter of which have been used by Fulham, West Brom and, most recently, the mighty Mansfield Town, for pre-season training – making it the perfect venue for a family break.
Flying into Faro after an early morning flight from London, a simple 30-minute transfer took us to the resort. After checking into our luxury 3-bed apartment, we grabbed a quick snack in the clubhouse before jumping into our buggies to take on the challenge of the Faldo course.
Four-wheeled transport is almost a prerequisite, as the 6,598-metre layout is carved out of the rugged Algarve landscape and involves several steep climbs and descents to fairways strewn with large, deep bunkers which jut out just far enough into play to swallow errant drives or loose approaches.
From the back tees there are some carries that might be a stretch for the mid-handicapper, but from the more forward tees most of the ravines and water hazards can be crossed with a decent whack. With hidden bunkers and the odd blind shot, it’s a typical challenging Faldo design. My favourite holes included the par-five 4th, which offers an inviting tee shot to the valley below, while the views from the tee on the par-3 12th are equally impressive. The par-5 13th was another excellent risk-and-reward hole that requires a little thought.
With pristine fairways and smooth-running greens, it was an thoroughly enjoyable test, although you’ll need to have your driving and putting boots firmly strapped on if you’re going to play to anything approaching your handicap.
Without a hotel, the clubhouse acts as base for those staying in the on-site villas and apartments, providing the hub of activities, as well as the location for the restaurants and bars. For those that prefer a hotel base, the resort has a reciprocal arrangement with the nearby Vila Vita Parc Hotel, a five-star property that offers a luxury package of accommodation, leisure facilities and restaurants, including of the two Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant and the Adega Restaurant, an authentic Portguese eaterie where we dined in style on the second night.
After dinner in the clubhouse on the first night we got the chance to play the par-three course in the company of European Par 3 champion Hugo Espirito Santo, who shot the lights out – although thankfully not literally – with his seven-under-par score of 20. With the holes measuring between 75 and 120 yards, it’s a great test of your short game, and a lot of fun.
The following morning, and suitably refreshed after a night in one of the comfortable apartments, we took on the O’Connor Course. While the Faldo course could beat you up if you’re off your game, the O’Connor, like the man himself, is a much more welcoming and genial affair. Built over a much more walkable landscape – although I doubt many give up their buggies to play it –it’s no pushover at 6,708 metres from the back tees, although the 5,640m from the blues makes it much more like the holiday course that is aspires to be. Water, in the shape of ponds, creeks and wetland areas, comes into play at many of the holes, particularly on the front nine. The par threes at the 3rd and 6th are feature holes on the outward half, with pushed shots on either hole resulting in delve back into the golf bag, while the 402-metre par-4 eighth, lives up to its Stroke Index 1 billing with water all the way down and then across to avoid, before reaching the relative safety of a small, but undulating green.
The inward half presents a number of memorable holes, though the first of these at
the par-four 10th might be remembered for the wrong reasons because the acute angle of the right dogleg on this par four might be regarded as a little too severe by many. The 374-metre 18th also doglegs, but a little more gently this time, as the fairway rises slowly towards the two-tiered home green. All in all, although it won’t live quite as long in the memory as its neighbour, the O’Connor is an enjoyable way to spend four hours in the company of like-minded souls.
Later on we had a tour around some of the villas and apartments that are available to buy and/or rent. With swimming pools, luxury interiors, BBQ areas, and two great golf courses on your doorstep, it’s quite easy to see the appeal of a long-term investment here, although as place to hole up for a long weekend break or a fortnight’s holiday, it also takes some beating.
GETTING THERE
Direct flights to Faro are available from most UK airports, with carriers including Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways and Norwegian Air.
BOOKINGS
For details of the latest golf and accommodation packages,
visit www.amendoeiraresort.com or call 00 351 282 320 820
