Placed
at the heart of one
of the Algarve's most developed resort areas between Vilamoura and
Quinta
do Lago, Vila Sol is a picture postcard of Portuguese golf. Though only
opened in July 1991, the course already shows a considerable degree of
maturity as a result of its excellent upkeep.
This course, winding
through
an immense pine wood, in which fig trees, oaks and almond trees also
feature,
is the work of the famous English architect Donald Steel. It is
a
typical
inland golf course of the British school, posing a test of the golfer's
strategic skills. Its narrow fairways demand accurate driving.
The player
also has to face several obstacles during the game, lakes and bunkers,
as well as fast grass on the greens. A low overall score will be the
fruit
of early successes on the first four holes, reckoned to be the most
difficult
on the entire course.
Vila Sol earned high marks
in its most challenging test, hosting the Portuguese Open in 1992 and
1993,
when the invigilators were Europe's top professionals. These golf stars
heaped praise upon the excellent playing conditions and the quality of
its greens, which they considered as good as the best in Europe.
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