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Oceanico, Pinhal €100.00 / €77.00 €100.00 / €58.00 28 / 36


  DETAILS OF THE
PINHAL GOLF COURSE:

Number of holes: 18, Par: 72
Length: 6353 meters
Buggies: Yes
Golf shoes: soft spikes (no trainers)
Dress code: Tailored shorts and collared shirts only
Compulsory: 1 set of clubs per player
 
Trent Jones' work has given the Pinhal course a great variety of holes as he brought together two completely different architectural concepts: British and American. As a result, the golfer is confronted by very different kinds of play.

Pinhal golf course was inaugurated in 1976; it was originally designed by the Briton Frank Pennink. Later, in 1985, it was partly redesigned by the American Robert Trent Jones, who introduced new challenges into the course. As a result, different styles are apparent in the layout.

The first nine holes wind through umbrella pine woods while the back nine, are on more open land returning gently uphill, moving through terrain that opens up to magnificent sea views. This is an excellent golf course enormously popular with Vilamoura residents and visitors alike.

One of the main characteristics of this course is the small size of its greens, requiring great precision from the golfer in terms of approach shots.

The first hole is a tricky par 5. The drive is blind, over a gentle rise. The second shot is, in principle, relatively straightforward. The approach must be played with determination to carry the deep bunkers which protect a two tiered green inclined towards the line of play.

The 4-par fourth hole (348 meters) is probably the signature hole of Pinhal. There is a small lake which comes into play at the second shot - or possibly with an overly long drive! The green is undulating and torturous, making par a real achievement even if your second shot has found the putting surface. There is water too, at the par-3 eighth. Although the elevated tee gives a feeling of confidence by its very height, the green is immediately behind the small lake which protects it. A timid shot may not find the bank and roll back into the water. The green itself is stepped and generous from side to side - not a lot of depth though.

On the back nine, the "new" fifteenth has changed from being relatively benign. Only a well judged drive will allow a second shot, which must carry a meandering ditch and a scattering of trees and bushes to fly the green.

In 1988 this course hosted the Portuguese Ladies' Open, part of the women's professional European circuit. Peggy Conley, an American, was the winner.










































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