njc1973
Head Pro
The first course we played on our golf trip was the Arnold Palmer designed Victoria Course just outside Vilamoura (current home of the Portugese Masters), due to a delay at Gatwick we rushed to check in, hopped in the buggies and hit a few balls on the grass range (careful if you’re hitting a 3 wood or driver as these will fly over the back) before being directed to the 10th tee.
The back nine was brilliant with plenty of risk and reward shots, decisions of how much of the lake to cut off and even a split fairway with water in between.
The closing stretch of 16, 17 & 18 dominated by water and large undulating greens is up there with the great closing section of holes.
Unfortunately the front nine felt like a letdown after playing the back nine first, although there were a few interesting holes it just felt a bit drab and boring in comparison, I’m sure if the course was played as intended I would have preferred it a lot more.
The ambivalence regarding the front nine may have something to do with not having eaten for about 12 hours and the drinks/food buggy seemed to have found the same hiding place as Lord Lucan!
The condition of the course was good but very dry, the fairways were tight, bunkers had plenty of soft sand and the greens although scarred looking ran very fast and true.
Clubhouse was nice with beers €4 each and food €10-15
The back nine was brilliant with plenty of risk and reward shots, decisions of how much of the lake to cut off and even a split fairway with water in between.
The closing stretch of 16, 17 & 18 dominated by water and large undulating greens is up there with the great closing section of holes.
Unfortunately the front nine felt like a letdown after playing the back nine first, although there were a few interesting holes it just felt a bit drab and boring in comparison, I’m sure if the course was played as intended I would have preferred it a lot more.
The ambivalence regarding the front nine may have something to do with not having eaten for about 12 hours and the drinks/food buggy seemed to have found the same hiding place as Lord Lucan!
The condition of the course was good but very dry, the fairways were tight, bunkers had plenty of soft sand and the greens although scarred looking ran very fast and true.
Clubhouse was nice with beers €4 each and food €10-15
