ABROAD TRAVEL: Amendoeira, Portugal
Mark Townsend visits the golfing hotbed of the Algarve where a year-old resort is already making waves...
The Courses
THE first time I spoke to Christy O’Connor Jnr it was as a young teenager at the 1985 Open Championship at Sandwich.
Having shot an opening six-under 64 to lead by an incredible four shots I casually asked, as the Irishman made his way to the 1st tee, whether another one was on the cards?
“I’m not a miracle worker, you know.”
Needless to say there wasn’t another 64 in the locker but a tie for third, and that 2-iron to a few feet at The Belfry to see off Fred Couples in the 1989 Ryder Cup, showed there is more than just a hint of magic about O’Connor.
His championship course at Amendoeira only adds to this.
O’Connor Jnr has transformed a huge expanse of farmland into a marvellous new track, it opened just a year ago, and it more than complements the Sir Nick Faldo design who, having had the first pick of the land, chose the hillier, more dramatic option.
The Irishman’s first task was to lift everything two metres to make it playable all year and then to make it playable for a variety of handicaps. While being longer off the very back tees, at 7,335 yards, O’Connor Jnr likes to offer up six tees and sets his stall out with the 15-handicapper in mind.
So, while being difficult in the extreme - water plays a part on all bar four holes – there is a softer, more gentle feel to it than the Faldo.
The designer does not do signature holes, he also shies away from 600-yard-plus par 5s and 240-yard-plus par 3s, instead preferring to throw in a run of interesting holes. Our time together took in the opening three, the first of which is a gentle par 5 which helps to ‘get you going’.
Walking off with a treble-bogey eight, after having 30 yards left for my third, gives you some idea that, as spectacular as the Academy is, a visit to the putting green beforehand is also worth a trip.
My playing partner made the most straightforward of fours. O’Connor Jnr is not one to take his role of designer lightly. More often than not he will make at least 30 visits, whereas the accepted average is four or five. At Amendoeira he made around 50.
He might not do signature holes but even he describes the 18th as a ‘humdinger’. From the fairway it looks dramatic enough, with a rocky outcrop dropping down from the Moorish-style clubhouse. From up above it looks immense and caps off a brilliant run for home which begins four holes previously.
Standing on the 1st tee of the Faldo course it is plain to see that the six-time Major winner does not do straightforward opening holes.
The first 150 yards is over Mediterranean scrub, the remaining 300 is uphill all the way to a well-bunkered green.
With a Stroke Index of 7 there is a very early concern that you are in for a hiding but, thankfully, it is not as daunting as is first feared.
Like many Faldo designs the tee shots look trickier than they actually are and if you can position your drive there is an opportunity to score well.
The short 11th begins the head for the hills and the middle of the back nine offers some sensational views of the surrounding countryside.
The 13th measures a formidable 670 yards but if you take advantage of the natural contours, a feature of the entire course, there is a slim chance, as daft as it sounds, of actually finding the green in two very good shots.
In his course notes Faldo explains: “The best compliment you can get when players come off the course and say ‘wow, that was a challenge,’ and that’s just what I am planning here."
Rest assured you are in for a challenge, particularly a mental one, but it will be highly rewarding.
Off-course attractions
THERE is plenty to keep you amused on the property itself. Be sure to make time in your schedule to enjoy the Academy Course, a nine-hole par 3 option, which is an absolute treat, particularly when played under the floodlights.
Again there are a number of teeing options, though nothing measures beyond 100 or so yards, and the condition of the course is magnificent.
Otherwise there is the state-of-the-art Academy, six tennis courts, a full-size football pitch, two five-a-side ones, two bowling greens plus children’s facilities and play areas.
Where to stay
WITH this being the Algarve there is no shortage of accommodation with the excellent Hilton Vilamoura resort, which boasts six swimming pools and and everything you could wish for, just a 20-minute drive away.
The lowdown
OCEANICO Golf now offer seven championship courses, which includes the famous five at Vilamoura, plus the two excellent additions at Amendoeira which is situated near Silves.
The two courses complement one another perfectly and it is a rarity when one can be played without thinking that you are missing out just a short distance away. The Monchique mountains form an impressive backdrop to a cracking day’s golf.
SPECIAL OFFERS
THERE are a vast number of special packages currently available with discounted golf on both courses as well as access to all the other sporting and leisure facilities
www.oceanicogolf.com
FALDO COURSE
Championship tees - 7,215 yards, par 72
www.oceanicogolf.com
O’CONNOR JNR
Championship tees - 7,335 yards, par 72
www.oceanicogolf.com
STAY
www.oceanicoresorts.com
GETTING THERE
www.britishairways.com
www.easyjet.com
www.monarch.co.uk