Penina Championship

Golf in the Algarve teed off here in 1966 with this masterpiece layout by Sir Henry Cotton. It has hosted the Portuguese Open 8 times, including 1998 / 2000. The imposing Le Meridien Penina overlooks the course, built on flattish parkland terrain with fairways lined by countless trees, and containing several tricky water hazards. It includes several long par-3 and par-4 holes, requiring both length and accuracy. Two of the memorable holes are the scenic dogleg 5th par-5 with a canal, lake and contoured green, and the daunting 197m long par-3 thirteenth with water on the right all the way to the putting surface. The par-38 back nine starts and ends with two par-5 holes, a true test of skill.

 

Penina Resort

Also designed by Cotton, this full sized 9-hole course, although less demanding than the Championship one, has several challenging holes. Holes 1,2 and 3 are all tree-lined dogleg par-4's where keeping the fairway is a definite advantage. The only par-5 is the 499-metre fifth hole, long and straight with an elevated green, a typical Penina feature. The par-4 sixth, with out of rounds to the right, requires a precise drive through a narrow avenue of tall trees, whereas the drive on the dogleg 7th needs to he a controlled draw followed by an approach steered left of a greenside lake that is too close to the green for comfort. A long par-3 with several bunkers and a long par-4 round off this pleasant course.

 

Penina Academy

This short 9 holer is laid out in amongst the Championship fairways and comprises six par-3's and three par-4's. The greens are relatively small and therefore demand precise tee or approach shots, but the course is nevertheless ideal for all-year-round holiday golf and to perfect ones short game.

Championship and Resort Courses


Academy