Benamor Golf Course, Portugal

The Benamor Golf Course is located in Tavira, Portugal, was the first golf course built east of Faro in the Algarve. In 1986 the owners of Quinta de Benamor (Martins Dias family) invited Sir Henry Cotton to make a concept design for an 18-hole course, inspired by the beautiful old church next to the site of the Clubhouse and its spectacular location the result was a delightful plan for a par 71 golf course with 5.500 meters.

Unfortunately, the legendary British golf champion and course designer died the following year, and the project underwent various changes under Howard Swan and Raymond Jones; it is their touch that gives the course, finally opened in 2000, it’s defining characteristics.

A traditional parkland course set among the peaceful surroundings it is reasonably undulating boosting stunning views of the mountains to the North and the Atlantic Ocean to the South.

The indigenous olive, cork, carob, fig and almond trees, many centuries old, feature aesthetically and in playing terms. The opening holes of each nine are the easiest, offering birdie opportunities, but the rest are longer and more difficult; water hazards and sand bunkers are located to test the strategy and striking ability of the player. The Penn A4 greens and tees are simply superb and Bermuda Sahara fairways and cool-season grasses provide good lies for wood and iron shots.

Benamor is not a long course, by modern standards, and a premium is placed on accuracy rather than length; very easy to walk with only a few pronounced slopes to contend with. Golfers of all standards will enjoy this course with different tee positions to make it a challenge for everyone.