Alto Golf Course, Portugal

Alto Golf Course situated near the picturesque village of Alvor, Portugal was the last design by three time British Open Champion, Sir Henry Cotton, after his death, the project continued by Peter Dobereiner, a well-known golf journalist. Designed as a garden-like course with mature pine, carob, almond, fig and olive trees lining the fairways; the course spans across two gently sloping valleys and runs to 6125 meters from the back tees.

It has five par 3s, eight par 4s, and five par 5s, with two ponds affecting four of the holes. The fairways are always in very good condition, and the greens are excellent, most well guarded by strategically placed bunkers. The surrounding views of the Monchique Mountains and the Algarve countryside with occasional sea glimpses of Lagos Bay and Praia da Vau are breathtaking.

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The opening nine holes offer fine views over the bay of Lagos. The back nine, set on rolling slopes, include the remarkable Henry Cotton Challenge, the longest Par 5 in Europe. At 604 meters, it requires three long and accurate shots to avoid the lake, hold the angled fairway and find the small, well protected green. This 18 hole, Par 72 golf course reflects Sir Henry’s golfing philosophy of providing low handicap players with a testing game and still affording plenty of enjoyment for players at average club level and providing satisfaction and inspiration for beginners.