The great variety of trees
adds special charm to the Vila Sol course which is blessed with excellent
facilities. In 1992 and 1993 it was selected for the Portuguese Open,
thereby consolidating its international reputation. 
Text provided by the Portuguese
Tourist Office
Placed at the heart of one
of the Algarve's most developed resort areas between Vilamoura and Quinta
do Lago, Vila Sol is a picture postcard of Portuguese golf. Though only
opened in July 1991, the course already shows a considerable degree of
maturity as a result of its excellent upkeep.
This course, winding through
an immense pinewood, in which fig trees, oaks and almond trees also feature,
is the work of the famous English architect Donald Steel. It is a typical
inland golf course of the British school, posing a test of the golfer's
strategic skills. Its narrow fairways demand accurate driving. The player
also has to face several obstacles during the game, lakes and bunkers,
as well as fast grass on the greens. A low overall score will be the fruit
of early successes on the first four holes, reckoned to be the most difficult
on the entire course.
Vila Sol earned high marks
in its most challenging test, hosting the Portuguese Open in 1992 and 1993,
when the invigilators were Europe's top professionals. These golf stars
heaped praise upon the excellent playing conditions and the quality of
its greens, which they considered as good as the best in Europe. |