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Holes 6 to 14, were designed by Joseph Lee with the collaboration of Rocky Roquemore, both from the USA, and opened in 1989. The terrain is superb, sandy and littered with umbrella pines. In the Spring, the rough is covered with a blanket of wild flowers. The bunkering is incomparable, both on the fairways and surrounding the greens and gives the course an advantage over many courses of similar quality and design.
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Named after the adjacent natural park, this 6.000 metres, par-72 course was co-designed by William Mitchell and Joseph Lee.
This course begins with a gentle-looking downhill tee shot, but do not be fooled as this course can prove a stiff test to any golfer. In basically the same style as the Quinta do Lago course, Ria Formosa is notable for its four fine par-5 holes and many doglegs where accuracy off the tee is a must. The tricky downhill par-3 14th with its green well defended by bunkers on either side is an outstanding challenge.
A majestic 480-metre par-5 finishing hole demands a drive over a lake and between fairway bunkers to set up the ideal second shot, with the approach up a steep rise to the green. Due to some of the holes having long walks in-between greens and tees, it may be recommended for some people to use a buggy.
The course has two architects. Holes 1 to 5 and 15 to 18 were designed by American William Mitchell in 1974. These holes (as with the other course) share a unique character. The terrain is typical of the area: sandy and strewn with pine trees, heather, gorse and wild flowers. All the par 4 and 5 holes are doglegs, demanding precise tee shots, to set up straightforward approaches. Like the Quinta do Lago course, it is an anti-clockwise loop and favours the player with a draw. |
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