Golf
The villa overlooks the 2nd, 3rd and 4th fairway and greens of the 'Guadiana' course at Castro Marim.
An additional 9 holes have recently been opened (May 2008) to complement the existing 18 holes, making a wonderful addition to the course. The new nine holes are longer than both of the existing nine holes and have some great open views, especially from the 4th tee where you can see the entire new course, as well as the par-5 in front of you which features an enormous lake.
You can now choose which combination of the three nine holes to play - the existing 'Atlantic' and 'Guadiana' courses or the new 'Grouse' course, and Castro Marim offers some of the best value green fees (special rates on Wed. & Sat) in the whole of the Algarve.
Castro Marim itself has one of the best golf holes in the world. That's according to a book called '1001 golf holes you must play before you die' edited by Jeff Barr. The particular hole that 'must be played' is the 4th on the Atlantic Course - a challenging par 5 hole.
The book describes the course as 'one of the most Easterly courses on the Algarve with good views towards nearby Spain'.
From 1st June 2008 to 15th September 2008 on Wednesdays and Saturdays green fees for 2 players and a buggy 80 Euros. On other days the cost for 18 holes are 1 player - 42 Euros, 1 player + buggy - 66 Euros, 2 players + buggy - 105 Euros and 3 players + 2 buggies - 160 Euros, really good value for the Algarve!
We have our own electric 2 seater buggy which can be hired at very reasonable cost, priced according to your stay, with a minimum of £20.00 for one day.
Next door to Castro Marim is the newly opened Quinta do Vale golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros, and a further 3 courses are within a 10 minute drive from the villa. These include Quinta da Ria, Quinta da Cima and Benemor.
Further west you can find many more courses including the famous San Lorenzo and Penina Championship courses.
Plenty of interesting challenges, and hiring our private two seater golf buggy will make the golf even more enjoyable on the Castro Marim Golf course.
As most golfers know the Algarve is famous for quality golf. There are innumerable courses within easy distance to suit every mood and these include some of the top championship courses in Europe. Listed below are a few to give you a flavour.
Eastern Algarve Golf Courses
Castro Marim - The recently built course is part of a truly exceptional tourist development, designed to provide unforgettable moments of leisure. It has a very special setting in the peaceful atmosphere of the eastern Algarve.
Benamor - This course. designed by Sir Henry Cotton, is the first golf course to open east of the capital of the Algarve, Faro, and lies just outside of Tavira. The course is an undulating one, although not excessively so, offering views over the mountains to one side and the sea to the other.
Colina Verde - The Colina Verde is a small inland 9-hole course situated in Maragota, between the coast and the Algarvian mountain range.
Quinta da Ria - This spectacular 18 hole golf course is in the Ria Formosa Natural Park and spreads along an almost flat surface of 660.000 m2 down to the Ria Formosa itself, hanging over it and with a stunning view of the sea.
Quinta da Cima - A Championship style course of great character. Running through the stunning layout is a series of lakes connected by a stream, which the architect has skillfully incorporated as an added challenge.
Pine Cliffs - Known for the impeccable condition in which it is kept, Pine Cliffs is a nine hole course that runs along impressive cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Balaia - Based on a 9-hole (all par 3) loop, the Balaia Golf Village is an ideal course for beginners or for perfecting distance control.
Vilamoura: Millenium - A new exciting 18 hole course designed by UK architects Hawtree & Sons.
Vilamoura: Laguna - The most recent of the Vilamoura courses, this course has three loops of nine holes each that are an enduring challenge for any player.
Vilamoura: Pinhal - In the middle of a beautiful pine wood, with panoramic views to the sea.
Vilamoura: Old Course - The oldest of the three Vilamoura courses that form part of a luxury resort close to fantastic beaches - a Par 73 course set in beautiful and tranquil landscape.
Vilamoura: Victoria Clube de Golfe - Opened in 2004. This is at present the longest 18 holes golf course in Portugal and promises to be a notable course in Europe. Each hole has a minimum of five tees from which to play thus making the course suitable for golfers of all handicap levels.
Vilamoura: Vila Sol - Golf course is on the way into Vilamoura and was founded in 1991 and designed by Englishman Donald Steel.
Ocean Course - The Ocean Course, part of the Vale de Lobo tourist resort, is located near the sea, thus creating very pleasant game conditions. It is est in a region that is a genuine paradise.
Royal Course - This is one of the best known courses in the world, because of its famous Par 3 hole, which requires a shot of more than 200 metres over three spectacular cliffs.
Quinta do Lago South - Situated in an truly international setting, synonymous with luxury and exclusivity, Quinta do Lago has played host to seven Portugues Opens.
San Lorenzo - Rare and many-faceted beauty matched by impeccable upkeep make this course a true "pearl" of Portuguese golf. Its eighteen widely-ranging holes run past pine trees, lakes and beaches beside the Atlantic Ocean. Regularly featured in any list of Europe's top courses.
Parque da Floresta - A course built on hillsides and over uneven ground with views over a fishing village. With a number of different obstacles such as bunkers, lakes and rivers, it provides challenge of great diversity.
Palmares - This is a course of great beauty, perfectly blending beach and mountain scenery. Its clubhouse, set between holes nine and ten, provides a fantastic panorama of 25 km of the Atlantic coastline.
Penina - The first golf course to be built In the Algarve, Penina is considered the masterpiece of Sir Henry Cotton. It was the location for five of the Portuguese Open Championships. (Again in 2006)
Alto Golf - Alto Golf runs through two valleys, and was the last to be designed by Sir Henry Cotton. Its hole number 16, named "The Giant", is a 604 metres for a Par 5, and is considered the longest in Europe.
Vale da Pinta - Situated near Carvoeiro in an old olive grove, Vale da Pinta is a championship course that is, nonetheless, adaptable to any kind of game.
Costa Esuri - Located in the new Andalucian Village just north of Ayamonte. Two 18-hole championship golf courses beside the Guadiana river offering stunning views. The landscape being characterised by gentle slopes formed by dunes and a beautiful countryside with olive, orange and eucalyptus trees.
Islantilla - This championship 27-hole course is well-designed and built to the highest specifications. Built upon 73 Hectares the Course is immersed in a forest of pine trees with wonderful views over the Atlantic Ocean and the beach. The Course has 3 choices of 18 holes for 3 different styles of play: Blue Course, very demanding and designed for low handicaps. Green Course, which combines the need for length and accuracy. Ideal for average handicaps. Yellow Course, the easiest one, and perfect for higher handicaps.
Nuevo Portil - Located in an area with natural vegetation, mainly populated with pine, running along the sea to the south. This sandy field with its mild features includes a great variety of sceneries with even areas and gentle slopes, perfect for a round of golf. While the course's smart technical design is suitable for international championships, golfers of every level will find the course enjoyable.
Dunas De Doñana - Located in the heart of the Doñana National Park, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A true test of golf with many different kinds of hazards including its famed island green.
El Rompido - Recently opened, this gem of a course is situated in the protected "Marismas" salt marshes a short drive from Huelva. With fantastic views across the salt flats, the front nine gives ample opportunity to get to grips with nearly all of your clubs. A versatile alternative and a definite must whilst golfing in the area.
Isla Canela - Isla Canela is a relatively flat, open course but do not take it lightly. Water comes into play on no fewer than 10 holes and straying from the fairway leads to big trouble so accurate play is required. Good clubhouse.