Victoria Golf Club Vilamoura Portugal

VICTORIA CLUBE DE GOLFE

The fifth golf course at Vilamoura is an extraordinary project and has just been rewarded with the announcement that it will host the WGC World Cup of Golf 2005. No mean feat for a course only opened in the Summer of 2004. The Arnold Palmer signature designed course has been laid out in the most amazing way. Most fairways have a links style feel about them and water comes in to play in a most dramatic way on several holes. The 12th,13th, 17th and 18th make the back nine one of the most spectacular you are ever likely play.

It is suggested that the greens on the Victoria will become the best in Europe with their American design. An artificial turf has been added to natural grass and they run very, very fast. Manage the speed first then master the slopes as each green has contours, ridges and tiers that will make your eyes water. Another special feature for the Victoria course is the bunkers. Not only the designs and positioning but the actual sand that is used. It's so fluffy and soft you will want to eat it! However, land the ball straight in it and it will wreak your score.

The club house is as special as the course and the welcome you will receive there you will be remember forever. The restaurant has one of the most extensive menus in Vilamoura and it's reputation growing all the time.

I suspect when the Worlds elite arrive at the end of 2005 to play for the World Cup of Golf the Victoria will have become the Queen of the Algarve.

Hole 1 is a Par 4 at 408 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.9
The Olive Corner greets you with a slightly elevated tee and if teeing off in the morning then the sun rise and haze will be in your eye line. It's a classic opening hole, bunkers right and left on this links style fairway. The green is slightly tucked over a bunker and up to the left.

Hole 2 is a Par 4 at 327 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.13
The Peregrine Falcon has three bunkers either side of its undulating fairway. The cauldron of a green is marshalled by four bunkers all short that's temps you to hit long but don't as there is no way back.

Hole 3 is a Par 5 at 517 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.3
The Par 5 Environmental Gates has a big tree on the left hand side that guards a huge bunker. There are three more bunkers left and right awaiting to trap your second shot. If you avoid these and full short of the green there are a number of well placed olive trees that may annoy you.

Hole 4 is a Par 4 at 372 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.11
The Purple Heron is a dog leg left and there is a nasty bunker awaiting those greedy enough who cut the corner and there is also a chance that you may Hook it which will be OOB. The green is protected by olive trees that make more than adequate substitutes for bunkers.

Hole 5 is a Par 5 at 529 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.1
The White Storks can be seen nesting all along the side of this hole. Your tee shot should be lined up over the small olive tree on the left. Those wanting to reach in two will find three Scottish style 'Pot' bunkers preventing this. The safe options is to play on the mounds on the right, pray for a good lie, and then play down onto the long green.

Hole 6 is a Par 3 at 199 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.15
The first par 3 is named The Chameleon. Play a mid iron over the valley avoiding the three bunkers but don't go long as its messy over the back.

Hole 7 is a Par 4 at 417 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.5
Tough Hole for short hitters! If you are going over the water them aim high over the olive tree. Anyone taking the long way round should be accurate and don't full into the bunkers right. You will then have a tricky approach over five small bunkers at the green.

Hole 8 is a Par 3 at 154 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.17
The Blackbird is more like and octopus as this huge bunker seems to reach in all directions. Miss it and you are safe.

Hole 9 is a Par 4 at 404 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.7
The Crab Tree works you back to the clubhouse nicely once you avoid the big long bunker on the right. Olive trees are gently impose the fairway and can block your approach shot.

Hole 10 is a Par 4 at 371 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.10
A Mirage is a downhill hole with a huge bunker on the right. The bunker just left of the green is very dangerous and needs to be avoided.

Hole 11 is a Par 4 at 352 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.14
The Mallard starts the excitement on the back nine. You drive by the side of the lake that will meet you at the green. Those going for the safe right side option will full into the bunkers. A neat bunker between the lake and the right side of the green will attracted your approach shots.

Hole 12 is a Par 5 at 500 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.4
Roman Ruins will ruin a few score cards. This double fairway hole is both exciting and spectacular. Stray right and the bunkers will grab you, too far right and it's OOB. If you mange to land it on the second fairway then try and stay right as the bunker on the left is just not fair! The mound to the right of the green could help work your ball onto the putting surface but this is the only help you get on this hole.

Hole 13 is a Par 3 at 183 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.18
The Purple Gallinule sees you teeing off over the lake again. A big bunker then meets you at the green. The mounds to the right may be dangerous if you are too long.

Hole 14 is a Par 4 at 388 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.2
Double Fairway again! Too get to the second fairway it's a 230y carry over water. Forgetting that aim at the first fairway and just left of the bunker. You will still have an approach shot over TWO lakes but still might have the same ball.

Hole 15 is a Par 4 at 288 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.16
The Kestrel rest you from the water for a little while and you are required to miss the right hand bunker on the fairway. The shortest par 4 has a 'S' shaped fairway that has a mound and bunker at the green just to make it a little dangerous.

Hole 16 is a Par 3 at 190 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.6
The Azure Winged Magpie is the longest par 3 on Victoria. There is a huge round bunker that will capture you ball and make getting par very difficult.

Hole 17 is a Par 5 at 538 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.8
Victoria Falls will have you on your knees! Play to the left, over and away from the water. What you really want to do is come around the fairway bunker so you do not have a nervous approach over the water onto the green. Fantastic hole.

Hole 18 is a Par 4 at 423 (Metres) from the White Tees and S.I.12
The Kingfisher again allows you to drive over water. You will notice that the white fence to the right is OOB. Try and play right close to the bunkers this will avoid a tricky approach shot over water.

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