Competing for attention as a golf course in the Algarve can be tricky. There are so many excellent resorts to choose from in this region of Portugal. It would easy for some to slip by the radar.
However, this results in every course having to be at its best to attract golfers, and the competition keeps every Algarve club on its toes.
One club that has risen to the challenge in Quinta da Cima is a great place for a round of golf in the Algarve.
Location
Situated in the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and immediately you can tell playing here will be good, just from this piece of information.
The golf course is located 12 kilometres from the Moorish town of Tavira on the eastern Algarve. The island of Tavira boasts a long sandy beach and is a great place to stay when playing golf at Quinta da Cima. Only 45 minutes’ drive from Faro International Airport and it doesn’t take long from arrivals to be on the first tee.
There are good practice facilities available, with a big driving range and two large practice greens. There is also a bunker, chipping and pitching areas, so you can practice every aspect of your game before venturing onto the course.
Also, a par-3 Academy Course comprises 3 greens and 6 tees and is a great place to hone various aspects of your game.
Course architect, Rocky Roquemore, has designed many courses on the southern coast of Europe but Quinta da Cima is up there with his best.
It is one of two 18-hole courses on the complex, and the big draw for many people is the lack of buildings around the course. If there is one criticism that can be forwarded about golf courses in the Algarve, it’s the number of villas and apartments surrounding some of the courses, but he is not the case at Quinta da Cima.
While this club is open to everyone, it has been designed with the top amateur and professional golfer in mind. The excellent use of the trees and water make the course very interesting, and if you want to score well, accuracy and distance off the tee are key.
Water comes into play between holes 4 and 6 via a stream, and it really becomes an issue on the first of those holes. The water crosses the front of the green, and if you happen to come up short on approach, you will be in trouble.
The challenge continues into the back nine, and this is where driving becomes important thanks to the long par-4’s. Water then comes back into play on the final few holes, to make Quinta da Cima a good challenge.
Having hosted several tournaments on the PGA Europro Tour and Algarve Pro Tour, this is an excellent course that will test players of all abilities.
Nearby courses to try include Monte Rei, Benamor and Castro Marim.
