Pinheiros Altos is a 27 hole course featuring three groups of nine holes, which can be played in any combination to make up 18. This choice makes it a course which can be played to the difficulty desired by the golfer. The three groups are named the Pinheiros (pines), the Sobreiros (corks) and the Oliveiras (olives). All groups take the player around beautiful beach scenery and between forests of pine trees, with routes beginning and ending at the impressive clubhouse. With 18 holes designed by Ronald Fream, and a further nine devised by Jorge Santana da Silva, the magnificent championship quality course was opened in 2007.
For a tougher game of golf, make sure to take on the Sobreiros course. This is generally seen as the trickiest of the courses, and includes the infamous par 5 8th hole. This is an almost 600 yard long double dog-leg, with plenty of danger around both bends.
The Oliveiras course is perhaps the most picturesque, with the holes interspersed between sparkling lakes. The original back nine, it is home to most of the diverse birdlife in the area. Birdwatchers come from afar to catch a glimpse of some of the species around Pinheiros Altos Golf Course.
The classic front nine, the Pinheiros course, is named after the pine trees which make it so challenging to navigate. After the course opening in 2007, more than a thousand additional pine trees were planted to blend with the older ones.
For the best value green fees book a stay at the Dona Filipa Hotel and the ‘Algarve Special’ package which includes green fees at both San Lorenzo and Pinheiros Altos – the number of rounds included depends on the number of nights stay.
