Amendoeira (Faldo)

The Amendoeira Golf Resort is situated in the central Algarve district of Silves, half an hour’s drive from Faro airport and the two new courses here – Faldo and O’Connor Jnr – are the first to be constructed within a rural area that once held dominion over the south coast of Portugal.

Once part of the burgeoning Oceânico golfing empire, Amendoiera’s pair of 18-hole championship layouts are complemented by a 9-hole par three track which is floodlit for evening use, along with a number of practice chipping and putting areas. In all honesty, it’s a modern golf facility to match any of the others along this famous golfing coastline.

Faldo’s course calls for golfers to play strategically, avoiding the desert scrub bunkers, rocky outcrops, wandering water hazards and olive trees that lurk in wait for errant shots. Careful positioning of the golf ball will afford the opportunity to score well so “keeping it in play” are the main watchwords here, especially on the hillier back nine.

Nick Faldo is really pleased with the course, saying, “the land at Amendoeira is dramatic and the project has the potential to be a real talking point in the Algarve. With so many courses in the region, that’s no mean feat. This is a very exciting project, which gives me a great opportunity to exploit my passion for design. You have incredible views, beautiful undulating land and any time you get natural terrain like this, it is great fun to work with”.