New O'Connor course opens in Portugal
14th October 2008
The latest spectacular course designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr has been officially opened at Oceânico’s new Amendoeira Golf Resort.
To mark the launch of the golf course, Oceânico had commissioned a statue of O’Connor Jnr that overlooks the Oceânico O’Connor Course. The statue, designed by renowned Irish sculptor Paul Ferriter, is made from bronze and is modelled on an iconic image of the famous Irish golfer after he defeated Fred Couples in the 1989 Ryder Cup at the Belfry.
After unveiling the statue, O’Connor Jnr then took part in the Amendoeira Pro-Am that was contested on both his signature course at the resort and Oceânico Faldo, designed by six time Major winner Nick Faldo that was launched at the end of August. In total, 27 European Tour winners from 14 countries contested the Pro-Am.
The Oceânico O’Connor Course at Amendoeira Golf Resort is a par 72 championship course, which features lush landscaping and orange groves in a low-lying valley where large areas of lakes and watercourses demand accurate play and creative shot making.
The course includes O’Connor Jnr’s own version of Amen Corner, with a lake that runs from the 9th, through the 8th and into the 7th on the front nine, while the 18th hole brings the course to a fantastic finish; a gentle climb towards the magnificent clubhouse with the river running along the right hand side of the fairway. The O’Connor Course is set in the stunning hillsides of Amendoeira, which is a short drive from the thriving medieval town of Silves, just 20 minutes from Vilamoura and 35 minutes from Faro airport.
O’Connor Jnr said: “This has been a fantastic occasion and I’m delighted that my family could be with me to share this experience. The course is in magnificent condition and will provide a real test for golfers of all abilities. It was great to take part in the Pro-Am alongside so many Tour winners from all around the world.”
For Oceânico Group, the major player in the golf, property and leisure resort markets in Portugal, the opening of the Oceânico O’Connor Course at Amendoeira, in addition to the Oceânico Faldo Course, is the next significant step forward in their ambitious plans for the Algarve and beyond. Over 400 luxury villas and apartments as well as the Amendoeira Sporting Club, which will include tennis courts, football pitch and swimming pool, are also under construction, making Amendoeira the most significant new development in the Algarve in recent years.
The official opening of the two Amendoeira courses comes ahead of this weeks Portugal Masters (16th to 19th October), which will again be hosted by the critically acclaimed Oceânico Victoria golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer, for the second consecutive year.
With the opening of Amendoeira, Oceânico Golf has increased its portfolio to seven championship venues in the Algarve, as the company also owns the five courses at Vilamoura - Oceânico Victoria, The Oceânico Old Course, Oceânico Millennium, Oceânico Laguna and Oceânico Pinhal. As a result, Oceânico Golf is setting the standard for golf courses in the region.
From: Todaysgolfer
