Onyria Palmares officially opened its additional nine new holes at the weekend, completing a total redesign of the course which was one of the first to be built in the Algarve.
The result is a 27-hole course which now takes full advantage of its spectacular setting on the Bay of Lagos.
The three nine-hole loops were put to the test by golfers over two days of shotgun-start Stableford competitions.
The 200 or so competitors included journalists from European media such as Golf World magazine and Sky Sports.
Other attendees included government tourism officials as well as representatives from the golfing, hotel and tourism industries – as well as the designer of the course, Robert Trent Jones Junior.
The world-leading American golf course architect was here from California to attend the event and after playing the course said that it had more than lived up to his expectations.
“You will never be bored playing at Palmares and like fine wine, it will get better and better,” he said.
The three nine hole courses – Alvor, Lagos and Praia – each have their own distinct character.
The inaugural competition was the first time that Robert Trent Jones Junior had played the course and 36 points gained him third prize playing off a handicap of 12.
“It probably helped that I designed the course,” he said. “I could read the greens!”
The President of family-owned Onyria Golf Resorts, Jose Carlos Pinto Coelho, himself a very keen golfer, said: “The opening of Onyria Palmares Golf is the first step in achieving a dream that will include a five star hotel planned for completion in 2013. The project, which includes residential properties and a beach club represents an investment of €300 million.” Sue Spencer
For more information, please telephone 282 790 500 or visit www.palmaresgolf.com
