Christmas & New Year in the Algarve with David Short
Great Golf Holidays are delighted to be working with David Short, one of the UK's finest teaching Pro's. Having been a member of the PGA for over 30 years, a former player on the PGA Tour and a Club Pro for over 20 years, David brings the highest quality and experience to his Golf Tours and events.
For the Festive Season this year, we are returning to the warmer climate of the Algarve. Join David & Sue Short for the Christmas and New Year period playing six of the finest courses in the Algarve. You will play the three superb courses at Quinta do Lago, North, South and Laranjal. You will also play the best three of the Vilamoura Oceanico courses, the Millennium, the Victoria and the Old Course. Six high quality rounds of golf, a fine way in which to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. The accommodation is the 4 Star Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, located close to the Marina in Vilamoura. With sea-view rooms and easy access to the shops and restaurants of Vilamoura, the hotel provides the ideal base for our festive time in the sun.
Throughout the Tour, there will be the opportunity for some informal golf lessons with David. Simply let us know if you would like some tuition and if so, David will arrange some clinics accordingly.
Please note that bookings can be taken for the full Tour, or if you are only able to make part of it, that is absolutely fine. You tell us when and for how long you can stay and we will amend your Tour cost accordingly.
Please do not hesitate to Contact Us to book your place. We look forward to seeing you on the Algarve!
...the tour
Day 1
Welcome to the Algarve!
On arrival into Faro, we will be transferred to the 4 Star Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel in Vilamoura. We have booked superior sea
view rooms in the hotel, which combined with the plethora of shops and restaurants close to the hotel, ensures that we have the perfect base for our Festive stay in the Algarve.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 2
Quinta do Lago Golf Club - North Course
We commence the golf itinerary on the Quinta do Lago's North Course. Quinta North is an enjoyable challenge to golfers of all standards. The natural woodland, pine setting, the combination of the undulating greens, the well positioned bunkers and the water hazards ensure a unique golf experience for all who play the course. We will walk off the 18th with a sense of accomplishment and always a longing to address the tee on the first green and do it all again.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 3
Happy Christmas!
A day of merriment and cheer! A Christmas Lunch is booked at the hotel and the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
If you do wish to play an additional round of golf, please let us know. The Vilamoura Oceanico courses are all open and we can make bookings for additional rounds of golf if required.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 4
Oceanico Golf Club - Millennium Course
The Oceanico Millennium course is a conventional par-72 course opened in the year 2000, although the completely refurbished back nine holes - formerly part of the 27-hole Laguna Course - had been completed in their original configuration a decade before. The refurbishment and the totally new outward half were both designed by renowned golf architects, Hawtree. Always a popular course with visitors and one that sits well in the company of the other courses that we are playing during the tour.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 5
Quinta do Lago Golf Club - Laranjal Course
Laranjal, originally an orange grove, is today a beautiful and totally different golf experience. It is a sanctuary for fine golf. The narrow fairways and the well defined greens require concentration and accuracy to navigate what is a testing course laid out on a rolling and distinctive terrain. It is a par 72, 6,480 meters, with five par 5s, eight par 4s, five par 3s set amongst umbrella pines, cork-oaks and orange trees with a natural water course and 5 beautiful lakes. The newest addition to the Quinta do Lago courses, and a mighty fine one at that.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 6
Non Golfing Day
A day to relax or to perhaps explore the sights and sounds of Vilamoura. If an additional round of golf is required, please let us know and we will book the golf course of your choice for you.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 7
Oceanico Golf Club - Victoria Course
One extraordinary fact concerning the Victoria Course is that Arnold Palmer masterly created 18 greens with totally different shapes and sizes. The Course is also laid out in amongst no fewer than 22 lakes totaling about 11 hectares and interconnected by several waterfall features, which give it great character. The 17th is the Victoria Course's signature hole. It is a 509-metre par-5, and the hole has a total of twelve water cascades bordering the right hand side of the fairway. In addition, drives and second shots here need to negotiate some fairway bunkers, leaving a very demanding approach shot over water to the raised green.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 8
Quinta do Lago Golf Club - South Course
Opened in 1974, Quinta do Lago South has hosted the 'Portuguese Open Championship' eight times; 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 2001, and many other important professional and amateur championships. The course is set in a natural setting surrounded by umbrella pines, lakes and wild vegetation, with the stunning Ria Formosa in the backdrop. Each hole has generous landing areas off the tees and well-defined routes through the woodland and pine setting. A classic golf course and one to be enjoyed by all.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 9
Preparing for the New Year
A day spent at leisure preparing for the night ahead, or to shop, relax or indeed to play an additional round of golf. If you do wish an additional round of golf, please let us know and will book the golf course of your choice. With regards to the New Years Eve celebration, the hotel present a superb Gala Dinner, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended the 2009 / 2010 New Year Tour.
For New Year 2011, David and Sue will be hosting a New Year party, which will include the Gala Dinner, all drinks and Champagne. The cost will be approximately £140 for the Gala Dinner, drinks and Champagne. Alternatively, restaurant reservations can be made in Vilamoura if preferred. We need to make these arrangement prior to arriving in the Algarve. Please therefore let us know in advance whether your preference would be for the Gala Dinner or to see in the New Year at a Restaurant. We can organise both, but we do indeed to know the numbers for each beforehand.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 10
Oceanico Golf Club - The Old Course
What better way to bring in the New Year than by playing the traditional favourite of the Algarve, the Old Course. Situated in the heart of Vilamoura, this Frank Pennink designed parkland style layout is one of the oldest in the region and renowned all over the golfing world. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it meanders throughout impressive pine trees, which are the principal hazard, and over gently undulating natural terrain. A superb golfing experience in which to conclude our Christmas and New Year Golf Tour of the Algarve.
Overnight: Vila Gale Ampalius Hotel, Vilamoura (4 Star)
Day 11
Departures
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Faro for the flight home.
