Sintra, Portugal: Penha Longa Atlantic
Golf Course
Penha Longa'sAtlanticCourse is a fabulous eighteen-hole,
par 72 championship golf course situated in Sintra, only twenty minutes
from Lisbon. It forms part of the protected landscape area of Sintra
and Cascais.
Robert Trent
Jones II, the architect of the course, designed it to best
take account of the steeply sloping terrain and excellent views
of the surrounding landscape, across the mountains to the sea
beyond. This means that the first three holes and the final
three are laid out in a valley wooded with pines and studded
with granite outcrops.
The Penha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort
The sixth
to the 13th hole, meanwhile, have been built on a hill offering
extensive views over the region.
Its championship
characteristics - as well as its excellent level of maintenance
- contributed to its being selected, just two years after its
inauguration, to host the Portuguese Open Championship. It was
unanimously voted by golf professionals as one of the best courses
on the European Tour. In 1995 Penha Longa inaugurated a new
nine hole course.
Atlantico Course
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The Penha Longa
golf course enjoys championship characteristics, an excellent level
of maintenance and beautiful panoramic views over the Sintra mountain
range. In 1994 and 1995 it was the location for the Portuguese Open
Championships.
The setting of the
course can be considered the luxury of Portuguese golf. Located
in the parklands of what was once a 14th Century Convent that has been
extended through the ages and recently carefully restored. No expense
appears to have been saved in creating this course and the luxury Penha
Longa Hotel & Spa, managed by The Ritz Carlton Hotel
Company support it. The topographical layout is gently hilly.
The course offers water hazards, elevated greens and the challenge of
the wind. There is a separate nine-hole course named "Mosteiro".
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The driving
range
The driving
range is located near the first hole. You play from the grass.
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Hole #1
Hole 1 starts
into a little valley surrounded by lots of trees. The view is
magnificent, but keep an eye on the trees.
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Hole #5
The 5 is a
down hill Par 3 hole. The green is fairly large and the ground
is soft enough to keep your ball close to the landing zone.
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larger view
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larger view
Hole #6
The sixth is
the beautiful signature hole, rated by Britain's Golf World
Magazine as being among the top 500 holes in the world. Downhill
and downwind, the slight dogleg right is a cunning examination
of accuracy as cleverly placed bunkers are avoided on the journey
to the rather generous green.
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Hole #12
The 12 is a
long Par 4. To the left a few bunkers need to be considered.
To the right dense bushes resist finding your ball.
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larger view
Hole #15
The 15 is a
lovely challenge. You will play all the way over water, which
- as every golfer knows - is magnetic to golf balls.
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larger view
Click image for
larger view
Hole #18
The 18 is a
long Par 5, which you play through a small, but lovely valley.
If you place your first shot more to the left, you may play
your second onto the green.
On the right,
you will see the hotel behind the trees and on the left, you
will play towards the chapel. In any case, a remarkable hole
and a good finish for a marvellous golf course.
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