Praia d'el Rey Golf
Vale de Janelas, Amoreira 2510-451, Obidos, Portugal.
GPS; LAT; 39º 23' 07" N. LONG: 9º 16' 58" W
Praia d’el Rey Golf
Based in Obidos, Lisbon
Praia d’el Rey on the Silver coast is arguably one of the most stunning golf courses in Europe. Set amongst extensive fragrant pine forests, water hazards and undulating dunes, with spectacular views over the Atlantic and the Berlenga Islands beyond. Deep bunkers, sloping greens and sandy dunes contrast sharply with the lush fairways, making it the complete golfing challenge. There are many properties surrounding the Course but they do not take away from the enviable experience that this course has to offer.
This well maintained popular course is a mixture of seaside links (back 9) and parkland holes (front 9), offering golfers of all levels a unique experience. It is walkable (the seaside holes are glorious to walk past) although some of the distances from the tees to the greens can be long (around 25% of clients take a buggy). It’s designer, American architect Cabell B Robinson was reported as saying ‘This is the kind of landscape we architects try to create, but at Praia d’el Rey it’s all here, naturally. Now it’s my responsibility to protect it’. He made an excellent job of doing just that.
The early holes head gently uphill and then downhill towards the coast and the amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. After a reasonably comfortable dogleg 1st hole, the 2nd is a cracking Par 5 with water on the right and challenging bunkers and rough areas. From the 4th hole the course turns inland for the rest of the front 9 and the pick of the holes are the long Par 4 5th, the Par 3 8th that requires accuracy to carry the large lake to the oval green protected by bunkers at the rear and the 9th which is a great finish to the front 9. It may be fairly straight, but it measures 393 metres and it’s all uphill with a narrow fairway and 9 bunkers to avoid. All of the back 9 are worthy holes. They start with a superb Par 5, with a tricky green protected by a deep bunker on the left and an even deeper lake on the right. Holes 12 to 15 run along the coast and are great tests of golf with or without the often present Atlantic breezes. The challenging 17th is also worth a mention; a monstrous uphill, bunker free Par 5 measuring 570 metres yet giving you the opportunity of a birdie. The 18th could be a little better and provide the finish that a Course like this deserves.
The Praia d’el Rey Golf course opened in June 1997 and was designed by Cabell B Robinson.
18 holes, Par 72
Black; 6434
White; 6158 m, Slope 129
Yellow; 5716 m, Slope 124
Blue; 5231 m, Slope 123
Red; 4874 m, Slope 118
The total length is 6434 m
Handicap; Men; 36 Ladies; 36
Facilities; Clubhouse with views over the 10th hole, restaurant, bar, pro shop, 30 post driving range (partly covered), putting green, practice bunker, golf lessons, rental clubs, trolleys and buggies.
The Praia d’el Rey Golf Resort also has a 5 star Marriott Hotel, a Spa and self-catering luxury villas, town houses (The Beachfront) and apartments (The Village). Praia d'el Rey also manages the nearby West Cliffs Links Golf Course.
Praia d’el Rey Golf Resort address; Vale de Janelas, Amoreira 2510-451, Obidos, Portugal.
Praia d’el Rey Golf Resort GPS; LAT; 39º 23' 07" N. LONG: 9º 16' 58" W.