Penina Golf Club, Alvor

Today we played our first round of golf. During our stay, we will play at 7 different golf courses. Five of them will be played for the first time.

First up, a premiere for us, we are heading to Penina Golf Club.

It is one of the most renowned and traditional golf courses in Portugal. The course was designed by golfing legend Sir Henry Cotton and was the first real golf course in the Algarve, opening in the 1960s. The course is located near Portimão in Alvor and features a classic layout in the style of a traditional parkland course, characterized by its generous fairways and numerous water hazards.

Penina has three golf courses, of which the Championship Course is the most famous. This 18-hole, Par 73 course is known for its challenging design and tests golfers of all levels, particularly due to strategically placed bunkers and trees. Water hazards come into play often (as mentioned).

The signature hole is Hole 13, a Par 3 with a pond right in front of the green, demanding the utmost precision.

The landscape is characterized by pines, eucalyptus trees, and a park-like setting that creates a pleasant playing atmosphere.

The Penina Championship Course is known for its challenging design. Sir Henry Cotton designed the course so that every mistake is punished, making it ideal for golfers seeking a challenge. The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course has hosted 10 Portuguese Opens and numerous other prestigious tournaments.

The narrow, tree-lined fairways require perfect placement of drives to avoid landing in the thick trees. Hampi had quite a bit of trouble with that.

The many bunkers located around the greens and along the fairways add to the pressure. And the water hazards – especially at some key holes – make it essential to weigh risks against safety carefully.

I felt like I hit every bunker (somehow it follows me) and sank 3 balls in the water. The Penina Championship Course is notorious for its numerous bunkers and water hazards, trapping even experienced golfers. This “bunker tour” has almost become a Penina ritual – many players report similar experiences! (Which reassures me immensely). The bunkers are positioned to punish any inaccurate approach or drive. And the water hazards encourage one to stay calm during strategic shots. At certain holes, it simply feels like the water and bunkers are magnetically attracting balls.

The course design also ensures that one must use a variety of shots and all clubs in the bag to navigate through the round successfully. Those who do well here can be proud of their achievements! For us, the round will be logged as