PORTUGAL - LISBON - ESTORIL - GOLF

"Penha Longa Golf Club is a delight to the eye: undulating, as richly green as emeralds and surrounded by cool, cool water. The course is justifiably considered an oasis - a river on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Additional inherent attributes include Penha Longa’s location within the confines of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Robert Trent Jones Jr. has designed only two courses in Portugal: they are the Atlantic and Monastery courses at Penha Longa. The 18-hole Atlantic has hosted numerous tournaments, among which the Portuguese Open figures twice. It is rated No. 32 in continental Europe by Golf World. The nine-hole Monastery course complements it perfectly. Head Receptionist Helder Ferreira calls Penha Longa, “A just course. You can make safe choices or take risks, but nothing is hidden here.” Overly ambitious players may get into trouble, but as a poet said, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.”The course begins with four Par 4 holes, allowing you to ease into your game. Pine trees and eucalyptus trees on a half dozen holes (1,2,3 and16,17,18) make accuracy a must. Number 6, Penha Longa’s signature hole, is a beautiful hole with a Roman aqueduct as part of its attractions. It is listed among the best 500 in the world. Not to forget your game while admiring the layout: spacious bunkers are in abundance and a large lake waits serenely to the left of the green. Hole 16 is the most demanding of skills and is recognised as a great hole by even those it has thwarted: the tee is elevated, the fairway slopes uphill towards the green; and hazards lay to both left and right.Facilities include two putting greens, driving range and a neat pitch set up. All of these are well out of the public eye and ideal for some concentrated warm up."