The Quinta da Ria
Golf Course
Located within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, this 18-hole golf course offers amazing views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the beach of Cacela Velha, which recently has been awarded amongst one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Right from the start of the round, you will be able to recognize the work and design of a world renowned Golf Course Architect – Rocky Roquemore.
The idea of the architect was to create a challenging golf course, yet maintaining the original natural landscape with thousands of ancient olive and carob trees.
Boasting five lakes dotted within flat terrain, the two sets of 9 holes contain a mixture of par’s trees, fours and fives. One of the most iconic points at Quinta da Ria is the 17th hole, which has a small island on the lake, now a sanctuary of endangered rare birds.
When playing this course, take a moment to appreciate the huge variety of wild life that inhabits this area.
Course details:
- Holes: 18
- Opening date: March 2002
- Par 72
- Architect: Rocky Roquemore
- Length: 6.053 m
- Grass type: Bent Crenshaw (Fairways, Tees and Greens)
Home of:
- PGA Europro Tour in 2003 and 2004 / Portugal Algarve Seniors Open 2005
- European Seniors Tour Qualifying / School in 2006, 2007 and 2008
- Portugal Algarve Ladies Open 2008
- BMW Golf Cup International 2008
- Algarve Pro Golf Tour 2017
Check out our Pro Tips
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1st Hole
● Good starting hole with trees left of tee.
● Best Line is towards large bunker right of the centre, leaving a good position to play second shot, with pitch to green.
PRO TIP -
2nd Hole
● Fairly easy short hole with bunkers front and left and rear.
● Mind major factor in selection of iron.
PRO TIP -
3rd Hole
● Trees either side of the fairway with bunker left slightly right of fairway is preferred area to play second shot, with the green protected by a wasteland bunker short left of the green and bunker right.
PRO TIP -
4th Hole
● Trees again either side of the fairway.
● Drive needs to be right of centre, allowing view of the green over a slight rise, looking down to the green with bunker left.
PRO TIP -
5th Hole
● Tricky par 3 with lake in front and large tree centre right of green.
● Long iron needed.
PRO TIP -
6th Hole
● Sweeping dog-leg right after drive bunker between bunkers, second shot hit at the marker post to give easier access for approach shot.
PRO TIP -
7th Hole
● A long hole uphill to an elevated well bunkered green.
● Drive over water well in centre of fairway, leaving quite a long carrying shot with bunkers all around front of green.
PRO TIP -
8th Hole
● Straightforward driving hole with trees either side of fairway, leaving second shot to green with a bunker at the back.
PRO TIP -
9th Hole
● Trees either side.
● Driving towards the clubhouse, medium iron to green out of bounds at rear of green.
PRO TIP -
10th Hole
● Out of bounds all down the left, drive needs to be either short of large bunker in centre of fairway, or to the right, leaving you a choice of going for the green with your second over a large lake on the right of the fairway all the way to the green.
● Alternatively play your second shot over the very large tree known as "The Love Tree" in the middle of the fairway towards the left side of the green and chip in.
PRO TIP -
11th Hole
● Drive between bunkers, second shot over the rise towards the green and pitch to a well guarded green out of bounds, all down the left.
PRO TIP -
12th Hole
● Short par 4, keeping drive to the right of fairway with short second to green.
● Whilst playing this hole look to your left to see the stuning view of the coastline from Vila Real de Stº António towards Cabanas and Tavira.
PRO TIP -
13th Hole
● Long par 3 with huge bunker left of the green and bunker on right.
● This shot needs accuracy and usually plays a wood, depending on the wind. A good challenge!
PRO TIP -
14th Hole
● Played as a dog-leg, a short wood or medium iron to the middle of fairway, then second shot over a lake to the green.
PRO TIP -
15th Hole
● Out of bounds left keep drive right of left of fairway bunker.
● Second shot straightforward to green with bunkers left and right.
PRO TIP -
16th Hole
● Out of bounds left, water right, ideal shot from tee is to aim for left-hand bunker, once on the fairway avoid the water now on both sides, keeping your second shot towards the right side of the fairway, leaving you with a shot to the green over the left water hazard.
PRO TIP -
17th Hole
● Depending on the wind, a long iron to medium iron to the green with water on the right.
● Ideal shot is to come in from the left, just inside the bunker left of the green.
PRO TIP -
18th Hole
● Good finishing hole, keeping the drive up the right side of fairway.
● Make sure you do not reach the left bunker with a tree in the middle. Reasonably long second to carry the bunker in front of the green bail out area either short left or bunker left.
PRO TIP
