Morgado Golf is the one of the newest additions to the Algarve. There are two courses planned for site – the first was opened in February 2003 and second is due to be playable by October 2005. North of Portimão, Morgado is set in a large 980-hectare estate within a series of small valleys.
The parkland course is designed by European Golf Design’s Russell Talley, a Scottish-American who brings elements from both these great golfing nations together. Morgado is a parkland course with links-style bunkers, an interesting combination that works really well. The large greens will test your putting skills for distance. The accuracy of your game will be questioned by deep bunkers placed along most of the fairways and around most of the greens. On many occasions you might be surprised to find yourself in a hidden trap. The course also boasts some wide open fairways, the occasional water hazard and some outstanding scenery.
The first nine holes are basically flat, with some undulating fairways to make things a little difficult. They head away from the clubhouse and then sharply u-turn back. The back nine holes head to the hills and, when the wind is up, can be tricky. We played during the hottest part of the day, but at altitude the heat wasn’t a problem, which was a relief and means the course is can be played all year round. At 6,675 metres long, the par 73 Morgado Golf Course is one of the longest in the region.
From gentle beginnings
The opening hole, a 305-metre par 4, doglegs slightly to the right. Aim your drive over the two small trees on the right side of the fairway – an out of bounds area runs down the left side. On the left side, hidden from view, is a deep pothole bunker within driving range – the fairway narrows here with bunkers on both sides. The green slopes from back to front and is guarded at the front by four bunkers and at the back by one bunker on the right.
The second par 4 is 343 metres long and also doglegs slightly to right. Again, you want to place your drive towards that side of the fairway. This gives the best approach to the green, which is guarded at the front by two deep bunkers.
The third is the first of five par 5s that this course offers. At 499 metres, the tee shot requires some accuracy. Out of bounds runs down the run, with water on the left, and within second shot distance a large bunker awaits. The large green undulates from back to front and needs careful reading.
The par 4 fourth has bunkers placed right and left at driving distance. There is also water on the left side, but it shouldn’t really come into play. A large, slightly sloping green awaits, with a bunker on the right side. The first par 3, 188 metres long, follows. The large green has bunkers to the front right and left and slopes from back to front. Be careful here – the wind can cause problems.
Aim your drive towards the bunker on the left side of the sixth fairway – this gives the best approach. A bunker divides the fairway between the 100 and 150 metre markers, so the left side has more room, and will also avoid the out of bounds along the right side of this hole.
The second of five
At the seventh, a par 5 of 451 metres, aim towards the right side from the tee. The water on the left shouldn’t pose a problem, but where the water ends the sand begins, and hidden bunkers await. The fairway undulates and could provide some interesting lies. Stick to the right side of the fairway for the best approach to the green, as there are bunkers on the left. The green dips in the centre and runs down from back left to front right. To the left side of the green is a bunker that is not really visible from the fairway.
The eighth, a par 3 of 179 metres, has a very inviting, large, flat green with two large bunkers strangely placed far to the left. This hole plays slightly uphill heading towards the clubhouse.
On to the ninth, a short par 4, there are bunkers scattered down the left side. Staying to the left will probably give the best approach, as a large bunker guards the front right side and another sits at the left side of this large slightly sloping green.
Heading back out
The tenth is an uphill par 5 of 468 metres. There are numerous hidden bunkers along both sides of the green, so it is probably best to aim your drive towards the centre-right of the fairway. From the tee the fairway looks wide and inviting. Your second shot is over the crest of the hill, and the hole runs downhill and slightly to the right. The tenth green is a large, mainly flat, and kidney-shaped, with two bunkers guarding the right-hand side.
There are wonderful views over the course and the countryside from the eleventh tee. The hole, a 150-metre par 3, plays over a slight valley, and the green is long and thin, sloping from right to left. This is probably the highest point on the course and the wind will play its part, so club selection is important. The twelfth has hidden bunkers on the right and left that will catch most wayward drives, the hole runs downhill and slopes from right to left. The green is very small, which makes this hole a bit of challenge in windy conditions.
On the par-5 thirteenth, drive to the left of the fairway. Once around the slight dogleg, the fairway straightens nicely and gives you a good view of the green, which slopes from right to left and has bunkers waiting on both sides. Aim slightly towards the right side of the fairway on the fourteenth, as a hidden bunker awaits to the left. A good drive will leave you with a good chip shot to get onto the welcoming green. The green itself is large and has a saddle running across the centre to test your putting skills.
The fifteenth is a 291-metre all-uphill par 4 to one of the smallest greens on the course. The fairway has numerous bunkers along the left and one to right. A two-tiered green awaits that slopes from back to front, and it is guarded by two bunkers on the front right.
Last of the par 5s
At 495 metres, the sixteenth has bunkers on the left side of the fairway, but it is probably best to aim towards them for a good second shot. The fairway heads uphill, and from its top you’ll get the best view of the green. Again, there are two bunkers guarding the front right-hand approach and the green slopes from back to front. The seventeenth has an elevated tee and a slightly elevated green. Bunkers surround the front, so club selection is important. The wind can be a nuisance on this hole, but trees shield the back of the green.
Standing on the eighteenth tee, looking down at the wide open fairway (which has bunkers scattered both sides), drive slightly to the left. This gives the best approach to the green, which is probably the narrowest on the course and could be a challenge to hit with a long iron. Once there, make sure you are on the same side as the hole, otherwise you’ll be facing a challenging lengthy putt.
The Morgado Clubhouse, with its sober architecture and spacious bar area, serves drinks and food. It’s the perfect location to unwind and contemplate what might have been. With a wonderful view over twelve of the eighteen holes from the southern terrace, you can relax and in your head replay the shots all over again.
