Frank Pennink, one of the best European golf architects, designed the Aroeira golf course on a 345-hectare estate, at Fonte de Telha, about 20 quilometres from Lisbon. It is already considered to be « the Wentworth» of Portugal, because it is built in a pinetree forest.

The course measures 6,040 metres from the back. tees and some holes deserve special attention. While the outward half is somewhat monotonous, the second nine include some noteworthy holes.

The 11^th, a 362-metre par 4 requires a second shot of considerable accuracy as its green is defended on the left by a lake and on the right a frightening bunker awaits the slicers. The 14^th hole, perhaps the most famous one at Aroeira, is a short par 3, just 128 metres in length but where the lake is an authentic « black hole» that attracts everything.

Next, the l5^th, one of our favourite par 5's, requires positioning of both drive and second stroke so as to avoid the trees on the left, and then a precise shot to the green to steer away from the bunkers and a lake. Its winding fairway is most attractive.

Many amateur competitions take place at Aroeira nowadays and some of the most important firms hold tournaments there, with a reference for the Portuguese Open that toke place here in 1996, 1997, 1998.

Another course of 18 holes opened in April 2000.

[In O Golfe em Portugal - Fernando Nunes Pedro - Texto Editora-Andersen Consulting]
Drawing: ICEP

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