• On the Course

Daydream becomes reality at Palmares

The quality of the golf is matched by the vistas © Onyria Palmares

Enlarge

Onyria Palmares was opened to widespread acclaim earlier in June, with famed course architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr on hand to christen his latest creation, and the bar has been set high with a Ryder Cup the aim of owner Jose Carlos Pinto Coelho.

Portugal failed with its bid to host the 2018 renewal - with European Tour officials electing for the tried and trusted, and admittedly superb, Le Golf National course in France. Coelho is undeterred as he is convinced he has the blueprint to bring the Ryder Cup to his course on the outskirts of the Algarve town of Lagos "within 10 or 15 years".

"We did not succeed with our bid but I still hope that within 10 or 15 years I am sure we will have a Ryder cup in Portugal and with the work Robert has done, I am sure that in the middle of this 27 holes we have a choice for 18 holes to do that," Coelho said.

Is he right? Time will obviously tell, but ESPN was invited to the launch and had no hesitation in heading off to play a course that has been setting tongues wagging.

Palmares has been transformed from a course that in the words of Trent Jones Jnr "was simple and people liked it. But it was not exciting," to one that - following lengthy redevelopment work and hard bargaining with contractors and local planners - has a plan already in place for the 18 holes that could host championship events and, Coelho hopes, the Ryder Cup.

The plan for the starring 18 was not divulged, but I had the opportunity to play all 27 and although my untrained eye may not be the same as Trent Jones', I have a fair idea of the majority. And I am pretty convinced that 18 holes could be put together to test the best.

"We did make a composite design, much like Royal Melbourne has, of which we could take out 18 holes for a professional championship, which leaves the other nine holes for concessions, for a gallery and for the crowds. It is spread between all three of the nines. It is a combination that provides area in between the holes to allow the course to breathe in between all the things that a major tournament brings.

The train that cuts through the course really takes you on a sentimental journey © Onyria Palmares

Enlarge

"We have made a plan, which is subject to change, but because we have 27 holes we have enormous flexibility and because there is no housing here other than which is already zoned, the holes will remain open. Because it is scenic, television will want to be here, because it is the Algarve professionals will want to be here with their families.

"In time this place will host a championship if the ownership wishes to do that."

Not that that is the only aim, as Trent Jones added: "This piece of land was meant to be a golf course. Today we have something that people will want to play again, again and again. The weather is everything here, the invisible hazard, the fresh breezes, the air, the changing seasons, make this course changeable and ensure you will never be bored. We have 27 holes, so you can combine any of the nines to make 18 and you will never be bored.

"We have tried to balance the course to ensure the expert players, not necessarily professionals, but people who seek a great experience and each nine combined with any other nine would give you the same score if you were playing well and thinking well."

Those "expert" players will be faced with three sets of nine holes - Alvor, Lagos and Paria. The Alvor, holes one to nine, take the players on a parkland journey, with the holes sloping upward and then dropping into a valley. Holes four to seven really are striking, with stunning views out over Lagos Bay.

The nine holes of the Lagos marry parkland and heathland, incorporating the only two lakes on the course. The par-3 12th and par-4 15th. The management have a range of options on account of the tee running way back. We played it as a par five, but for a championship test it may be better served being a par four as the longer hitters in our group were able to breast the rise and turn a par five into a drive and six iron. A section of the course runs through sand dunes and players are offered a range of options off the tee - as the hole can be attacked in different ways, both aggressive and conservative, and it highlights Trent Jones' desire to make the golfer think.

The loop of nine that make up the Praia really are stunning. There are four shore holes that take the players through dunes and do give a feeling of links golf. It's tough to replicate the links courses of Scotland but Trent Jones feels Palmares offers a bit of everything.

"This is St Andrews south," he stated. "There is some links, a bit of gullen where you go in the hills. But it is better than Scotland because you have the fierce winds there and the rain that goes sideways. I think the traditions of the game are exhibited in the course. There are three styles in the course. We have the hilly and parkland areas where the bunkers are crafted and strategic, the heathland which is manmade even though it looks entirely natural, and the links style on those holes towards the sea where we restored the sand-dunes to what they were like originally and mimicked to the best we can the true links style where the ball is running. It is like a symphony and each of the nines has its character."

Robert Trent Jones Jnr: "This is St Andrews south" © Onyria Palmares

Enlarge

Trent Jones has a rich history of course design and he admitted his style has evolved over time, and being given free rein by Coelho is something he clearly relished.

"I think it was Lawrence of Arabia who said most people are night dreamers and they wake up in the morning and their dream has effervesced," he said. "But the daydreamers are people who dream when they are awake as they will fulfil their dreams. Mr Coelho is a daydreamer and I am happy to join him in his dreams."

Trent Jones feels Palmares will "age like a fine wine, getting better and better" and it is true to say that while the course is well placed to benefit from a loyal following as well as offering a test for professionals, the surrounding area is a work in progress.

Ground has been broken on the Onyria Palmares Hotel, which will be a 172-room complex offering fine dining, a spa and leisure complex. The hotel and accompanying Beach Villas are due to be completed in 2013 and as such members and patrons will have to put up with a fair amount of disruption.

The course is a little over 15 minutes' drive from the centre of Lagos, which is an ideal base for any stay in the region with its vibrant nightlife and excellent restaurants - while having a string of top-class tracks within an hour.

There is stunning golf all over the Algarve and Palmares is a fine addition to what is already on offer.

Golf:

Onyria Palmares:
Green Fees: 18 Holes € 95 High Season, € 70 Low season (January, July, August and December).

Places to stay:

Hotel Cascade
7 nights' golf and lifestyle package includes accommodation, breakfast, 3 rounds of golf at Palmares, rental car, €150 credit to use on food and drink, a wine tasting experience, trip to Ponta da Piedade Grottoes in Lagos and 20% off spa treatments.
Rates from €1,085 per person (based on two people sharing a double room).
Three-night packages are also available, offer subject to availabvility.

Tivoli Lagos
Tivoli Golf 7 nights' Stay & Play pacakges include accommodation sharing a Twin Room with breakfast, 5 rounds of golf at Palmares, transfers to Palmares Golf Course.
Rates from €398,00 per person.
Three-night packages are also available, offer subject to availabvility.

Getting there:
Leading leisure airline Monarch offers flights to Faro from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £38.99 one way (£67.99 return). In addition to year-round low fares, Monarch also offers a great range of products and services both on the ground and inflight. All customers are allocated a seat at check-in but for those wishing to select where in the cabin they sit and to ensure that families and groups are seated together, seats can be pre-booked from £7.99 per one-way flight. For customers looking for added comfort, extra legroom seats are also available offering up to six inches of extra space from only £17.99.

Customers travelling on scheduled flights can also avoid the queues at the airport and take advantage of online check-in, which is available between 18 days and 4.5 hours prior to departure. With a great range of tasty hot and cold meals that can be pre-booked or purchased onboard from only £3.00, flying with Monarch really couldn't be simpler.

For more information or to book, visit www.monarch.co.uk.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.