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By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

The Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region where the sun shines year round and temperatures seldom stray far from the 70's and 80's, is a true vacationers paradise. The 90 miles of shoreline is one of the most beautiful in all of Europe; a picture-postcard necklace of small coves, bays and inlets with pristine golden sand beaches, constantly washed by the Atlantic surf.

Henry Cotton's Penina still ranked as one of the best.

In much the same way as Tuscany is to Italy and Provence to France, The Algarve is Portugal's land of good living. Here life is laid back and taken at an easy enough pace to be able to savor each moment -- and there is much to savor. It's a region with a rich culture and a colorful history that extends back to the beginnings of time. There are medieval towns and villages to explore, museums to visit and shopping opportunities to be taken advantage of.

Good food and wine are here in abundance and for those who choose, there's a lively night scene, including nightclubs, bars and casinos where lady luck can be tested. Making a good thing even better, the local Algarveans are among the warmest and most welcoming people in Europe. This is truly one of the world's beautiful places where there is so much to see and do, yet no real reason to do anything at all. For golfers, the temptations of this Garden of Eden are even more difficult to resist.

Quinta do Lago's South Course was designed by an American, William Mitchell

The Algarve's rise to prominence as one of the best golfing destinations in all of Europe has become increasingly evident during recent years, as a careful, pragmatic evolution of its golfing infrastructure has taken place. More than half of Portugal's best golf courses, many ranked among Europe's top 50, are concentrated along this 90-mile stretch of stunningly handsome, Atlantic coast.

Understanding the rapidly increasing importance of The Algarve in the global golf picture, the world's leading golf architects have been drawn to the region in growing numbers. All eager to share in the golfing fame being heaped upon this precious corner of Portugal they come to create a shining example of their very best work. This will be their legacy, a lasting memorial to their name and the way they are remembered for their contribution to the game of golf. The Algarve is benefiting from the superb new courses being added to an already remarkable golf inventory.

Vilamoura's Victoria Club - a touch of genius from Arnold Palmer

Henry Cotton was the pioneer of design geniuses who first set The Algarve's future golf career in motion, more than 40 years ago. His exceptional design at Penina is still considered one of the best. Another noted English designer, Frank Pennink, soon followed and was responsible for the original two layouts at Vilamoura, now acknowledged as being the most spectacular golf resort in Europe. Then came the first of the great American designers; Ronald Fream, Joseph Lee and William Mitchell, leading the race to leave their indelible mark on what was fast becoming Europe's most fashionable golf destination.

But fashion is frivolous and The Algarve's approach to golf is not - this is a place where the Royal & Ancient game is taken very seriously, with a firm commitment to excellence and the long term. The ambitious goal of becoming the world's foremost golf destination is within reach and with the determination to achieve the objective through careful planning, quality courses and a strong sensitivity to the environment, it will only be a matter of time before The Algarve attains its goal.

Jack Nicklaus' first design in Portugal - Monte Rei Golf Club

The methodical development of one of the world's great golfing wonders called The Algarve goes on unabated and top international architects continue to contribute their best work. Hawtree, Roquemore and Steel have been joined more recently by other great names of golf design.

Arnold Palmer has delivered a truly outstanding design at Vilamoura's Victoria Club, which hosted the WGC World Cup within a year of it's opening in 2005. Already considered Portugal's top ranked course, more glory comes to Victoria this autumn when it takes on an important role as a regular stop for The European Tour and the permanent venue for the new, Portugal Masters.

Jack Nicklaus has also joined the club and for his first Portugal design ever, selected an amazing site on the charmingly under developed, Eastern Algarve coast. Monte Rei Golf and Country Club opened in June to accolades from all of Europe's normally, harshly critical golf press. Nicklaus has clearly done himself and The Algarve proud with an outstanding course, magnificently located with sweeping views of the Serra do Caldeirao Mountains to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It would be difficult to conjure up a more dramatic setting.

Seve Ballesteros' new Quinto do Vale course on the Algarve opens next month

Not wishing to be out maneuvered by any of his previous, tour playing competitors, Seve Ballesteros has also jumped into the fray and whether by coincidence or otherwise, selected another Eastern Algarve site, not too far from Jack Nicklaus's signature course at Monte Rei. Scheduled to open in October this year, Quinta do Vale holds every promise of being yet another top of the line layout and a definite challenger for the title of Best New European Course of 2007. Seve and Jack are back, competing with each other once again!

Quinta do Vale enjoys a unique location, sitting in Portugal, overlooking the Guadiana River, the natural border with Spain. With spectacular views across the river to Spain in one direction and the Atlantic Ocean to the other, Ballesteros has produced an eye-dazzler of a layout that is as challenging as it is good-looking. Fortunately, a selection of tee boxes reduces the hefty 7,100 yards down to lengths more approachable by mere mortals and a track that will appeal to all skill levels. Those with an innate fear of water may still have a stiff challenge however, as the wet stuff comes into play on more than half the holes.

Nick Faldo was on site recently to check on progress on his first Algarve design near Silves

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Quinta do Vale is certainly destined for a great future, but it will take a few months longer before we know if Seve or Jack walks away as the winner in this battle of the design giants.

But The Algarve's quality golf development is far from over. There are more exciting new projects underway, all accompanied by the names of noted course architects, eager to be a part of The Algarve success story. Among them, Nick Faldo and Ireland's Christy O'Connor Jr., each of whom has designed an 18 hole layout for a new 36 hole resort complex scheduled to open near the ancient Algarve capital of Silves in 2008.

The Algarve is an excellent vacation spot for anyone looking for sunshine, glorious beaches, culture, history and fine gastronomy, but for the golfer looking to play a selection of Europe's top ranked courses while savoring the best of the good life, there's no better place on this planet.

For a few ideas on how to get the most out of a golf trip to Portugal's Algarve, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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