Vilamoura has long been known as one of Europe’s top golfing destinations, offering incomparable accommodation options for both visitors and residents as well as excellent golfing services and facilities.
As part of its Vilamoura XXI Programme, Lusotur Golfes, S.A.(one of the firms in the Lusotur Group) began work on a different project and on the complete reconstruction of the Laguna 9-hole North course along with nine new holes. Together, these eighteen holes became the Millennium competition course inaugurated on the 1st of June 2000.
Designed by English architect Martin Hawtree, Millennium is surely one of the most beautiful golf courses ever built in Portugal. This is especially due to its excellent positioning in the surrounding landscape, to the investment made in forestation and landscaping and to the quality and diversity of the course itself, resulting from the extreme care taken in its design and building.
Tips given by professional players and based on white tees:
1
A short par-4 opener that doglegs right about 100 metres before the green. The right hand side is defended by a copse and a ditch, as well as an out-of-bounds area which is the 9th hole. The bottom of the flag is not visible for the approach since the green is elevated. About 35 metres short of the green is a bunker at the foot of the slope and another guards the right front corner.
2
At 391 metres off the raised back (white) tee this straight and flattish par-4 demands two long, accurate shots to reach the putting surface. A bunker just off the fairway can trap a hooked drive and two others are strategically placed at either side of the green.
3
The longest par-3 on the card at 202 metres from the white tee, but only 121 metres for the ladies. A combination of length and precision is required to end up on the expansive roller -coaster green, with bunkers on each side, the left one being the larger of the two.
4
A par-5 that is lined with pine-trees from tee to green. A small pond in front of the tee is merely a psychological hazard, and keeping to the fairway is the main secret. Mounds to the right of the speedy green can deflect a wayward approach away from that side.
5
This 423-metre par-4 is stroke index 1 and is a slight dogleg left. Pines encroach on to the edge of the left hand side of the fairway and a long drive can reach a bunker to the right. A dip just before the green may hamper the long approach shot to an elongated green bunkered on either side.
6
A tester of a par-3 as the green is set between a lake on the left and a bunker on the opposite side. The 26-metre long green which is narrow at the entrance accentuates the need for accuracy.
7
Another challenging though not daunting par-4 and the last one in the pinewoods. Again a narrow fairway with some trees, especially on the left that can block out an errant tee-shot. On the approach the same difficulty arises on the right hand side and the green slopes generally from right to left where two small bunkers lurk in expectation.
8
The wide open spaces tempt players to hit out on this par-5 that is reachable in two shots but the drive must be navigated clear of two bunkers on the left, between 218 and 187 metres from the green. A slight depression before the green can prevent a long second shot from rolling on to it.
9
Short par-4 dogleg left where long hitters can clear both left hand side bunkers and set up a birdie chance by leaving a half wedge approach shot. Some danger with trees in the rough, mainly on the right. Also, take care with the undulations on the large, upward sloping green.
10
Fairly straightforward par-4, 339 metres off the white tee. A drive with draw will steer away from the large bunker just off the fairway on the right, leaving a comfortable iron towards a green guarded by bunkers on either side.
11
Tailored for the straight hitter, this par-5 includes three bunkers to trap off-line drives. Two more on the left, starting 58 metres from the front of the green, can force players to lay up short to allow for a full shot into the welcoming green that slopes up to the back.
12
A fairway wood and mid- to short-iron shot are enough to land on the green on this par-4, only 317 metres from the back tee. Be careful with putts from the back down to the front as this green tends to be fast and has subtle breaks.
13
Usually advisable not to under-club on this par-3 in order to clear the large bunker that fronts the green which has its widest portion up towards the back. The narrow entrance to the sloping green is protected on the right by another bunker.
14
On this short par-4 it is an advantage to clear the two bunkers on either side of the fairway between 80 and 100 metres from the green as the approach must be played with a high-lofted iron. This is because the green is offset awkwardly to the right and the bunkering on both sides offers a narrow target.
15
A short par-3 to a green surrounded by five bunkers, but an interesting challenge. Most players are content with two putts on the treacherous two-tiered putting surface which slopes from top right to bottom left.
16
At stroke index 2, this 378-metre hole can cause problems to anyone playing it for the first time. The green is not visible from the tee as the fairway rises steadily for the first 230 metres and then slopes downwards. Aim to land your drive in the triangle formed by three bunkers just off the fairway. The gently undulating green is protected by three more bunkers but the narrow entrance will test your long approach play especially if the shot is blind.
17
A large lake on the right or two bunkers on the opposite side can attract an off-line drive on this short par-4. The green, which is 41 metres from front to back, is within reach of an uphill 9-iron or wedge approach.
18
A good challenging par-5 closing hole measuring 504 metres from the white tee. There is not much margin for error off the tee: out of bounds right, and a tight landing area between a ong lake left and a bunker at the edge of the fairway. The second shot must stay right to keep away from the water which extends close to the left hand side of the green. An iron shot is recommended until one can see the lie of the land and then it is a wedge approach to get home.
Information:
Founded
2000
Architect
Martin Hawtree & Sons
Proprietor
Oceânico Golf, S.A.
Director
Eduardo de Sousa
Professional
Abílio Coelho
Green Keeper
Simão da Cunha
Main events on this course
Map:
Oceânico Millennium - Apartado 970 8126-912 Vilamoura, Portugal
Directions:
GPS
37º06'27.91"N 8º08'09.69"W
If you are coming from Lisbon or Porto, take the A2 motorway in the direction of the Algarve and when you reach the A22 Via do Infante motorway head in the direction of Faro. Continue until the exit to Vilamoura, then continue straight on and at the traffic lights turn left on to the EN 125 in the direction of Faro. After a few kilometres, the entrance to Vilamoura is on your right.
