Designed by the architect Donald Steel, with 18 long holes that contour 6 large lakes, Aroeira's second championship golf course was inaugurated in April 2000. Aroeira II was built to European Tour recommendation standards in order to host major international golf events.
One of the course's characteristics is its 5 tees per hole, making it suitable for all levels of players.
The course has a fairly different concept from Aroeira 1, consisting of large fast greens, some of which are more than 700 m2 and are equipped with Penn A2 grass. Aroeira II is the first Portuguese golf course to use this type of grass on its greens, which can be cut to a height of only 2 mm. Despite its inviting nature of greens, the course becomes increasingly difficult as you move from hole number 1 to number 9 (stroke 1), as well as from number 10 to number 18 (stroke 2). There are bunkers on the fairways, some of them in the Scottish style of pot bunkers. But the sand traps are not the only obstacle that have to be taken into account: because of the course's five large lakes, water is a fairly constant hazard, particularly at the last nine holes.
Tips given by professional players and based on white tees:
1
A relatively straight hole with a bunker to the right of the fairway and a difficult approach to the green, which is protected by three bunkers on the left.
2
A very tricky hole with a raised tee and bunkers on both sides of the fairway where the ball lands. The green is protected by two bunkers to the left and water to the right and rear.
3
This relatively short hole has two bunkers on the right of the fairway. The green is protected by bunkers at the front and to the right.
4
The fairway has a slight dogleg to the left and a bunker on the right. The second shot is affected by a cluster of tall pine trees in the center of the fairway with 2 bunkers in the middle.
5
A long hole whose fairway narrows near the green which is protected by a bunker on the right.
6
A long hole, normally played into a headwind. The green is protected by water to the left and two bunkers to the right.
7
A relatively short but very dangerous hole. Water runs almost all the way along the right hand side of the fairway and there is a bunker on the left of the green.
8
The shortest of the par 3 holes, it has 2 bunkers on the right. The green slopes down and there is a creek to the rear.
9
The hole has a slight dogleg to the right, water on the right, and the green is protected by a bunker on the left.
10
There is water to the right when you drive and a bunker to the right of the green.
11
This hole has a raised tee, bunkers to the left and right of the fairway. There is a slight dogleg to the left and the green is protected by a bunker to the front and left.
12
A difficult hole with water at the front, rear and right of the green.
13
A relatively easy hole, with a small lake to the front of the tee. The green is protected on both sides by a bunker.
14
The hole has a raised tee and the green is protected by a bunker on each side.
15
A short hole with water running all the way along the right hand side of the fairway and green. There is a bunker to the left of the fairway, while the green is protected by bunkers on both sides.
16
A short hole with two bunkers 150m from the tee and to the right of the fairway. The green is raised and has two bunkers on the left.
17
A long hole, especially when there is a headwind. A bunker on the right of the fairway and two very deep bunkers to the right of the green.
18
A very tricky hole with water starting at a drive’s distance and continuing along the right of the fairway until almost the green. The green is protected by a bunker to the right and rear and water to the front and left.
Information:
Founded
2000
Architect
Donald Steel
Proprietor
Silcoge - Soc Const. de Obras Gerais, S. A.
Director
Francisco Pinto Leite
Professional
Joaquim Moura
Green Keeper
João Cabral
Main events on this course
Portugal Open 1996/1997
Ladies Portugal Open 2004
Map:
Aroeira II - Herdade da Aroeira, Fonte da Telha 2815-207 Charneca da Caparica, Portugal
Directions:
GPS
38º34'28.44"N 9º10'20.21"W
Drive out of Lisbon to the south on the A2 (IC3) to Setúbal. Immediately after crossing the bridge take the first slip road to the right to Costa da Caparica and drive west. At the second traffic lights turn to the left and then follow the directional signs with the word 'Golfe'.
