The Golden Eagle (Quinta de Briçal) is set on a property near Rio Maior, 55 kms north of Lisbon.
This championship course, designed by Rocky Roquemore of Atlanta, USA, occupies almost the double of an ordinary course. It is also unique because of the beautiful natural setting and the calm that reigns, the space available and the golden eagles that circle over the property in the late afternoons. You will find pine trees, eucalyptus, mimosas, camellias, hydrangeas and a lot of other eyecatching plants bordering the fairways.
The fairway grass, Penn Eagle, is not often seen in Europe. Greens have Penn Cross and are quite sizeable but not too undulated. Bunkers are plentiful (87 altogether!) and, in many cases, very large. Seven water hazardas really only affect the 'wide' golfer.
Tips given by professional players and based on white tees:
1
Your drive should be placed to the left of centre of the fairway, in order to give you an easier second shot to a well protected green, with two bunkers on the right, and one to the back left.
2
You should drive to the left half of the fairway, a well struck drive, will give you a chance to go for the green, on this not so long par 5.
3
This will take a good six or seven iron, to a very generous green.
4
The second longest par four on the course, you must drive to the left side of the fairway, in order to have a chance to go for the big and yet difficult green.
5
A good drive to the left of the fairway bunker, will give you an easy second shot to a two tier green.
6
It requires a medium to longish iron to get to this generous target.
7
Your tee shot should be aimed at the 150 meters marker, you then have a medium iron to a very difficult green through a narrow channel of pine trees.
8
This one is a gem, hit a good drive to the center of the fairway, then a good long iron or a fairway wood, to the right of the pine tree, and this leaves you with an easy shot to the green, it’s a long hole yet a fair one.
9
Your drive must be played over the left corner of the fairway; you then have a medium iron to a big green.
10
Play your drive close to the trees on the right with a bit of a fade, and you possibly will make a birdie.
11
This is the longest par four on the course, play your drive to the left of the lake, and if you hit a good one, this will give you a chance to hit this green with a longish iron over the water.
12
The easiest par three with a big green.
13
This one looks easier than it really is, hit your drive just right of the left bunker, and then you can go for this not so easy two tier green with a shorter iron.
14
Water on the left, bunker on the right, you must place your tee shot in between those two, this will make your second shot an easy task.
15
Hit a good drive to the centre of the fairway, and your par is assured, otherwise, be ware of the ditch across the fairway, and those green side bunkers will be waiting for any stray shots.
16
A good par three, with a narrow and tricky green, easy to three putt if you are not on the right side of the hole.
17
A good drive over the left fairway bunker, will give you a good chance of hitting this green with ease.
18
Hit your drive to the right of the fairway, and you can par this one, leave your second shot bellow the hole so you have an uphill putt.
Information:
Founded
1994
Architect
Rocky Roquemore
Proprietor
Camin, S.A.
Director
António Maia
Professional
Manuel Bento
Green Keeper
Carlos Salgado
Main events on this course
Map:
Golden Eagle - Quinta do Brinçal - Arrouguelas - 2040-998 Rio Maior, Portugal
Directions:
GPS
39º15'24.07"N 8º55'09.58"W
Drive out of Lisbon on the A1 (IP1) towards Coimbra, At Santarém take the Óbidos/Caldas da Rainha Exit. Drive westward long the A15 and then turn right at Rio Maior. Look to the right side for directions to the course.
