Oitavos Golfe lies within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It is set among pine woods and reforested dunes, in an area of great natural beauty. Being a seaside golf course, the ocean view is present all the time, although some of the more fantastic scenery come from the Sintra mountains and Cabo da Roca the Europe's most western point in Europe, seen from the 9, 10, 11 and 14 holes.
The layout has been carefully crafted by one of the greatest golf architects of our times, ex-president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Arthur Hills. Hills has maintained and preserved the unique caracteristics of the land, creating a 6.303 metre, par 71 golf course.
The environmental certification was done in cooperation with Audubon International, an American environamental association.
The sustainability of the resources is the prior objective, and because of that the flora and fauna peculiar to the region are strictly protected, being some areas closed to people and machines.
Quinta da Marinha Oitavos Golfe is the 1st Golf Course in Europe and the 2nd in the Word being recognized as a Certified Signature Sanctuary - Gold. It is already set as one of the best golf courses in Europe, where a non stress round of golf can be played all year round.
Tips given by professional players and based on white tees:
1
A friendly opening tee shot, where any quest for length adds to the demand for accuracy as the fairway narrows beyond 250 metres. The second shot is to a bowl shaped green surrounded by dunes. A well flighted shot carrying on to the green is the best option, but the absence of bunkers allows for a skilful 'chase' shot, on to the gently undulating putting surface. Play a little left as the ball will run in from this side.
2
Driving from an elevated tee, a bunker on the right centre of the fairway at 250 meters is a good line. Trying to miss this trap on the left does not make an easier second shot, so a driver is not a must here. The green receives the ball nicely and a good lofted approach should offer a birdie chance. Take it if you get it!
3
The most straightforward par 3 on the course. Driving out of a chute of pines, there are rough and bunkers to carry. The ability to hit an high fade, will make this shot easier. High handicap players, who find hitting an high carrying shot difficult, may find the area in front of the bunkers an easier target for the tee shot.
4
Another birdie chance! The bunkers down the right warn the player to keep left off the tee and this is the best line in but do not hook too far left, as the Driving Range, well left, is out-of-bounds. A small green protected by clever mounding requires good feel for length and trajectory with the short iron approach.
5
A drive drawn away from the bunkers dividing the 5th and 6th fairways will set up the easiest second shot, to a green where only the back edge is visible. Play for the back edge. This is a long, slightly uphill hole and most will be short in two shots.
6
There is much more room to the left than appears ftom the tee at this dogleg right. Keep away from the bunkers on the right and set up a shot straight down the green. The small dip in front of the green can deceive length perception, so believe the measurement from this booklet, for your approach shot.
7
The very long hitter may be able to draw a drive away from the right hand fairway trap, setting up a chance to reach the green in two. lf there is any wind against, it is better to play on the lineof this bunker and then to carry to the area over the second group of fairway bunkers. In any cross wind, a low approach using the long green space, is advisable. The length of the green places a premium on gauging the exact distance to avoid a three putt.
8
The toughest hole on the course! The drive sets up nicely for a player who can draw the ball. The well struck tee shot to the flat area on the highest point of the fairway, gives a view of the second shot. Downhill with a spine runffing down the centre, the ideal is to carry the undulations and reach the flat area, from 100 metres in to the green.
9
The shortest hole on the course but a testy one! The green is concave and a ball hít to the front section can easily spin back off the green. Correct club selection and control of trajectory is vital. lt may be worth hitting a less lofted club, held down the grip and played beneath the ever-present wind. Do not let the spectacular víew of Cabo Roca break your concentration, and - if you hit the green - study your putt well; the breaks are tricky.
10
The drive parallel to the Atlantic Ocean should be bit with a draw, away from the out-of-bounds on the right. The second shot from the left of the fairway is to an elevated green, so add one club to your choice and allow for the wind. Long is preferable to short, except when the flag is on the right front corner of the green, when short is better.
11
A real 'risk and reward' tee shot. The long hitter will consider the possibility of driving the green, if the wínd ís behind. Otherwise a long iron or fairway wood to the left centre of the fairway will leave a testing pitch to a very severe green, with extreme slopes. A low pitch on to the front, releasing to the pin position, is a sensible option. This can be a birdie hole, do not let your chance slip!
12
A very long par 3. A low long iron or fairway wood, which can be faded into the green will give the best results. The green needs careful study to avoid a 3 putt. lf you are out of position, play for a bogey as the best option; ambition will lead to an higher score!
13
An uphill par 5, where the long hitter will fancy getting up in two when there is no wind or a following wínd. A drive to the right centre gives the best line in, avoiding the need to carry the bunker on the left front of the green, with the approach shot. Played as a three shot hole, the right is still the best line in. Allow for the change of height between the fairway and green, worth at least one club more.
14
One of the worlds great par 3 boles. lf the wind is against, a low drawn one iron works well. The green is ideally shaped for running a ball down the green contours. Long is better than short, even if you end up chipping back fram thé bank behind the 10th green. The greeen will test your putting skills and birdies will be rare.
15
Whichever way the wind blows, it will help on one hole and hinder on the other. The fade shot works best here and the shot to the upper tier of the green is best run in. The banks can help the ball on to the green so be bold and play up to the fiag.
16
The elevated tee, with a superb view of the see, gives a chance to let the ball fly. The right side is the best line for the first and second shots. The second shot, landing centre right of the fairway, can leave a third with no bunker to carry. A little out of position and the large bunkers will be a threat. Carry them and putt back up the green.
17
The first of two great finishing par 4's. The drive to the right centre of the fairway with a touch of draw, will set up a mid or long iron gently downhill to the green. The hollow to the right and bunker to the left will nearly allways cause a dropped shot, so short is not a bad option.
18
The finale and what a great hole! Again a draw, around the central island of one strategic pine, is the best shot. The green is raised in a dune and will play at least one club more than you think. lf you hit the green, the severe slope from back right to front left will give you a lot to think about. Many games will turn completely around on this outstanding finishing hole.
Information:
Founded
2001
Architect
Arthur Hills
Proprietor
Quinta da Marinha Sociedade de Empreendimentos Desportivos, S. A.
Director
Frederico Champalimaud
Professional
Philip A'Court Luís Archer Cameira
Green Keeper
Miguel Champalimaud
Main events on this course
Euro Pro Tour 2002 / 2003 Estoril Challenge Open Portugal Telelcom 2004 Estoril Seniors Tour Championship 2003, 2004 and 2006 Portuguese Open 2005 Estoril Ladies Open 2006
Map:
Oitavos Dunes - Quinta da Marinha, Casa da Quinta, 25 2750-004 Cascais , Portugal
Directions:
GPS
38º42'29.20"N 9º27'57.58"W
From Lisbon take the A5 motorway until the very end of the road and then follow the traffic into Birre and to Torre. Then follow the signs to Quinta da Marinha and the actual course. From Cascais take the coastal road west to Guincho. After leaving Cascais you will find Quinta da Marinha on the right hand side and the directional sign for the course.
