Oceanico O Conner Golf

Perfectly complementing the Faldo Course, whilst taking advantage of the rich valley soil in contrast to the arid hillside, Christy O’Connor Jnr's course at Amendoeira offers no less of a challenge.

Large areas of water demand accurate play and creative shot making, and these lakes and streams are to be maintained as a wildlife sanctuary.

He explained: 'I wanted one hole where it was just oranges. The whole of this part of the Algarve is blessed with thousands of acres of orange groves and I wanted to bring some inside the course as well.

“I have managed to create such a hole, the fifth, which has orange groves left and right and should be a real beauty to play. There is also a huge orange grove off to the left on the fourth hole.”

Christy smiled: “The course also has my version of the Amen Corner, starting at the seventh. We have a lake which runs from the 9th, through the 8th and into the 7th, so it is a kind of a chain reaction and the 7th will be the first of it.

'The 9th is a real, real key hole of the golf course, the lake running not only to the right off the tee, but also to the left of the second shot. It is almost a two–part golf hole.”

Christy says the 12th hole is steeped in modern history.

“This hole is guarded by the same lake that runs along the 8th hole, sitting on the lake with the water this time on the right, just to give a bit of variety,” he explained.

“It is very, very playable and steeped in history because the main buildings for the greenkeepers will be here and they were the home of a famous equestrian family who won, I think, two Olympic gold medals for showjumping.

'I just imagine myself driving down there with the buildings on the left, knowing the history, and going onto a really nice green with the river sitting at the back of it.”

But Christy plans that the history surrounding the following hole, the 13th, will reflect back over the centuries, to the time of Moorish rule in this part of Europe, which ended in 1250.

“The 13th will again have those famous buildings on the left but I am going to try and incorporate Moorish–type walls into the green, building something that reflects the Moorish heritage of what the Arabs once called Al–Garbe, and which became the Algarve.”

Christy’s 18th hole brings the course to a fantastic finish, a gentle climb with the river running along the right hand side.

“This hole is a humdinger,” he smiled. “And once you get up here and look down on the golf course, you will feel you have been blessed.”

Course Facilities: Magnificent Clubhouse, Pro–Shop with extensive range of products, Greenside bar & café, Spike bar and restaurant, Banqueting room, Luxurious changing rooms, Putting Green and Driving Range. Amendoeira Golf Resort Academy & Callaway Fitting Suite offers a wide variety of instructional programmes to meet the needs of all golfers

RULES AND ETIQUETTE OF THE GOLF COURSES

RULES

1. Every player must have his or her own bag of clubs.

2. Single players are allowed on the golf courses during less busy periods, subject to starter’s

decision.

3. Club bags and trolleys are not allowed on the greens.

4. Buggies are not allowed on the tees, greens and avant-greens.

5. Only two players and two club bags are allowed per buggy.

6. Dogs are not allowed in the Clubhouse or on the grounds of the golf course.

7. Softspikes are mandatory at all courses.

8. Children under 12 are only allowed on the golf course when specifically authorized by the golf

course manager.

9. Practice is only allowed within the practice areas.

10. Putting areas cannot be used for pitching.

11. Handicap Certificate required. Recommended handicaps: 28 for Men and 36 for Ladies at

Oceânico Millenniun, Oceânico Pinhal and Oceânico Laguna courses; 24 for Men and 36 for Ladies

at Oceânico Victoria, Oceânico Old Course, Oceânico Faldo and Oceânico O'Connor Jnr. courses.

ETIQUETTE

1. Bathing attire, jeans, T-shirts, sleeveless tops and training shoes are not allowed in the Club

house, on the practice areas or the golf course itself. Shirts must be worn at all times.

2. Dress code must include trousers or tailor shorts, polo shirts, golf shoes and socks.

3. Single players should give way to groups.

4. Any group with a free hole ahead should give way to the next group.

5. Players looking for a lost ball should give way to the next group if the ball is not found quickly.

6. During busy periods, the players should mark the ball on Par 3 greens so that the next group can

tee off.

7. When finished on a hole the players should leave the green immediately.

8. In the interest of all, the game should go on without delay. So please:

- Prepare your ball, tee and tee club in advance

- Do not leave your trolley too far from the green or in the wrong direction for

the following tee.

- Do not mark your scorecard on the green.

- Do not make more strokes than necessary when playing Stableford.

9. Before leaving a bunker please make sure you leave it as smooth as you found it.

10. Please repair the divots on the fairways.

11. Please repair the pitch and spikes marks on the greens.

12. Greens, tee’s and fairways should not be damaged by clubs tests.

13. Please follow the instructions for buggies usage.

14. Buggies and Trolleys are not allowed on greens and surrounds.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Do not leave money, valuables or golf equipment in the locker rooms or your car.

2. The golf course management declines any responsibility for loss of and/or damage to valuables,

personal effects or golf equipment on the golf course or clubhouse.