round 1 - salgados
plenty of water
nursing four hangovers the first tee beckoned. al smashed his drive over the group infront before chipping on and converting for birdie leaving the opposition quaking in their footjoys…
the course had few trees but a lot of water. there was a tent instead of a clubhouse but significant development has happened since and the course has matured.
it was a close match which neil and nic just won. one tip for the future, wear sunscreen…
match score: neil & nic 1-0 phil & al
round 2 - millennium
pine tree lined fairways
this hawtree designed course opened in 2000 and is part of the dom pedro group. it has some open holes, some tree lined holes and some with water. parts are similar to the old course and parts are like laguna, with which it shares a clubhouse.
the match was close until phil stepped up with 3 pars in a row from the 13th to seal victory.
match score: neil & nic 1-1 phil & al
round 3 - pinhal
umbrella and atlantic pines
pinhal is one of the oldest courses in vilamoura, designed by frank pennink and opened in 1976. the course is mainly rolling parkland terrain with fairways lined by pine trees.
neil and nic won the match but on the 18th tee nic piped up with “let’s play this hole for the match”. al found the edge of the green in regulation followed by a safe 2 putt to take the trophy and the legend of the KOP began.
match score: neil & nic 2-1 phil & al