Nicklaus in the Algarve/Monte Rei

[Aidan Bradley]

Recently I had the privilege of photographing a new Jack Nicklaus course in the eastern corner of the Algarve in Spain. Located just outside Vila Nova de Cacela, 45 mins from Farro and within 12km's of the Spanish border, the course is due to open some time next year. Another 18 has been designed and construction will commence as soon as the former opens.

This course (along with the second) is destined to be one of the premier facilitiies in the region. While it was a joy to photograph, I can't wait to return next year to play the course. It's grand and robust with lots of variety and an abundance of wonderful bunkers. As I stood on the Tee boxes I felt like the course was whispering to me "OK, lets see what you got, give it your best shot". An interesting and unique feeling I had not experienced before.

Aidan.

PS. The last image is the new villa I just purchased.............

[Aidan Bradley]

Please forgive my typo..The Algarve is in Portugal.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Aiden, I must say, you take spectacular pictures.  They are not only good to look at, they show how a hole may play.  I'm not sure the course is one I would play when I go back to the Algarve, but it looks interesting.  It certainly is, like all Nicklaus courses, overly manicured

[john_stiles]

The artwork looks okay.

Are those cumulus humilis ?

[Aidan Bradley]

Tommy,

If you play the course, which I encourage you to do so, and you are unhappy with the experience, the first pint is on me when we next meet.
Cheers.

Aidan.

[Andrew Mitchell]

Found this in the back pages.

I'm off to the Algarve in a couple of weeks and we have a game booked at Monte Rei.  I hope it plays as good as it looks in Aidan's photographs.  Aidan, did you get back there for a game?  Was it as good as you expected?

Anyone else played it?

[Jim Nugent]

Aidan, your villa is on the smallish side.  Are you planning to tear it down, and build something more impressive in its place? 

[Tony Ristola]

If you didn't know, who would you have bet cash the architect was?

.

[Jack_Marr]

I'd love to see a book of your golf course photography, Aidan.

[Andrew Mitchell]

I'd love to see a book of your golf course photography, Aidan.

Have you checked out Aidan's website?

[Emil Weber]

20 milion euro were reputedly spent on the course. Looks good though...
The Bunkers seem to be quite different to Nicklaus' normal style.

[Randy Thompson]

Parties at Aldan's villa and at twelve midnight after a minimum of three bottles of good spanish wine there will be a closest to the pin contest from his back yard!!

[Ally Mcintosh]

Found this in the back pages.

I'm off to the Algarve in a couple of weeks and we have a game booked at Monte Rei.  I hope it plays as good as it looks in Aidan's photographs.  Aidan, did you get back there for a game?  Was it as good as you expected?

Anyone else played it?

Andrew,

Just back from visiting the Algarve... Had an appointment at Monte Rei but didn't have time unfortunately.

For those who need a tip, the 9 hole Par-32 course at Pine Cliffs is an absolute must see... Built on genuine sandy soil, it had a feeling of Cypress Point (or what I imagine Cypress Point is) about it to me... (Bear in mind I wasn't expecting much so this was a welcome surprise... It's still holiday golf)

The Old Course at Vilamoura is pretty good as well... Also visited / played San Lorenzo, the two new courses at Amendoeira (Faldo / O'Connor) and the site at Espiche...

[Jack_Marr]

I'd love to see a book of your golf course photography, Aidan.

Have you checked out Aidan's website?

Hi Andrew

Yes, and it's great. I often look at it.

I actually introduced Aidan to this website! It was my only meaningful contribution to this group...

[Tony Ristola]

20 milion euro were reputedly spent on the course. Looks good though...
The Bunkers seem to be quite different to Nicklaus' normal style.

Had I not been told I would have guessed it was a RTJ II or JM Poellet.
It looks like their bunker work, RTJ II's pond work, and round tees.

Never would have guessed it was a Nicklaus ____________ Design.

I'd only seen one Nicklaus bunker look anything like these, and that was at Colleton River.

.

[Scott Warren]

Found this in the back pages.

I'm off to the Algarve in a couple of weeks and we have a game booked at Monte Rei.  I hope it plays as good as it looks in Aidan's photographs.  Aidan, did you get back there for a game?  Was it as good as you expected?

Anyone else played it?

What did you think, Andrew? I'm heading to The Algarve for a long weekend in September and am trying to decide which two courses I'll be playing.

[Bill_McBride]

Those mirror image par 3s on the lake are an unusual touch.  Not particularly natural looking but cool anyway.

Those bunkers, style and quantity and size, shout out, "Big budget maintenance," don't they?

[Lester George]

Aidan,

How much, if any,  manipulation have these photos had?

Lester

[Scott Warren]

Just saw on the Monte Rei website that a round of golf is 190 Euros.

So it's half as good again as The Old Course, then?

[Aidan Bradley]

Lester,

What do you mean by "manipulation". Prior to arrival, they had torrential rains for about a week. A lot of damage was done to the bunkers. We had a fair amount of "surgery" in that area. Otherwise, just the normal "clean up".

Aidan.

[Cristian]

mmmmm, the colour of these bunkers remind me of a links in Ireland......

[Aidan Bradley]

Not fair Christian, but I agree that these would be considered "bright" or Silica sand bunkers.

[Andrew Mitchell]

Found this in the back pages.

I'm off to the Algarve in a couple of weeks and we have a game booked at Monte Rei.  I hope it plays as good as it looks in Aidan's photographs.  Aidan, did you get back there for a game?  Was it as good as you expected?

Anyone else played it?

What did you think, Andrew? I'm heading to The Algarve for a long weekend in September and am trying to decide which two courses I'll be playing.

Monte Rei was thoroughly enjoyable but also a very tough test.  Plenty of bunkers and lots of shots over or close to water.  I took lots of pictures and will try and post these in the next few days. I've been too busy since we got back.

Which courses are you thinking of playing Scott? Whether it is worth €190 is a debatable point.  We went there due to a deal we had with our villa owner, which effectively meant we were tied to playing at Monte Rei.  If we had had a choice of which courses to play we wouldn't have chosen Monte Rei purely due to the size of the green fee.  Clearly it's not twice as good as The Old Course but that's not a relevant comparison.  We paid €88 to play Quinta do Lago South and I would think it's a similar price for Vilamoura Old.  Those two courses, and San Lorenzo (which can be difficult to get on), are probably the ones you need to be making the comparison with.

[Scott Warren]

We're looking at staying near Alfa Mar, which has Pine Cliffs and the Oceanico courses (Old, Milennium, Victoria and Pinhal?) nearby.

Pine Cliffs does look lovely, and at e55 or so for 18 holes, is pretty good value.

[Lester George]

Aidan,

I guess I am asking for your defintion of "surgery" and "clean-up".

Lester