Located near Ria Formosa Nature Reserve – a nationally protected area known for its outstanding splendor, at just 15 minutesfrom Faro International Airport and 5 minutes from extensive unspoilt beaches, Pinheiros Altos Golf Course is unquestionably theideal location to play golf in Portugal. Holding a prime position in Quinta do Lago, and the most prestigious location in the ‘GoldenTriangle’ (Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura), this course was designed with one simple aim in mind: to create the perfect environment for those with a love of the Algarve and a passion for golf. Flanked by lush gardens and luxurious colonial style villas,Pinheiros Altos borders the 14,800 hectare Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, an international haven for rare and endangered nesting and migrating birds. Championship Algarve Golfing Pinheiros Altos features a 27 hole champion- ship golf course, a spectacular clubhouse, bar, restaurant and a luxurious members lounge. The state-of-the-art Pinheiros Altos Golf Acad- emy and Pro Shop offers to golf lovers a range of the most prestigious brands.The course boasts three 9-hole groupings, each a par 36, with numerous ways of play- ing 18 sublime holes, depending on your level of experience.The original 18 holes were designed by therespected American architect Ronald Fream and the additional 9 holes created by the highly regarded Portuguese golf architect, Jorge Santana da Silva, opened in 2007. The 27 hole Championship Pinheiros Altos Golf is presented in three contrasting nine hole formats. Each nine holes is a PAR 36 and named: – The Pines (Pinheiros) – The Corks (Sobreiros) – The Olives (Oliveiras) All nine holes have their starting and finish- ing points in close proximity to the beautiful Pinheiros Altos Clubhouse. Each hole has four starting tees: the white and yellow tees represent the championship and medal tees respectively for the men, the red and blue tees for the ladies. The firm, fast and testing greens, sown with Pentcross Bent and combined with the Ber- muda fairway grass, provide resilient and excellent surfaces on which to play golf and make Pinheiros Altos a must play course when visiting the Algarve.