PORTUGAL
Azores,
an anticyclonic break
There are two golf courses,
the 'Batalha Golf Course' and the 'Furnas
Golf Course', both run by 'Verdegolf', and were designed
in pleasant landscapes, attracting a golfing clientele from
both sides of the Atlantic.
 Furnas Golf Course.
The first of the two was set up on the slopes close to the
Furnas Volcano from which it takes its name. Mapped out by
Mackenzie Ross on the plateau that overlooks the town of Furnas,
was first a 9 hole which then became an 18 hole.
The most beautiful
holes, which form 'The Bermuda Triangle' was designed by Cameron
and Powell. These holes are the 7th, par 4 on a 412 metre
dog-leg with the water on the left of the fairway ; the 8th,
par 3 for 147 metres with a water obstacle behind the green,
and the 9th, par 4, on a right dog-leg, with water running
along the left of the fairway. Hookers should be very careful.
This course
is very technical, with its undulating fairways, its small
raised greens, its long par 4s which demand a continuous vigilance
and a great deal of concentration. But before rejoining your
ball and taking the next hit, contemplate whilst walking in
the sumptuous environment made up of pines, hydrangeas and
pampas trees.
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Batalha Golf Course.
This is found a few kilometres from Ponta Delgada on a plateau
which overlooks the sea. The 18 hole Batalha course was also
designed by the British office of Cameron-Powell, and, after
having played Furnas you will recognise the range of the two
courses and how they compliment each other.
The Batalha
Golf Course, which was opened in 1996, has wonderful views
of the ocean from the club-house. Here, more than at Furnas,
the wind, which is often adverse, can be a kill-joy and adding
a further difficulty to the length of the course of 6,120
metres. The first hole, a par 5 for 470 metres, goes down
in front of the sea giving a false impression of the course,
with two stretches of water in play.
Another golf
course full of water obstacles ?' No, not really. If you look
carefully at the course map before you leave, you only come
across the water at the 4th hole. A small golfing car is necessary
for senior citizens on this very physical course, especially
at the 6th hole, par 4 for 406 metres on an extremely long
ascent.
Even if you
are or not to taken up with your game, take advantage of the
breath-taking views towards the Atlantic, specially when leaving
the 5th hole, par 3 for 181 metres.
Batalha is
a demanding course which doesn't allow any mistakes. But no
matter what happens, and even if your game is not up to the
standards of the beautiful environment, have a drink on the
terrace of the club-house and admire the marvellous landscape.
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Furnas, #1
Furnas, #4
Furnas, #2
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