MR. BUZZY ON TOUR
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Portugal.
Quality Service and Quality Golf go hand in hand in the Algarve.
Who ever has had the opportunity to play on the top country clubs in the USA will find a lot of that service on Monte Rei with the only difference being that Monte Rei is open en welcoming to the public. Yes, at first glance, the green fee is steep but when you drive away from Monte Rei and reflect on your time there, you will find that it really is very good value for money.
From the word go, you get introduced to a service level unmatched in Europe. What is really nice is that it all flows, gently, not rushed, as this is a day out and you’re meant to enjoy it. You get taken by the hand and nothing is too much … and when you end up on the first tee, what awaits you is nothing short of spectacular.
Having a Jack Nicklaus Signature course means that, arguably the greatest golfer of all times, had a personal hand in the designs of the holes and you can still see his hand drawings dotted around the clubhouse. You have to be on form to play this course with manicured tees and fairways, water-hazards, deep bunkers and fast greens but … this is a fair course. Play well, score well, play bad, still enjoy it.
Each 9 has some spectacular holes on it … quite a challenging opening couple of holes with a sharp dogleg Par 4 first, a challenging drive over water and generally into a bit of wind on the Par 5 second and a tricky approach to a peninsula green on the Par 4 third. The course eases off a bit with some good scoring opportunities. A similar start to the back 9 with Amen Corner coming on holes 13, 14 and 15. Every hole is different and more or less plays in its own amphitheatre which gives you the impression you are on your own. Mind you, with tee times spaced out generously, you will be hard pressed to be rushed.
Spectacular views over the countryside all the way to the Spanish borders to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the South framed by deep blue skies and enhanced by the hot flowery and summery smells of the Algarve. The food in the clubhouse and the fine dining Vista’s Restaurant is by the hand of Rui Silvestre, the youngest Portuguese chef to have been awarded a Michelin star.
Monte Rei is a ‘resort’ and provides golfers with more than ‘just’ golf. You can stay on site in linked villas built around the leisure centre and outside swimming pool. there are private villas for rent and soon, there will be apartments available overlooking the 18th hole. You don’t have to leave the resort but if you do, Tavira is a lovely, relatively unspoilt medieval town with cosy bars and some nice restaurants.
Monte Rei GCC is my favourite golf experience in Spain and Portugal. I’ve played plenty and recently also Valderrama, which is spectacular, but Monte Rei ticks all my boxes. Always looking forward to go back.
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club
Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve, Portugal - Tel: +351.281 950 950 - info@monterei.com
North Course (Par 72 - 6,567 Mtrs)
South Course (opening 2020)
Both Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses.
Accomodation: Linked & Private villas and Apartments (opening 2019)