Vilamoura: European golf destination

The Millennium Golf Course in Vilamoura is a conventional PAR 72 course. The UK golf Architects Hawtree & Sons were contracted to plan the modification of the original back nine, formerly part of the 27-hole Laguna Course. This design work has culminated in the creation of the exciting 18-hole Millennium Vilamoura Golf Course, which opened in 2000. The objective was to create one of the best golfing holidays in the Algarve, Portugal.

The beauty of Millennium

The refurbishments included the complete rebuilding of the tees, greens and bunkers. Changes were made to the layout of the old nine holes, but several new design features were incorporated with a view to simplifying the strategy of the Millennium Golf Course Vilamoura, in order to make it more golfer-friendly.

In a beautiful setting within the pinewoods and natural countryside, the Dom Pedro Millennium Vilamoura Golf Course has a layout that offers variety and interest for the golfer.

Going into details

The Dom Pedro Vilamoura Millennium Golf Course is particularly open, although some holes (from the 3rd - see our head picture - to the 7th) wind between pine trees and are similar to the neighbouring fairways of the Old Course Vilamoura and Pinhal Golf in the Algarve. In this more wooded area, the fairways are narrower and require greater accuracy - while the rest of the golf course has a clear landscape enriched by lakes at the 4th, 17th and 18th holes.

This applies especially to holes 8 and 9, the only ones on this loop with water hazards. Also, many of the bunkers have been re-shaped and the smaller greens expanded. This renovated North course has been joined together with the new 9-hole loop to offer a layout of different character, style and playing quality to the remaining Laguna golf Course.