The course that could be singled out for causing the modern attraction of golfing on the Algarve. Drawn up by the late Sir Henry Cotton as an 18 hole par 73, the championship design is widely regarded as the most testing for golfers.

And watch out for hole number 13! Chosen as one of the worlds 500 most troublesome holes.

Some minor alterations have been made to the original set out, but it has largely remained the same in its 45 year history.

More experienced golfers may enjoy… knowing, that this 6273 metre (approx. 6860 yards) challenge has hosted the “Portugal Open” 9 times. From themselves:

A pioneer amongst golf resorts in the Algarve, Le Méridien Penina Golf & Resort is the only resort in Portugal to have three golf courses within its 360 acres (145 hectares) grounds where guests can experience and explore: The Sir Henry Cotton Championship 18 hole course, and two 9 hole – The Academy Course and the Resort Course. The Penina (now known as the Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course) was the first resort golf course to be built in Portugal and therefore is unquestionably where golf started in this southern corner of the Iberian Peninsula. Three times British Open champion, the late Sir Henry Cotton was encouraged to visit and lay out a course over a former rice field. On an unpromising wet, treeless site, Cotton grasped the opportunity to renew the British connection with golf in the country that had been established in the 19th century. In the process he created his masterpiece, a fitting epitaph to one of Britain’s most successful professional players and a course which has already hosted ten Portuguese Opens; other prestigious tournaments (namely, The Daily Telegraph Seniors’ Match play event (2000/1), the National Finals of the Audi Corp); as well as major International and Charity competitions (such as the Sir Henry Cotton Team Trophy and Sir Henry Cooper & Mike Reid Charity Classic).

And only a 30 minute drive from Faro Airport, Portimão is the ideal place to visit.