The
Alto Golf course is located in an attractive area steeped in golfing
tradition. Just a few kilometres away is the area where the game
was first played in the Algarve, a long extinct, rudimentary layout
with sand and oil greens, or 'browns', dating back to the 1920`s
between Portimão and Praia da Rocha.
Alto is also less than seven kilometres from the venerable Penina,
Algarve´s first grass golf course. Like Penina, Alto was designed
by Sir Henry Cotton, British Open champion in 1934, 1937 and 1948,
who made the Algarve his home back in the sixties. The course was
opened in 1991 by Portugal`s President Mário Soares who made
the inaugural stroke with a driver which is on display in the clubhouse.
Built on ideal, undulating terrain amongst traditional vineyards
close to the coast, Alto is blessed with fine views of both the
sea and the Monchique range of hills in the hinterland. Nearby is
the fishing village of Alvor at the estuary of a river of the same
name.