7th edition of “Tee Times Open Championship”: the best of Quinta do Lago ready to celebrate golf and friendship

Golf fans, get ready to pack your clubs and head to Portugal for the Tee Times Open Championship. Celebrating its seventh edition, the tournament promises three exciting days (19-21 January) of golf and camaraderie on some of the most challenging courses in the Algarve region. 

Participants will play in pairs and be privileged to take on the magic of golf in Portugal on three outstanding courses: Quinta do Lago North, Quinta do Lago South, and Quinta do Lago Laranjal. These courses offer not only strategic challenges but also impressive views and the guarantee of a unique experience on every hole. Portugal has become a premier golf destination, and the Tee Times Open Championship highlights this with its three incredible courses.

Tee Times Open Championship Welcome at Chez Carlos Restaurant

The tournament kicks off with a warm welcome at the famous Chez Carlos Restaurant on January 18. Participants can relax, share anticipations, and enjoy delicious Portuguese cuisine. 

Portugal has established itself as a premier golf destination with world-class golf courses. The seventh edition of the “Tee Times Open Championship” highlights the excellence of golf in the country and offers participants the opportunity to enjoy Portuguese hospitality and the scenic beauty of the Algarve.

Portugal Golf Breaks

Golf courses in Portugal are known for their innovative design and strategic challenges, and the “Tee Times Open Championship” is no exception. Participants will experience first-hand why Portugal is a world-renowned golf destination.

Thanks to Quinta do Lago, which welcomes the tournament just like last year, and the sponsors (Hilton, Penina Resort, NAU Palm Village, Quinta do Vale, Espiche, Benamor and Quinta da Tor Wines) who make this competition possible, golfers can enjoy a memorable experience in Portugal’s golf majesty. 

In short, from January 19 to 21, Algarve will be the epicentre of the seventh edition of this exciting tournament that summarizes the camaraderie and more than 30 years of work of Tee Times Golf Agency. From the welcome at Chez Carlos Restaurant to the challenges on the courses at Quinta do Lago, this event promises lots of fun and immersion in the majesty of golf in Portugal. Prepare to score your perfect shot and enjoy three unforgettable days with friends at the Tee Times Open Championship.

Portugal golf – Alamos Golf Course

Alamos Golf Course

Alamos Golf Course

Alamos Golf Course 21 July 2021

Our golf fix on 21 July was provided by Alamos Golf Course near Portimao.
The course itself was in great shape for this time of year, better than we have seen it during the hot summer months in the past.
It is apparent that some effort is being made to keep the golf course in playable condition as the fairways are green, well maintained, and proper lies result.

It has been a knock on the course in the past that this was not the case and areas of fairways were dried out and such is not the case this summer season.
Chez Carlos Golf Society played here at Alamos several weeks ago as well and the green were exceptionally quick and dangerous.
This time around, they were slower, ran true and were receptive to approach shots. A few in our group of 12 played some of their better rounds of the season. Louise Graham (39), Gordon Fleming (37) and John Harris (33) finished top 3 on the day.
John Harris also had shot of the day on our nearest the pin hole at #16.

Alamos is a great little course that even though it is short to some degree, provides challenges for all levels of players and makes for a fun day.
On this day if there was a complaint that could be considered relevant, it was that the greenside bunkers had been soaked to the point of unplayable mud in efforts to keep the greens in good nick.
They were bad enough that I would suggest the greenskeeper post GUR signs and deemed that relief from these bunkers was mandatory. Although I did not feel as affected by this as my playing partners, I empathized with their frustration and how it impacted their scoring and their day as well as being splattered with sloppy mud in several situations. The variety of holes and choices when it comes to strategy to play this golf course is always intriguing and keeps it interesting. Personally, I feel the more I play this course, the more it grows on me because it does have nuances that make you think and execute good golf shots to score well.

You can also read other posts about Golf in Portugal:
Amendoeira O’Connor Ocean Course
Trade Circuit at Old Course in Vilamoura
Seniors Golf – Portugal vs Andalusia

Portugal golf – Amendoeira O’Connor Golf Course

Amendoeira O'Connor Golf Course

Amendoeira O’Connor Golf Course

Another warm and sunny summer day in the Algarve took Chez Carlos Golf Society to Amendoeira O’Connor Golf Course on 17 July.

We had a group of 20 players all set with intentions of conquering our golf demons and holing putts from ridiculous distances, but the O’Connor Jnr Course had other plans in mind for most.
Aside from a few excellent efforts by a few of our members that deserve commendation, O’Connor defended itself well.

Fraser Graham (39), Ian McAleese (38), and Adrian Fraser Jones (36) were the only 3 that could manage to beat the course and accumulate 36 or more stableford points on the day. Nick Coulson took nearest the pin honours on hole #13.
O’Connor Jnr, as always, was in very good condition tee to green, and the greens themselves were not lightning fast as we have seen them in the past but ran true and consistent and pin placements provided a fair test of skill. As is usual with Amendoeira, the staff and the service they provide from front desk to caddy master is exemplary, efficient, and quite friendly and helpful which is greatly appreciated always by our members.
Included in the special for our group was buckets of balls for the range which has legitimate grass tees and an excellent little practice chipping green for warming up prior to hitting the course.

In my humble opinion, the O’Connor course is a fair test to all levels of talent or lack thereof. Short hitters will be pushed to their limits to get there, and long hitters will be dealt with accordingly for errant tee shots.
Around the greens requires some nifty shot making to produce scores. Measuring by attendance from our membership, it is quite apparent that O’Connor Jnr is one of our group’s favourites in the Algarve.
The course is without a doubt top notch and the service is second to none at Algarve golf courses. If I had a peeve, it is with the GPS on the buggies that restricts their pace in critical areas around the course, which is understandable and acceptable. Having the caddy master explain this to patrons as they assign buggies would be appropriate so they understand their buggy is not dying on them as they proceed to the first tee box when it activates built in slow speed restrictions.
Also, the buggies are coded not to work at all in the parking lot, which makes little sense when players go to load up their clubs from their vehicles and is an annoyance that seemed unanimous amongst our group.
Several times as I wait for our members near the caddy master station, I have witnessed patrons approach the desk upset their buggy died in the parking lot only to have them made aware of the circumstances at that time.
Saying that if this is the only complaint one can make about their Amendoeira O’Connor Jnr experience, it is quite petty.
This golf course is one of Chez Carlos Golf Society’s favourites and quality of course and golf experience for value is as good or better than most in the Algarve.

You can also read other posts about Golf in Portugal:
Trade Circuit at Old Course in Vilamoura
Seniors Golf – Portugal vs Andalusia
Vale do Lobo Ocean Course