Seve Ballesteros Debuts New Golf Course in Portugal

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(ALGARVE, Portugal) - Golf great Severiano Ballesteros is putting his mark on a new golf course near Portugal's popular Algarve region.

The 18-hole resort course is part of the Quinta do Vale residential resort development, and represents Ballesteros' first golf course design effort in mainland Portgual, a Ballesteros spokesperson announced Nov. 16.

"In many ways Quinta do Vale is a typical Ballesteros work," says Santiago Verastegui, Ballesteros' technical architect for 14 years. "Opting for the desirable 6-6-6 layout (six par-3s, six par-4s and six par-5s), the course sits nicely in the landscape and is extremely playable for both low and high handicappers.  

"Suitable for competition or friendly play, golfers will certainly use all of their clubs and judgment to negotiate the holes, most of which involve water with two tricky island greens.  And as expected from every Ballesteros creation, he's left his mark with an S-shaped bunker etched into the ground - in Quinta do Vale's case alongside the 10th (hole) - and clearly visible from the clubhouse terrace."

In response to a question about golf's impact on the environment, Verastegui said: "A well-designed golf course is actually beneficial to the environment.  We diligently replant any trees in the path of remodeling and then add plenty more. Of the 9,000 fig, olive, pine, almond and carob trees on display 3,000 were new additions. The aim when finished is to appear as if man has not touched the land.  At Quinta do Vale we have arguably achieved that."

Quinta do Vale, located next to the River Guadiana and Spain's Costa de la Luz, is a low density development targeting the upscale market rather than the mass market, according to Costa de la Luz-based Titan Properties, the Spanish firm marketing the resort. The property offers three real estate options: 66 plots for large family villas, 57 detached homes in the five-star Riverside tourist village and a 125-room five-star spa hotel.

No two villas amongst the 66 will be alike, Titan Properties reports, with both Colonial and Mediterranean styles being offered by either Quinta do Vale-commissioned architects or private architects operating within aesthetic guidelines. The villa homes are set on close to half-acre sites and feature three en-suite bedrooms, blank-canvas basement areas for perhaps a gymnasium or home cinema, two-car garages, landscaped gardens and pool. Prices start from $1.55 million and various furnishing or golf membership offers are available for negotiation.

Homes at the Riverside Village are available freehold or to rent, all under the care of a soon-to-be-announced hotel brand.  Hugging the banks of the Guadiana these ultra contemporary 2-bedroom properties share a reception, convenience store, restaurant and bar, two tennis courts, lawn bowls and two communal swimming pools (one of which is indoors and heated; higher priced units have their own pool). Featuring a combination of golf, lake and river views this resort-within-a-resort is also closest to the private boarding pier giving access from both the River Guadiana and the Atlantic and putting Quinta do Vale within cruising distance of the rest of the Algarve. Prices start from $838,500 and delivery of these Riverside Village units is slated for the end of 2010.

Future plans call for a marina with 100 berths for boats up to 26 feet. Meanwhile, the Spa hotel is expected to share the same well-known operator as the Village, while a clubhouse with pro-shop, several dining options and panoramic views completes Quinta do Vale's luxurious setting.