Vilamoura Old Course was designed by Frank Pinnink and originally opened in 1969. It hosted the Portuguese Open in 1979 and has been redesigned to match the best European golf courses. It is from the English school of course design and laid out in a way that takes advantage of its natural surroundings.
Although a par 73, straight shots are needed on this course as the trees play a decisive role, and any careless shots will be punished! The ninth is an example of this situation. The back nine has three interesting par 5's with the sixteenth providing a 522 metre challenge for length and straight hitting. The par 3's are challenging but there is the chance for the straight driver of a 'hole in one' of the fourth hole.