· welcome to the Mungos Golf Society!

Pestana Gramacho golf course, Algarve, PortugalMungo's Golf Society was formed in 1994 by 6 people who decided they wanted to form a group of golfers who enjoyed playing the game without the politics and bureaucracy that most Golf Clubs seem to harbour.

As the group grew naturally our understanding and competency of the game improved and our demands of courses grew. At the same time we increased the social side of the group often meeting regularly for meals and arranging trips to courses outside the Algarve.

The society was named originally after a bar in Carvoeiro called Mungo's which in turn was named after their cat (T.S. Elliot, not the singer) where we met at regular intervals and welcomed guest visitors to the area who were looking for some like minded people to play golf with.

Within a few years the group grew and quickly reaching a membership of about 50 players encompassing players from all over Europe and as far as the United States of America.

After several successful years of playing our weekly competitions on the Morgado and Alamos courses, we have now decided it is time for a change and in 2010 we are to play two weekly competitions on Saturdays and Wednesdays on the 5 Pestana courses of Pinta, Gramacho, Silves, Alto and Vila Sol where we have negotiated some excellent green fees for our guests.

Pestana Alto golf course, Algarve, PortugalPestana Alto
Situated near the picturesque village of Alvor, it reflects Sir Henry Cotton's philosophy that a golf course should constitute a good test not only for low handicap players, but also provide an agreeable game for less blessed players. After his death, the project was continued by Peter Dobereiner. The course runs through two valleys with winding fairways and undulating greens. The first nine enjoys excellent views over Lagos bay, the last nine unfold along gentle slopes and include what is said to be one of the longest holes in Europe : the 604m 16th, a par 5. Any player making a birdie here will receive a certificate and their name will be inscribed on the club's roll of honour.

Pestana Gramacho golf course, Algarve, PortugalPestana Gramacho
Gramacho was converted from its original double nine layout to a full 18 hole course several years ago. The natural vegetation blends perfectly with a number of lakes and gently sloping fairways which wind through almond groves and olive and fig trees. Designed by the North American Ronald Fream, and adjacent to the Vale da Pinta course (both part of Carvoeiro Golfe, close to the fishing village of Carvoeiro), it unfurls through rolling countryside, the vegetation blending perfectly with the man-made lakes and bunkers.

Pestana Vale de Pinta golf course, Algarve, PortugalPestana Vale de Pinta
Situated near Carvoeiro in an old olive grove, Pestana Vale de Pinta is a championship course adaptable to all playing levels. Designed by Ronald Fream who, true to North American golfing concepts, created wide, deep greens protected by 59 similarly sized bunkers. Pestana Vale de Pinta has the pedigree of hosting five consecutive PGA Seniors Tour events and boasts a stylish new Clubhouse in which to relax after your game.

Pestana Silves golf course, Algarve, PortugalPestana Silves
Situated near to the old town of Silves, this course is the latest to be built by Pestana. The course has a good selection of holes with some of the par 3's very memorable and a good test of target golf. The course offers natural beauty and elegant design and all year round good condition. Most of the holes offer spectacular views and overlooking palm and olive groves. The course difficulty is flexible, with the memorable par 5 13th with it's elevated tee box, and having to decide after a good tee shot whether to 'go for it' over the lake, or skirt round the side with a mid iron.

Pestana Vila Sol golf course, Algarve, PortugalPestana Vila Sol
Set in the heart of one of the Algarves' most developed resort areas, Vilamoura, Vila Sol bas become a tour de force of Portuguese golf with the hosting of two Portuguese Open Championships. Although opened in July 1991, the course already shows a high degree of maturity. The course winds through an immense pine forest - dotted also with fig, oak and almond trees - and is the work of Englishman Donald Steel. The result is a test of the golfers' strategic skills. The narrow fairways demand accurate driving, various lake and bunker hazards are always in play, and the greens are fast. To card a good round hinges on conquering the first four holes, considered the hardest on the course.