Carved across the resort's fertile valley floor, the O'Connor Jnr Course is a very different ask to Nick Faldo's hillier layout over the way at Amendoeira. Christy O'Connor Jnr knew this part of the Algarve inside out and you can see it in the routing, it leans into the natural land, with orange groves framing several holes and giving the course its real Algarve character.
Where Faldo's climbs and drops, O'Connor's tends to stay down in the valley. The interest comes from sensible hazards rather than big elevation shifts, with water and well-placed bunkers asking you to pick a line and commit. Off the tee it's welcoming enough for most golfers to enjoy, but it doesn't let you switch off either, especially into the greens where anything slightly loose can leave a tricky up-and-down.
For groups, it's the ideal counterpoint to Faldo: play one course that tests your legs and one that tests your patience. Better players will still find plenty of risk-and-reward moments, while mid to higher handicappers should feel like they've had a fair crack at it.
The O'Connor Jnr sits within the Amendoeira Resort in the heart of the Algarve, so it's an easy one to pair with the Faldo Course or bolt onto a wider Algarve golf break. Play it on your next Golf Holiday to the Algarve.
Who is this for?
Golfers who want a flatter, more relaxed walk and a scenic resort round that still has a bit of bite.
Who is it best for?
Mixed-ability groups building a multi-course Algarve trip and anyone who likes strategy and positioning more than sheer length.
