San Lorenzo is a world-class golf course, which is set alongside the Atlantic on sandy undulating terrain with fairways bordered by umbrella pines and the marshland bird sanctuary of the Ria Formosa.
It’s a stunning location and US architect Joe Lee must have rubbed his hands together with glee when he first clapped eyes on the site. Thankfully he has done a great job and he’s created a wonderful resort course… a shining light amongst the mediocrity of many golf courses in the Algarve.
The golf club at San Lorenzo first opened for play in 1988 and since then it has been consistently ranked alongside the best courses in the world. It’s built on much better terrain and on a much grander scale than its counterparts at Vale do Lobo, so it’s perfectly entitled to the title of the best golf course on Portugal’s Algarve.
Exciting golf and stunning views open up at the par three 5th where the backdrop is the beach and the sea beyond. The excitement continues at the next two holes which take you past the threatening waters of the Ria Formosa. The finish is also particularly strong and entertaining with the opposite side of the Ria Formosa coming into play on the 17th and 18th. The 18th is a wicked 400-yard plus par four with water all the way up the left and a semi-island green. It’s a classic risk and reward finish, which brings the truly magnificent San Lorenzo to a close.