Golf

Penina. On what was once a flat, uninteresting rice paddy, Sir Henry Cotton created his most famous course. It is considered his masterpiece because of the beautiful setting he created by planting more than 100,000 trees. Cotton held court here for years, welcoming the great and good from the golf world to the lavish resort. The course has had a face-lift and remains a stern test of your skills—the par-3 13th hole has been ranked among the best in the world. Although the course gets busy, golfers on different holes seldom come into contact due to the mature trees and wide fairways. Penina Hotel & Golf Resort guests are entitled to special green fee rates. On the championship course, a handicap of 28 is required for men and 36 for women to play. Penina Hotel & Golf Resort, N125, Portimão, Faro, 8501-952. 282 420 200; www.penina.com/golf/golf-courses. €120 high season, €80 low season. Reservations essential.