The Old course was Frank Penninks’s first project in Portugal, inaugurated in 1969. It is one of the oldest Portuguese golf courses.

There are numerous trees scattered throughout the course, which require accurate shots. The greens are wide and slightly undulated, and have sand hazards. This 18-hole par 73 course has only one lake and the par 3 4th hole, pine trees being the main obstacle.

The Old Course is internationally known for being located in a pine forest. In order to difficult the game, the green has a slight inclination. The purpose of the fairways surrounded by pine trees is to penalize missed shots and outline doglegs. The most difficult holes are par 3’s, as they are varied and require complete control of the stroke and the right choice of irons.

Hole number 4 was ranked as one of the top ten holes in the world by the “Golf World” magazine, in a special edition published in October 2006.