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San Lorenzo Golf Club, the Dona Filipa Hotel's jewel in the crownThe San Lorenzo golf club, opened in 1998, is located at the edge of the the Algarve’s Quinta do Lago estate and shares the area with the two courses at Quinta do Lago (north and south) and the Pinheiros Altos Golf course. 
The San Lorenzo golf club is owned by Le Meridien Dona Filipa Hotel, which is located some ten minutes drive to the west on the Vale do Lobo resort. Really the course is for the use of the hotel guests rather than the general public, this being demonstrated by a public green fee being €150 (rather than €65 for residents) and the inability of anyone but guests to book at tee-time more than 24 hours in advance.
To find out more about Le Meridien Dona Filipa hotel, click here Course DescriptionThe San Lorenzo golf course enjoys a reputation of being a superbly designed course, which is kept in great condition. Recent reports of this bear this out, although there have been some complaints, over the last couple of years, about the quality of the greens, which they have now hopefully resolved.It is quite a long course at 6,238m with a par of 72. The course itself, runs through umbrella pinewoods, with plenty of water hazards to catch errant shots. It opens out in places to give stunning views of the ocean and the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, with some of the fairways running along the side of these lagoons and marshes. If you have the energy, then you should definitely walk this course rather than hiring a buggy, so you can best enjoy the views and the wildlife. The most famous hole is the finishing 18th, a difficult par 4 with the approach shot to a semi-island green.It is best suited to lower handicap golfers, who will get the most out of it, but is definitely suitable for golfers of all standards. 
Although it’s not the busiest course in the Algarve, perhaps because of the price and booking restrictions, there are always complaints of slow play. This is maybe because the handicap restrictions in place are not always enforced for hotel guests.It is a course worth playing, especially if you get a cheap rate by staying in the hotel. Otherwise at €150 a round, I think a little overpriced, when there are so many other great golf courses in the Algarve to choose from. Directions to San Lorenzo Golf ClubFrom Faro take the N125 west, heading for Albufeira. Take the turning for Almancil, then follow the signs into Quinta do Lago. The San Lorenzo golf club is signposted from here.San Lorenzo Golf Club Green feesThe standard public green fees for 2007 are €150.00 for 18 holes and tee-time bookings can only be made a maximum of 24 hours in advance.For guests at the Hotel Dona Filipa, this is reduced to €65.00. San Lorenzo Golf Club FacilitiesDriving Range, Putting Green, Chipping Green, Golf Academy, Pro-Shop, Restaurant & Bar.San Lorenzo Golf Club contact informationAddress: Quinta do Lago - 8135 AlmancilContact Tel: 289 396 522 Fax: 289 396 908 Return from San Lorenzo Golf Club page to Algarve Golf Holidays page
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So, if you want more than an ‘ad-hoc’ round at San Lorenzo, then best to stay in the hotel. Depending on what time of year you go, they do deals which include a number of free rounds at the golf course, and will even provide a regular, free, shuttle bus service to and from the course.
