Palmer Design has opened its first course in Portugal, The Victoria Clube de Golfe in Vilamoura. At 7,176 yards, the course is the longest in Portugal and will host the 2005 World Golf Championships – Algarve World Cup.

The course has been designed to capitalise on the Algarve's native topography. "In our design of The Victoria Clube, we took our cue from the area's natural environment and created something that looks as if it has always been there," says Vicki Martz, senior golf course architect and director of environmental services at Palmer Course Design.

Water comes in to play on many holes, particularly on the back nine. The twelfth has a large island fairway the fourteenth gives players the option of driving over a large lake to avoid a water carry approach to the green.

This article first appeared in issue 1 of Golf Course Architecture, published in July 2005.