Pestana Golf Membership

widge · Post by **widge** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:33 am

It does seem a shame that there are so few tee times available at reasonable prices for regular players.Even a €2000 membership fee won't guarantee you a members tee time other than the monthly medal.

What a contrast with the UK where many members clubs are crying out for new members - discounting fees and encouraging visitors and societies with special offers.

I visited the new Faldo/O'Conner complex in November it's fantastic but empty! It must be losing cash pending the sale & occupation of its villas and apartments. At €130 a round visitors are positively discouraged. Pestana seem to use tee times to sell holiday packages for their hotels and apartments, so whilst the fee looks reasonable, in truth, most of the tee times are sold out months in advance to holidaymakers buying packages.

Finally, there are the booking agents, Golf for Greys, PAGS, Quo Vadis etc. Regrettably their influence seems to be in decline as the course owners find the direct route to the consumer via hotel packages and villa rentals more profitable ! Any good ideas welcome.

andara · Post by **andara** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:31 am

It's probably true that Golf for Greys' discounted prices are no better than on offer elsewhere. But Golf for Greys offer much more:

Regular, well run tournaments with prizes, in the Algarve, and Spain.
Subsidised trips elsewhere (Lisbon) for golf and hotel.
Discounts at many retail outlets.
Opportunities to marshall major European professional Golf events. The Portuguese Masters has been held at Vilamoura for the last two years, and again this year.

I would thoroughly recommend it; two games pf golf and you will recover your annual subscription. javascript:emoticon(':D')

EMM · Post by **EMM** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:14 pm

I have to say that we have no problems booking T times at Gramacho,( in last 5 years ) we use the Golf shop on the in road or direct with the coiurse ( just a few days notice ).
In the summer we play after 4 and again no problems.

Pinta I am told is even easier to book because of its length and difficulty and we will be going there in preference to Gramacho in future.

We have heard similar complaints from Pestana owners about booking problems and crowded courses, maybe you just have to be a bit flexible on times when you play.

Anyone who is looking for a good memebrship deal should check out Silves probably the lowest cost on the Algarve.
You do have to like breathing in the smoke from the cork factory .

suziebear · Post by **suziebear** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:47 pm

Farol wrote:Seems to me as though it would be a good idea to have a forum here dedicated to Golf - much the same as there are forums dedicated to Restaurants, Property Ownership, etc.

I'm sure there would be a suitable resident that would be willing to act as moderator.

It could provide an area for tips on getting good deals and tee times and opinions on courses etc.

It could also be used by anybody looking for a new opponent or to make up numbers.

If enough people used it then perhaps a society could develop from it.

I know just the person - WESTYGOLFPRO - I will mention it to him tomorrow - more than qualified to take on this role.

charles hewitt · Post by **charles hewitt** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:19 am

Great idea. I'm looking for a game on 14th & 15th Feb. Any takers?
Best wishes,
Chas.

widge · Post by **widge** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:25 am

I support the idea too! In addition to looking for partners/opponents for the first week of Feb, I'm trying to get tee times at Pinta or Gramacho for the second week!

Let's hope westyprogolf proves a willing volunteer!

suziebear · Post by **suziebear** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:33 pm

Morning - have just spoken to Westygolfpro, he is really interested in hosting/moderating a Golf subject thingy - he is in meeting at Pinta today and will log on tonight to register/enquire where he goes from here. Being where we are, I can only imagine how busy this subject forum will be, but also, how helpful it will be to all golfers and would be golfers and for those of you who dont know him or of him, not only he is a PGA Golf Pro, he is an NLP Master Practioner AND Hypnotherapist - three in one - bargain!

westygolfpro · Post by **westygolfpro** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:20 pm

Hi All Golfers,

I am willing to look into the moderating and organising the golf topic area of the forum and creating links between golfers etc. I have already had talks with Pestana and Oceanico and they are keen to offer me commercial rates on me organising groups of golfers.

What is the next step? Any moderators watching?

Till then Keep Smiling,

Westygolfpro.

Farol · Post by **Farol** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:13 pm

Westygolfpro I suggest you email Steen - he is the owner and webmaster for the site.

westygolfpro · Post by **westygolfpro** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:07 pm

Thanks Farol will do.