The iconic South Course at Portugal’s Quinta do Lago has scooped two major awards this week as the layout continues to live up to its reputation as one of the world’s best.
After being named Portugal’s top course at last year’s World Golf Awards, the resort landed the same accolade at this year’s event, while adding the crown of Europe’s best to make it a double celebration.
Hosted at the exclusive Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island resort in Abu Dhabi this week, the World Golf Awards reward excellence in the golf tourism market, with Quinta do Lago’s success yet more recognition for one of Europe’s most exclusive and premier golf destinations.
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The newly renovated South Course claimed last year’s top spot in Portugal following a €7million upgrade – and success at the 2022 World Golf Awards is a fitting final flourish as Quinta do Lago’s 50th anniversary celebrations draw to a close, with the honour a reflection of the resort’s ethos of consistent evolution.
Rather than rest on its laurels during the Covid-19 pandemic, Quinta do Lago refurbished the popular South Course as part of a resort-wide overhaul, cementing its status as Europe’s premier golf and lifestyle destination.
Seeing the South Course named the best in Portugal again while adding the title of ‘Best in Europe’ will come as no surprise to those familiar with the par-72 design, which has hosted the Portuguese Open on eight occasions. The course is also a regular venue for the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship – with the latest edition of the ‘Unofficial Major of Junior Golf’ taking place in the Algarve this month. Seventeen-year-olds Dylan Shaw-Radford, from Huddersfield, and Sophia Fullbrook, from Hertfordshire, won in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively.
The renovation of the South Course, which emphasised the resort’s commitment to sustainability, encompassed every fairway, bunker, tee and green across all 18 holes. Improved irrigation and a switch to new species of grass have significantly bolstered water efficiency across the layout, drastically cutting back waste in a key area. However, the resort’s two other 18-hole championship golf courses – the North Course and Laranjal – have not been overlooked in the quest for golf’s greener future.
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Amplified biodiversity, reduced plastic usage and homegrown fruit and vegetables are among the key concepts implemented throughout all of the resort’s courses, culinary options and accommodation. Quinta do Lago’s reputation as a pioneer in sustainable golf and travel has only been reinforced by the latest awards, which prove that its green approach can offer the same standard of world-class golf and travel that guests have come to expect.
Sean Moriarty, CEO of Quinta do Lago, said: "We’re honoured to be recognised at the World Golf Awards once again. We took a lot of pride in making the South Course even better and to win this award for the second year in a row reflects our desire to keep moving forward.
“The resort is never satisfied standing still, so there’s more to come in 2023.”
Quinta do Lago stands tall as a pillar of European golf. With three celebrated 18-hole golf courses and top-of-the-range facilities, including the only Paul McGinley Academy in the world, the venue is a natural choice for some of golf’s most prestigious competitions. The resort is also a trusted partner of England Golf, and elite English golfers from a range of age groups have used their facilities – including state-of-the-art performance hub The Campus, which is open to top athletes and guests alike - to hone their skills over the years.
Alongside an unparalleled sports offering, guests staying in the stunning 2,000-acre Algarve resort can enjoy 14 first-class bars and restaurants or discover the picturesque Magnolia Hotel.