One of the Algarve's most popular golfing venues, Quinta do Lago's Laranjal has won new acclaim after being hailed by Golf Magazin, Germany's number one golf publication, as its favourite course in the famous Portuguese golf destination.

The par-72 layout, which was opened in 2008, was rated the best of a selection of first-class venues played by the reviewing panel from Germany's best-selling golf magazine in a feature on the southern Algarve that was published in its latest issue.

Built on an old orange grove and the personal favourite of Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley, who has been a regular visitor to Quinta do Lago for more than 20 years, Laranjal provides a pure golfing experience in a picture-perfect setting.

Featuring lightning-fast giant-sized greens, well-placed water features and a plethora of Augusta-style bunkers among its many highlights, the course is a great challenge for players of all levels and is a must-play venue for any golfer visiting the Algarve.

In its review, Golf Magazin said: “Laranjal is one of the most beautiful and best places – the place is a secret in the autumn waiting to be discovered.

“The service is excellent on arrival and check-in at the pro shop is quick and easy … The accurately-cut fairways meander around the former orange tree plantation, the greens are mega-fast while the bunkers dazzle with their powder-fine white sand.”

It concludes: “(With) accurately-trimmed fairways, bunkers with gleaming white, fine sand, huge, fast greens – it is in sensational overall condition. Wide fairways and little rough guarantee pure fun.”

Quinta do Lago's new North Course, which was officially opened by McGinley last autumn and was named 'Europe's Best New Course' at the 2014 World Golf Awards, also won glowing praise from Golf Magazin's Algarve review.

Redesigned by renowned American architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with McGinley, the layout has been built to the highest specification and redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy.

While many modern-day developments tend to focus on length, Welling and McGinley have been keen to design a golfing experience where accuracy and course management are the key factors, and a course that is playable and fun for players of all abilities.

Golf Magazin said: “The condition (of the course) is sensational even at this early stage. The fairways are like carpets and it has strategically-placed bunkers and fast greens with several plateaus. Everything is spic and span, (and the course) is beautifully positioned in a pine forest.

“This place provides the standard for all other projects and underlines, once more, the supremacy of the Algarve as a top golf destination in Europe.”

Completing Quinta do Lago's trio of first-class championship venues is its prestigious South Course – an eight-time venue of the Portuguese Open – with the resort's excellent courses matched by outstanding practice facilities including Europe's only Paul McGinley Golf Academy, the only TaylorMade Performance Center in Southern Europe and a new short game area – also created by Welling and McGinley.

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of European golf since opening in 1972 while, away from the fairways, the resort's extensive leisure facilities guarantee there is plenty to keep everyone occupied, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the activities available.

For further information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, phone + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com .

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Press release written and distributed on behalf of Quinta do Lago by the Azalea Group.

For more information on Quinta do Lago or images contact Daniel Chidley on 01730 711920, or email daniel@theazaleagroup.com

Quinta do Lago (www.quintadolago.com)

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is one of the most highly regarded golf and residential developments in Europe since opening in 1972. Located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, the resort offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community.

Since its inception, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of European golf with three award-winning championship courses matched by outstanding practice facilities including Europe's only Paul McGinley Golf Academy and the only TaylorMade Performance Center in Southern Europe. Away from the fairways, the resort's extensive leisure facilities guarantee there is plenty to keep everyone occupied, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the activities available.

The resort's stunning location by the beach offers the perfect place to relax and unwind while its wide array of restaurants, both formal and informal, take advantage of the fresh Mediterranean produce that the resort has become famous for.

Quinta do Lago has enjoyed the honour of hosting eight Portuguese Opens as well as numerous other international golf tournaments, and its world-class golf facilities include:

• Quinta do Lago North Course – Opened in October 2014, the totally revamped North Course has been redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and is set to become one of the new stars of European golf. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications with a €9.6m investment programme and has been redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy. The course was named 'Europe's Best New Golf Course' at the 2014 World Golf Awards.

• Quinta do Lago South Course – A favourite among European Tour professionals, the South Course calls for accurate drives and precise shots, but rewards players for their efforts with the stunning backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Regularly included in Golf World magazine's 'Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe', the par-72 layout has hosted the Portuguese Open on no fewer than eight occasions while it was named 'Best Course in Portugal' at the 2014 World Golf Awards.

• Laranjal – Designed in the grounds of an orange grove, the par-72 course was named as Portugal's Best Golf Course 2011 at the Portuguese Travel Awards, and poses serious tests for players of all abilities. Opened in 2008, Laranjal offers a pure golfing experience right next to the Quinta do Lago estate and features fairways sown with Bermuda grass, providing a challenging playing environment in a picture-perfect setting.

• Paul McGinley Academy – Quinta do Lago is home to the only Paul McGinley Academy in Europe, founded in October 2011 by the 2014 European Ryder Cup captain. With a strong involvement from McGinley himself, the academy aims to cultivate and improve golfers' play by providing them with the tools and techniques used by professionals on tour.

• TaylorMade Performance Center – Quinta do Lago's TaylorMade Performance Center is the only facility of its kind in Southern Europe and is located on the resort's expansive driving range. Opened in May 2013, the centre is operated by trained TaylorMade technicians, offering golfers a custom-fitting experience testing hundreds of club and iron options, ensuring the best combination for every player's swing.

• New Short Game Area – Designed by Beau Welling and Paul McGinley, the new short game area is unique in Portugal and complements the facilities on offer at the Paul McGinley Golf Academy and TaylorMade Performance Center. Ideal for practising a variety of shots, the facilities includes two undulating greens – a separate putting and chipping green – and two greenside bunkers.

For further information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, phone + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com