Quinta do Lago has enhanced its position at the forefront of the world's premier golf destinations after claiming double success at the 1st World Golf Awards, including its redeveloped North Course being named as Europe's Best New Golf Course.

The newly-revamped lay-out has won widespread acclaim since being officially opened by victorious European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and renowned American designer Beau Welling last month, and was one of the stars of the show when the winners were announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the resort last weekend. (Saturday, November 15)

The awards were being held for the first time and, in an evening of unparalleled success, Quinta do Lago had three further reasons to celebrate.

The resort's highly-regarded South Course received the coveted honour of Best Golf Course in Portugal, Portugal was named as the World's Best Golf Destination while McGinley, a regular visitor to Quinta do Lago for more than 20 years where he founded the only Paul McGinley Golf Academy in the world, was a popular choice as Golf Personality of the Year award.

John Dwyer, chief executive at Quinta do Lago, said: “It was a real thrill for us to play a leading role in the inaugural World Golf Awards and we feel tremendously honoured to win some of its main awards.

“It's our aim at Quinta do Lago to provide the best golfing experience and the success is deserved recognition and testament to the hard work put in by everyone to keep the resort at the head of worldwide golf destinations.

“The South Course continues to be regarded as one of the established stars of golf in the Algarve and we're particularly excited at the potential and prospects for the new North Course. The reaction we've received from the golf industry since it reopened has been phenomenal and the course is set to herald an exciting new era for the resort.”

Some of golf's most famous names including legendary commentator Peter Alliss and respected architect Bill Coore joined leading industry figures at the top family resort for the inaugural World Golf Awards, which also gave Quinta do Lago the chance to showcase the venue's world-class facilities including its North Course.

Redeveloped by McGinley in close collaboration with Welling, the new-look layout has been one of the most talked-about design projects in Europe in 2014, with the venue being completed in the space of just ten months.

The North Course redevelopment is part of a major €29m investment programme that has been undertaken by Quinta do Lago since 2009, and guests from 37 countries had the chance to enjoy the extensive golf and leisure facilities on offer at the resort – including 18 holes on the North Course and South Course, an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open.

All the winners were crowned at a lavish gala ceremony at the Conrad Algarve, where Alliss was presented with a lifetime achievement award and Coore, who redesigned the world-famous Pinehurst No 2 course with Ben Crenshaw, received a special golf architect award.

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 the Algarve 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.

From the outset, the resort has been at the forefront of European golf with three 18-hole championship courses matched by outstanding practice facilities including a Paul McGinley Golf Academy, a state-of-the-art TaylorMade Performance Center and new short game area. Away from the fairways, there is plenty to keep everyone occupied, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the extensive leisure activities available.

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

For further information on Quinta do Lago's North Course and the resort's facilities, phone + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com. 

Ends

Information for journalists

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 18-hole championship courses matched by outstanding practice facilities. 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.

• 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.

• 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 the world, 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 Portugal 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 Fitting 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.