Quinta do Lago Hosts England's Elite Amateurs

The luxury Quinta do Lago Resort in Portugal – one of Europe’s premier golf destinations – has welcomed England Golf’s elite men’s, ladies and junior squads throughout the winter ahead of a busy international schedule, with the England men’s team the latest to visit the Algarve resort for warm-weather training.

The England squad which travelled to Quinta do Lago, under the auspices of manager Kevin Tucker and coaches Graham Walker, David Ridley and Phil Kenyon, was Jamie Bower (Yorkshire); Marco Penge (Sussex); Adam Chapman (Cumbria); Alfie Plant (Kent); Paul Kinnear (Lancashire); Bradley Moore (Derbyshire); and Ashton Turner (Lincolnshire).

After signing an exclusive four-year deal to become England Golf’s winter training base in 2014, Quinta do Lago continues to stage five and seven-day winter training camps for England’s men’s, ladies, boys and girls elite squads between January and March.

Squad members were put through a series of activities and practice sessions on the resort’s championship courses and in the Paul McGinley Golf Academy – the only one in Europe. As well as working on swing techniques, daily activities for the players included sessions on fitness, the short game, wedge play, ball-flight control, game management and the mental side of the game.

Players also had the chance to enjoy the resort’s array of other five-star facilities and England Golf’s coaches continue to eulogise about the venue.

Tucker said: “As always, it was great to get the chance to prepare for the coming season by visiting Quinta do Lago. The practice facilities and the quality of the courses, especially the greens, are an invaluable tool in developing our players.

“The Quinta do Lago team was, as ever, very helpful in catering for our coaches’ needs. We all look forward to returning again next winter.”

Under the terms of the four-year agreement, England Golf squads visit Quinta do Lago each winter and use its driving range and practice facilities, as well as having access to both the South and North courses.

The England Golf National Performance Programme supports around 50 of the best amateur players within the England national squads and a further talented 160 players within boys and girls’ regional squads. This programme aims to support players in their quest to break into the top 10 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking and to make the transition into the professional ranks, following in the footsteps of successful amateurs such as Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Charley Hull, Melissa Reid, Holly Clyburn and, of course, the 2016 Masters champion, Danny Willett.

Officially opened by former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley in October 2014, Quinta do Lago’s North Course has quickly risen to become one of the new stars of European golf and, as well as being named ‘Europe’s Best New Golf Course’ at the 2014 World Golf Awards, was a new entry in Golf World’s benchmark Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe 2015/16 rankings.

Situated just 15 minutes from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago’s three championship courses – the North Course, South Course and Laranjal – are matched by outstanding practice facilities including Europe’s only Paul McGinley Golf Academy and the only TaylorMade Performance Center in Southern Europe.

The resort’s enviable 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 Quinta do Lago has become famous for, including its new Bovino Steakhouse and renowned Casa do Lago restaurant.

Away from the fairways, extensive leisure facilities guarantee there is plenty to keep everyone occupied, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the activities available.