Paul McGinley’s new-look Algarve course opens

Victorious Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes the opening of Quinta do Lago’s redeveloped North Course will cement the prestigious Algarve venue’s position among the best and most exclusive golf resorts in the world.

Days after leading Europe to a memorable Ryder Cup victory against America, McGinley was in Portugal to perform the official opening ceremony of the new €9.6m layout alongside renowned American architect Beau Welling, Quinta do Lago owner Denis O’Brien and the resort’s chief executive John Dwyer.

One of the most talked-about design projects in Europe in 2014, McGinley has redeveloped the course in close collaboration with Welling, with the new venue being completed in the space of just ten months.

Today’s Golfer was among the first to put the newlook North course to the test during the official opening day celebrations and can confirm that McGinley and Welling have a huge hit on their hands with the North having the quality and potential to replace the famous neighbouring South Course as QdL’s top track.

Among the changes introduced on the par-72, 6,776-yard course, all greens, tees, bunkers, irrigation, drainage systems and cart paths have been rebuilt using the latest state-of-the-art technology, with multiple sets of tees introduced on each hole to accommodate players of all levels.

The Ryder Cup hero said: “The North Course is something that we are all very proud of here.

“Denis O’Brien has had the foresight to upgrade in the facilities consistently over the years. This is one of the biggest investments and it will keep Quinta do Lago established as one of the premier golf resorts all over the world.

“A lot of people find the game very difficult so the aim with the golf course was to make it as playable as possible for golfers of all levels. We are trying to encourage people to play the game in a beautiful place and the aim is not too intimidate but to encourage.

“We didn’t change the template or routing of the course but upgraded it and brought it into the modern world, making it as visual as possible. We want people to go out there, have fun and enjoy the course and its challenge so much that they want to come back and play it again. The course is a challenge but also very fair.”

The redevelopment is the first golf course design project that McGinley has collaborated on together with Welling, who worked with Tom Fazio for more than ten years and is also the main consultant for Tiger Woods Design.

Welling, who has worked on more than 90 projects worldwide including the re-design of the famous PGA Tour course at Quail Hollow and Waterville in Ireland, said:“We are proud that we have created a golf course that all golfers will enjoy in the months and years to come, and I have really enjoyed working with the resort.”

A frequent visitor to Quinta do Lago for more than 20 years, the North Course is the latest major project that McGinley has been involved in at Europe’s leading family destination after opening his Paul McGinley Golf Academy in 2011 and launching a new state-of-the-art TaylorMade Fitting Centre last year.

The redevelopment is part of a major €29m investment programme that has been undertaken by Quinta do Lago since 2009, with a further €21m is set to be spent on improving its facilities in the next three years.

In line to become the new number one course at the prestigious family resort, the North Course has been revamped 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 create a golfing experience where accuracy and course management are the key factors, and a course that is playable and fun for golfers of all abilities.

Dwyer added: “What Paul and Beau have achieved in such a short space of time is amazing and we’re very excited about the future. Golfers will be blown away by the redesigned layout and I’m sure it’s a course that they will want to play time and time again.

“The North Course is part of the new face of Quinta do Lago and is the latest significant investment we have made to ensure that the resort remains the most family-friendly venue in the Algarve.”

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.

*Travel info: Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates flights to Faro from Birmingham, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £49.99 one way (£116.98 return). For further information or to book Monarch flights, Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, visit www.monarch.co.uk

*For further information on Quinta do Lago’s North Course and the resort’s facilities, phone 00351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com

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