Quinta do Lago, one of the world's elite luxury golf and lifestyle destinations, is celebrating a prestigious new honour after being named as Portugal's number one golfing venue in Golf World magazine's inaugural 'Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe' rankings list.

The famous Algarve venue received widespread praise from the magazine's judging panel after securing ninth place in the much-anticipated list of the continent's premier places to play and stay.

Resorts were assessed across five categories – golf courses, accommodation, amenities, practice facilities and accessibility – and Quinta do Lago scored highly in each to amass an overall total of 82.1 points out of 100, with the Top 100 panel highlighting the outstanding golf facilities available.

Quinta do Lago's three 18-hole championship courses – the revamped North Course, South Course and Laranjal – are complemented by extensive practice facilities including Europe's only Paul McGinley Golf Academy and the only TaylorMade Performance Center in Southern Europe.

Explaining its decision, the Top 100 panel said: “The golf is superb and there are lots of amenities/hotels in the town-like resort …(along with) villa accommodation, restaurants and an academy.”

Andrew Harding, co-founder of golf travel specialists Your Golf Travel, was also lavish in his praise in the magazine, singling Quinta do Lago out as the European resort with the best quantity of golf holes, and added: “It has three superb golf courses. I always make sure I play at least one of them when I'm in the Algarve.”

Sean Moriarty, Quinta do Lago's new chief executive, said: “Everyone at Quinta do Lago is very proud to have been acknowledged as Portugal's top golf resort in this influential new list.

“Such plaudits are deserved recognition for the hard work and considerable investment that the resort has made to upgrade its sporting and leisure facilities. These are exciting times on and off the golf course.”

Chaired by Golf World magazine's courses and travel editor Chris Bertram, the Top 100 judging panel sought views from leading figures in the golf tourism industry as well as some of Europe's most respected golf travel media before finalising the list.

The honour follows in the wake of Quinta do Lago's North and South courses both being included in Golf World's list of the Top 100 Courses in Europe last year at the end of a hugely successful 12 months, which also saw the resort named as 'Europe's Best Golf Venue' at the 2015 World Golf Awards and voted 'Portugal's Best Golf Resort 'by readers of Today's Golfer magazine.

An eight-time host of the Portuguese Open, Quinta do Lago has reinvented itself over the last six years into one of the world's most vibrant luxury lifestyle experiences, with the redesign of its North Course and the opening of its highly-acclaimed new Bovino Steakhouse among a number of high-profile changes.

The official winter training base for England Golf's elite squads and situated in the tranquil setting of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, the resort is perfect for a relaxing family holiday in exquisite surroundings and offers the very best in award-winning sports and leisure facilities.

Away from the fairways, there's plenty to keep guests occupied with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the extensive leisure activities available, while a choice of 10 exclusive bars and restaurants take advantage of the fresh Mediterranean produce that Quinta do Lago has become famous for.

For more information about Quinta do Lago, 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 among 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. Among its recent accolades, the resort was voted 'Europe's Best Golf Venue' at the 2015 World Golf Awards.

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 Centre – 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.

• Short Game Area – Designed by Beau Welling and Paul McGinley, the recently-opened 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.