Golden Tournament

Laranjal opened in 2009 and was voted Best Golf Course at the 2011 Portuguese Travel Awards.

Originally an orange grove, the par 72 championship course is situated 2 km east of the resort, in the Ludo Valley. Boasting spectacular fairways and well-defined greens, Laranjal is renowned for its five beautiful lakes, umbrella pines, cork-oaks and orange trees.

At 6,480 metres in length, the challenging course demands the highest level of concentration and accuracy. Its distinctive rolling terrain has been expertly designed and manicured to provide a world-class golfing experience.

Featuring five par 5s, eight par 4s and five par 3s, the course is sown with Bermuda grass on the fairways and Penn A4 on the greens, ensuring excellent putting surfaces throughout the year.

The North Course was totally redesigned in 2014, by renowned architect Beau Welling, in conjunction with former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications, with an investment of €9million.

All the greens, tees, bunkers, irrigation and drainage systems and cart paths have been re-built using innovative technology. Four sets of tees have been introduced on each hole to accommodate players of all levels. Golfers are challenged by a combination of undulating greens, well-positioned bunkers and water hazards.

A low-cut Bermuda grass approach has been introduced around greens to create recovery shot options, therefore encouraging all levels of play. Through the introduction of seasonal rough grass and the planting of specimen trees, the aesthetics and environmental impact of the par-72 course has significantly improved. The renovation has allowed for water recycling, solar energy while the grassy areas will encourage new ecosystems

The South Course is the crown jewel of Quinta do Lago. Designed in 1974 by William Mitchell, who introduced American-standard greens, tees and bunkers to the Algarve. Soon the course gained a prestigious reputation and became a flagship in the European Tour Course. A favourite among European tour players, the 6,500 metre par 72 is set among umbrella pines, lakes and wild flowers, overlooking the serene Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Its championship status however does not deter the amateur golfer. While the 8th, 15th and 18th are testing holes for low handicap players, the course’s varying difficulty challenges golfers of all levels and abilities. Accurate tee shots are essential for reaching the greens, as the variety of doglegs and strategically located hazards increases the course’s difficulty. The front nine holes, which wind their way through the parkland, favour a draw. While the back nine, which loop around the lake, favour a fade from the tea.