Quinta do Lago has enhanced its reputation as a global leader for golf sustainability after being named as the recipient of the 2021 International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) Sustainability Award for Resource Efficiency.
Europe’s premier golf and lifestyle resort claimed the honour for the first time in its prestigious history for the “significant strides” it has made in resource management across materials, water and energy.
Delivered in partnership with the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) Foundation for Sustainable Golf, the awards recognise the sustainability work of golf facilities worldwide. Currently in their eighth year, they acknowledge the high performance and commitment across three core areas of sustainability – nature, resources and community.
Announcing this year’s winners, the judging panel singled Quinta do Lago out for special praise for its outstanding work in reducing its areas of maintained turf, investment in an upgraded irrigation system and its use of recycled water combine to maximise efficiency. In addition, the resort was further praised for its investment in a fully electric fleet of golf carts and hybrid golf course maintenance equipment and worked with local government to trial and develop renewable energy solutions.
Sean Moriarty, chief executive of Quinta do Lago, said: “The subject of sustainability in golf has never been more important, and to be recognised for the work that the resort is doing towards this is a great honour and very satisfying.
“We have always been a resort driven by nature with an environmental focus and have a long-term commitment to being a high-profile champion of sustainability.
“As a resort, we are united in our approach to supporting nature and our communities - conserving resources at the same time – and the great thing about golf is that it can be a leader in so many ways; from eco-system services, conservation of wildlife and health and well-being for all ages to creating jobs and adding value to the economy through local supply chains.”
Peter Walton, chief executive of IAGTO, said: “While the golf tourism industry was focused on coping with and recovering from pandemic-related travel restrictions, it was great to see so many golf courses take this time to review their sustainability programs, and in many cases take them to another level. This year, more than ever, I’ve been blown away by the ingenuity and real dedication that so many golf courses continue to demonstrate.”
Nestling in the heart of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago has always been passionate about the environment – only nine per cent of the resort has been developed with the rest devoted to golf, water and lakes and green spaces.
Working closely with the GEO and following its ‘On Course’ environmental stewardship programme, Quinta do Lago launched a multi-tiered eco-strategy with three key aims: to foster nature, conserve resources and support the community.
As well as improving sustainability on its three 18-hole championship courses, the acclaimed Portuguese venue adopted an enhanced approach to conservation across other business sectors of the resort including at its world-class sports hub The Campus, The Magnolia Hotel, its 13 bars and restaurants and general resort services.
At the forefront of Quinta do Lago’s green initiatives has been the €7m renovation of its South Course, an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open and recently named as ‘Portugal’s Best Golf Course’ at the World Golf Awards.
Among the improvements made, all of the layouts’ fairways, bunkers, tees and green surrounds received an upgrade, with subtle changes also being made to a number of holes to enhance the golfing experience.
Sustainability was a goal throughout the project, with Quinta do Lago golf course superintendent Mark Tupling and his team operating in tandem with the GEO and local non-profit company VitaNativa to record and enhance environmental stewardship across the golf courses. Water management was a key element of the changes made with new irrigation pumps being installed along with enhancements to the existing system – giving greater control and saving precious resources.
In addition, a planting scheme introducing native plants in and around the golf courses to control and remove invasive exotic species; building ‘bug hotels’ for insects – helping to control garden pests so reducing the use of insecticides – increasing the number of bird-nesting boxes and constructing bee houses; removing single-use plastics at its restaurants; and using a new fleet of electric golf buggies across the resort are among the other initiatives to be introduced to help conserve resources.
Quinta do Lago created its own farm in 2019 to provide its restaurants with homegrown organic produce, while further measures to help foster nature include the placing information boards on the golf courses and nearby nature trails advising people of the wildlife living nearby.
As one of the biggest employers in the Almancil area with more than 500 staff employed throughout the year, the resort also appreciates the importance of supporting the local community in its new eco-strategy.
As well as offering affordable golf to juniors taking up the game and support in playing regional and national tournaments, a series of other events and activities will be available including guided nature walks through the golf courses, educational trips to the resort farm and working closely with the animals living in and around the resort.
Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and just a 15-minute drive from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of Europe’s elite golf, sports and family destinations for nearly five decades and features a combination of world-class golf and lifestyle facilities.
As well as three 18-hole championship golf courses – the South Course, North Course and Laranjal – and outstanding practice facilities, guests can enjoy an array of sports at the state-of-the-art performance centre The Campus, a world-class sports hub designed for professionals and amateurs alike to train and live well.
Complementing the facilities is a choice of 13 first-class bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious world cuisines, including the acclaimed Bovino Steakhouse and UMAMI – the resort’s first Asian restaurant which opened in May – with accommodation at the boutique The Magnolia Hotel.