Fourth annual tournament raises more than €12,000 to launch new golf project bringing schoolchildren closer to the game.
A family tournament held in memory of promising young Portuguese golfer Tiago Sousa has raised more than €12,000 to help inspire the next generation of golfers at Quinta do Lago.
The fourth annual Tiago Sousa Memorial Golf Tournament, held on Quinta do Lago’s South Course in August, brought together 88 players for a day of golf, family and fundraising at the Algarve resort, with the money raised providing the foundation for the new Tiago Sousa Golf Project.
Created in collaboration with the Paul McGinley Golf Academy, Quinta do Lago and the Portuguese Golf Federation, the project will use the funds to bring professional golf coaching into local schools, giving more children the opportunity to discover and develop a passion for the game.
The tournament celebrates the life and legacy of Tiago Sousa, who was a much-loved member of the Quinta do Lago golfing community. A former member of the Paul McGinley Golf Academy and Junior Club, Sousa developed his passion for golf at the resort before pursuing his ambition of becoming a professional golfer.
Tiago left Portugal to attend college in the United States on a golf scholarship but, on March 15, 2022, he tragically lost his life in an accident while returning from a college golf tournament, alongside five of his teammates and their coach.
His connection with Quinta do Lago has continued through the memorial tournament, which places family at the centre of an event designed to ensure his love for golf lives on. The format is open to a parent and child, with no age restriction on the child, reflecting the importance of sharing the game across generations.
European Ryder Cup-winning captain, Paul McGinley, was on hand to host the event and conduct the prize-giving ceremony where Kevin and Diego Leslie claimed the memorial trophy with a gross score of 65, finishing three shots ahead of runners-up Ricardo Afonso and Amelia Gabin, who carded a 68.
Callum Burgess, head golf professional at the Paul McGinley Academy, said: “Tiago was a very special part of the Quinta do Lago family and it is incredibly meaningful to see his love for golf continue to inspire others.
“The vision behind the tournament is to create something positive from Tiago’s legacy. By helping more children experience golf, learn the game and discover everything it can offer, we hope to give them the same sense of enjoyment and opportunity that Tiago found through the sport.
“This year’s tournament was a wonderful celebration of Tiago’s memory and the generosity of everyone who supported it. We are incredibly proud that the funds raised will now help us take golf into local schools and introduce the game to a new generation.”
The Tiago Sousa Golf Project marks the latest chapter in Quinta do Lago’s longstanding commitment to junior golf and developing young talent. The resort is home to the Paul McGinley Golf Academy and a year-round programme of junior coaching, camps and tournaments, including the Paul McGinley Junior Cup and the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship.
Set among 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago continues to lead the way in luxury living, elite sport, exceptional golf and active lifestyle experiences. Away from the fairways, Quinta do Lago boasts one of the most diverse and acclaimed culinary offerings in Europe, with 14 bars and restaurants to cater for every taste.