San Roque Old Course – Renovations

San Roque Old Course

San Roque Old Course

San Roque Club

The San Roque Club, Andalusia, Spain is generally perceived as one of the top golf courses in Europe and can be found on each golf player bucket list when visiting Southern Spain, particularly as it offers two extremely differentiating experiences at one setting. The San Roque Club is revamping all parts of the club however specifically the well famous Old Course. This remodel will reaffirm its position among Europe’s top golf courses.

Since opening in 1990 the club has hosted numerous prestigious golf events, the Spanish Open for 2005 and 2006, the European Tour School from 1995-2007 and was the settlement of decision for both the European and American Ryder Cup teams in 1997. With such legacy, it is anything but difficult to perceive any reason why the new proprietors, Thorncroft, were anxious to get the club prior in 2019.

San Roque Old Course

San Roque Old Course

During its prime the club had more than 550 members and it is their goals to achieve close numbers once again. With a showcasing plan effectively under way the club has just sold two periods of participations since August 2019 and we are presently on Phase three. There will be a sum of 7 stages. As each eliminate sells the cost of the ensuing one will clearly increment. The objective is to sell another 100 memberships before the re-opening in November 2020.

To accomplish this we need to make a “door to entryway” experience that will match anything in Europe. This implies everything must be of the highest caliber. From your greeting by the caddy ace, to your post round dinner at the Clubhouse, from the molding of the course, to the solace of the storage spaces. « All of these factors will contribute to the golfer having a wonderful golfing experience,” demands, Stephen Dundas.

Giving this experience won’t be at the expense of nature. “A key emphasis and driving force of this entire renovation project is the environment “, attests John Clarkin, MD of Turfgrass, Project Manager for the Golf Course remodel. ” By reducing the turf maintenance area by 18 hectares and replacing it with Mulch, this translates into 35% less water usage, up to 30% less fuel and as a result this will allow The San Roque team to focus on the finer details of making the course play and look its very best “.

San Roque Old Course

San Roque Old Course

What enhancements are being made?

The redevelopment venture incorporates a best in class water system and drainage framework, a new bunker system just as new tees, fairways, roughs and greens. While the current plan and the general directing of the course won’t change, the point of every one of these enhancements is to make a golf course and experience that will be enjoyable and memrable for all golf players. To put it plainly, the course is being raised into the 21st century.

Different Improvements

Different territories of upgrades will incorporate the redesign of the clubhouse, this will improve the golf players pre and post golf experience and give a more noteworthy chance to the club to have significant social and corporate occasions.

The pratice areas and golf academy will be completely modernized with the help of South West Greens who are introducing synthetic turf all through, which means the areas will look immaculate and totally playable 365 days per year. The well famous Jason Floyd Golf Academy will give world class golf instruction and the most recent in innovation; including a rec center, two indoor swing rooms, a Titleist Fitting execution studio, and an indoor putting examination room.

How is the entirety of this helping the local community?

“More than 90% of the force are all local, we are working with local schools to introduce them to golf and with our enhanced facilities we are sure we will attract many more visitors to the San Roque area which can only be good for the local economy” states Stephen Dundas.

Quinta do Lago South, be prepare for some great improvements on this beautiful golf course next time you book to play it

Quinta do Lago South

Quinta do Lago South

Quinta do Lago South

Thank you for your patience and co-operation in responding and adapting to the changing circumstances throughout these last challenging weeks. We at Quinta do Lago pride ourselves on the quality of our customer service and social responsibility and so it’s wonderful to see this being shared with tour operator partners.

Now, as we begin to take steps toward reopening and safely welcoming guests back to the resort, I am pleased to give details of the investment and developments in golf at Quinta do Lago, that is currently underway.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been, and continues to be, challenging for all of us. But, while the world is in shutdown, here at Quinta do Lago we are using this time to invest in and improve the facilities and unrivalled experience we offer to our residents and guests as Europe’s premier luxury golf and lifestyle resort.

I am pleased to announce that we will invest €7 million into upgrades of our golf courses, most notably the South Course, over the coming months.

These improvements will be carried out with sustainable goals in mind and our team work with the Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) Foundation to further enhance our environmental stewardship.

Quinta do Lago North

Quinta do Lago North

Golfers can expect improvements to the iconic par-72 South Course such as:

– All fairways, bunkers, tees and green surrounds of the South Course will be revamped as well as subtle changes being made to a number of holes to enhance the playing experience.

– Installation of state-of-the-art pumps in the lake around the 16th green will maximise resort efficiency and reduce power output by 20 per cent.

– New irrigation pumps installed around the greens will give more control of irrigation water, increase efficiency and, ultimately, reduce the use of nonrenewable resources and pesticides.

– To help provide a consistent playing experience, all the fairways, approaches, greens collars and tees will be resurfaced with a hybrid Bermudagrass.

– All 48 bunkers on the course will be trimmed to their original size, with new drainage and sand added and compacted, while several bunkers currently within the pine tree canopy will be adjusted to give access to the green and two bunkers relocated to favour the modern game.

– The lakes on the third and 17th holes will be upgraded with new retaining walls giving a sharp modern look consistent with the other lakes on the course; the fairway on the eighth hole will be softened and a number of pine trees relocated to allow greater access to the green; the 16th hole is to be improved by bringing the lake into play behind the green, adding drama to the closing holes.

– A planting scheme of native species adopted across the course to increase the biodiversity of flora and fauna.

Laranjal Golf Course

Laranjal Golf Course

The South Course has played an integral part in the history of the resort and holds a special place in the hearts of so many of our residents and guests. As an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open, it is truly an iconic golfing venue and the enhancement programme that we’ve devised will help to ensure that it strengthens its position at the forefront of European golf.

The upgrade to this world-class layout is due to be completed for reopening on the 1st September, and bookings for this period are open.

Without doubt, golfers will miss the South Course over the next few months. But, during these recent weeks of closure, we have been busy priming and preparing the North and Laranjal Courses – which underwent a €9.6 m renovation in October 2014 – to give their annual aeration work early and ensure that they will remain open and in pristine condition for the remainder of the year.

In addition, we are proud to offer golfers access to our new fleet of Club Car ‘Tempo’ electric buggies and look forward to the reopening of our clubhouses, following a modern and sophisticated makeover.

This, together with the incredible golf, leisure and lifestyle facilities at Quinta do Lago, all approved “Clean & Safe” by the Turismo de Portugal, we are certain that golfers will be able to enjoy time with us over the summer – and that the improvements to the South Course will be worth the wait.

We appreciate the patience of our loyal golfing community during this time and look forward to welcoming them back at Quinta do Lago.

Algarve is ready to Welcome You

Algarve is ready to Welcome You

Algarve is ready

We hope you and your family are staying safe and well.
Demand for holidays is looking high for future seasons and although we can’t predict when the pandemic will be over, we know that our tourists will want to travel again to the Algarve when it is safe.
We have now clear and detailed health, safety and security measures in place so, the Algarve is now ready and prepared.
Cheers to a new start!

01. Portugal Opening plan and Opening Measures

On May 18th, Portugal took another step in gradually opening up its economy and social life and all services have now opened their doors.
The strict and rigorous health and safety measures continue to apply, such as the mandatory use of masks, a social distance of two meters, frequent hand disinfection by workers, visitors or customers, and surfaces and spaces.
Check Portugal Opening Plan and Opening measures in the links:
Portugal Opening Plan
Portugal Travel measures

02. Algarve is open for business!

Algarve is open for tourists this summer and will be welcoming international visitors once travel restrictions are lifted.
Golf courses, marinas and car hire businesses are open with strict health protocols
– Hotels – Over a third of the region’s hotels are open already, by June 75% are expected to open and by July most will be open.
– Beaches will officially open in June 6th, with health regulations and procedures in place
– Restaurants are open with 50% capacity restrictions
– Water parks will open in June and July

03. No Quarantine

No quarantine will be imposed for travellers arriving in Faro: Portugal’s foreign minister Augusto Santos Silva stressed that “to tourists who come by air, Portugal will not impose a quarantine”, instead focusing on “minimal health controls” to keep travellers and locals safe.

04. Who Fancies a trip to play golf in the Algarve?

In a progressive step, golf courses in the Algarve – voted the world’s favourite golf destination 2020 by the golf tourism industry – have re-opened their doors.
Presented in excellent conditions each golf venue is following strict public health guidelines and has implemented new measures under the Portuguese Golf Federation’s guidance, to ensure safety and responsibility for players and staff. New national ‘Clean & Safe’ certification stamp from Turismo de Portugal for tourism related businesses, we are making a huge effort to bring confidence and security to our incredible golf tourism industry.

05. You Can now enjoy the beach!

It’s allowed to go to the beach to enjoy the sun and sea and the season will start officially on the 6th of June with special measures implemented.
The Algarve region is the one with the most bathing areas distinguished with Blue Flag award. In addition to beaches, also Vilamoura, Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira Marinas were distinguished with Blue Flag.
The Blue Flag is an environmental award given annually to beaches, marinas and recreational ports that meet a set of criteria for environmental management, environmental education, information, bathing water quality, services and user safety.

06. 1st Flights to Faro

Airlines are showing their confidence in the region with the following companies confirming flights to Faro: Ryanair, Easyjet, Eurowings, Lufthansa, British Airways, Jet2, Tui Belgium, Edelweiss Air, Luxair Tours and Transavia.

07. Algarve “Clean & safe” seal – Good practices guide

Algarve is a pioneer by publishing a ‘Best Practices Guide’ for tourism companies as part of the national ‘Clean & Safe’ campaign with hygiene protocols and procedures to protect visitors, staff and locals from Covid-19.
Since 18th of May, when Portugal started the 2nd phase of lifting lockdown measures, there are now more than 1.900 companies with the Clean & Safe seal. Among hotels and resorts, local accommodation, travel agencies and excursion companies, also restaurants and rent-a-car services are getting the seal:
Hotels – 397
Travel agencies and transfers – 248
Touristic activities companies – 271
Local accommodation – 1454

Clean & Safe

Check in the link all our members with the seal:
www.algarvepromotion.pt/en/associadosSubList2.aspx?cleansafe=1
Algarve Clean & Safe – Best Pratices Manual

08. Remember me Algarve

Algarve misses all its tourists, but we are ready to have them back.
Travel restrictions are gradually falling across Europe, and on Portugal’s sunny coast we are already looking forward to the first visitors, who will be able to spend their holidays in the Algarve again.