The Algarve’s Quinta do Lago Resort has welcomed some of England’s elite golfers for some warm-weather training
– February 28, 2020
The country’s top amateur women and girls and the elite boys’ squad recently enjoyed five-star golf and leisure facilities at their winter training camps. The primary focus of the warm-weather breaks was for the players to work on England Golf’s five ‘Pillars of Performance’ — world-class holing out, outstanding short game, precise wedge play, ball-flight control and strategy/tactical awareness.
Among the leading names taking part at Quinta do Lago were GB & Ireland Walker Cup star Conor Gough — who won the 2019 English Men’s Amateur title aged just 17 — Curtis Cup player and European number two Lily May Humphreys; reigning Women’s Amateur champion Emily Toy; and Mimi Rhodes, who won the prestigious Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship at the resort in November.
Jennifer Henderson, assistant performance manager for the England Women’s and Girls’ squads, said: “For me, not only are the practice facilities world-class in design and condition, but having exclusive use of every type within close proximity, means we can greater individualise group training sessions and easily adapt to the needs of the players. Having a choice of championship golf courses also means our national coaches have numerous opportunities to continue player development in increasingly challenging scenarios.”
A long-term partner of England Golf, Quinta do Lago’s facilities include three 18-hole championship golf courses — the North, South and Laranjal — a Paul McGinley Golf Academy, a TaylorMade Performance Centre and extensive leisure activities and facilities.
Players also worked on their strength and conditioning at the resort’s state-of-the-art performance centre The Campus — a world-class sports hub, and Stephen Burnett, performance manager for men’s golf, conveyed his delight at the opportunity of benefiting from the facilities: “For me, it’s the opportunity to practice and compete at such a top-quality facility with fabulous playing surfaces, which just aren’t available to us back in the UK at this time of year. Quinta do Lago’s director of golf, Brian Evans, and his staff took care of our every need, both this week and on previous visits; it’s just a top-class venue. One thing I would highlight this year are the putting surfaces. They are as good or better than they’ve ever been. This has been just an ideal opportunity for the boys to work with the team and put in the hours to make them better players heading into the start of a busy season.”
With the Algarve again being chosen to accommodate some of the world’s best golfers, the region’s unrivalled reputation as a global golfing location of choice is deservedly reinforced.