Quinta do Lago has made a flying start to its new partnership with England Golf after the prestigious Algarve resort played host to the first players in its new role as the winter training base for England Golf’s national squads. England Golf has agreed an exclusive four-year deal with Quinta do Lago to host its men’s, ladies, boys and girls elite squads during two months of the closed season. Making an early start to their preparations, players from the England men’s and ‘A’ squads recently enjoyed two training camps at the resort.
Squad members were put through a series of intensive daily activities including swing techniques, fitness sessions, short game specifics, wedge play, ball-flight control, game management and the all-important mental side of golf. Graham Walker, coach of the England Men’s Squad, was enthusiastic in his assessment of the warm weather sessions. “It was a great benefit to be able to play and practise on championship-standard courses throughout the winter. The courses were a pleasure to play and all the players enjoyed them. The other facilities at Quinta do Lago including the food were top of the range and the staff were very accommodating, allowing us to concentrate on our work.”
Paul Ashwell, coach of the England ‘A’ Squad, also praised the facilities at Quinta do Lago. “The players were tasked with working towards their own personal development plans which are individual to each team member and cover a broad range of skills. They really liked playing the South Course, which was in very good condition. All the players benefitted from a week of good, hard practice in winter sunshine and have gained the experience of playing on one of the best courses in Europe. We’re looking forward to our next visit.”
The England Golf National Performance Programme supports around 50 of the best amateur players within the England national squads and a further talented 160 players within boys and girls regional squads. This programme aims to support players to break into the top 10 of the World Amateur World Golf Rankings and for progression into the professional ranks. With aspirations to follow in the footsteps of successful amateurs like Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Charlie Hull, the current England Golf players who visited Quinta do Lago were:
– England Men’s Squad: Dan Brown, Adam Chapman, Joe Dean, Paul Howard, Luke Johnson, Paul Kinnear, Jimmy Mullen, Michael Saunders and Dan Wasteney.
– England ‘A’ Squad: Ben Amor, Jamie Bower, Jamie Dick, Tom Gandy, Oscar Granstrom-Livesey, Scott Gregory, Bobby Keeble, Sean Towndrow, Ashton Turner and Andrew Wilson.
Once again, the Algarve has underlined its status as one the world’s top venues of choice for golfers from amateurs to top professionals who enjoy the wonderful climate and fantastic facilities of the region and the great news for golfers everywhere is that 2015 promises another fantastic year of golf in the beautiful Algarve.