Quinta do Lago Resort near Faro, Portugal, has completed a renovation of its South course, part of a €7m investment into the resort.

All 48 bunkers on the course, which was designed in 1974 by William Mitchell, have been renovated to their original size, with new drainage and sand added. Several bunkers within the pine tree canopy were adjusted to give access to the green and two other bunkers were relocated.

The lakes on the third and seventeenth holes now have new retaining walls, the eighth fairway has been softened, a number of pine trees have been relocated, and the lake on the sixteenth has been brought into play behind the green. Extensive drainage work has also been carried out on the sixteenth hole to capture and divert natural spring water to be reused as irrigation.

The resort’s golf course superintendent Mark Tupling oversaw the project and worked with GEO Foundation, as part of the club’s commitment to sustainability.

Sean Moriarty, CEO at Quinta do Lago, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone, but while the world is in shutdown, here at Quinta do Lago we are used 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.

“As an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open, the South course 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 South course will reopen in early 2021.

The resort’s North and Laranjal courses have also had some maintenance work completed, including annual aeration on both layouts.