Quinta do Lago’s commitment to sustainable golf course and environmental practices has been reaffirmed with the Algarve’s resort being awarded GEO Foundation certification following a three-year sustainability push.
An international distinction overseen and managed by the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation, the coveted industry accolade is presented to clubs and venues across the world who have shown a long-term dedication and priority for green practices across all facets of operations.
Set among 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago has always looked to follow the best sustainable approach to ensure flora, fauna and wildlife across the destination thrives.
Following the South Course’s €7million overhaul in 2021 – which saw several changes including Kikuyu grass installed to make the playing surface more durable – the Algarve resort began the process of obtaining GEO Foundation certification.
Over the last three years, the 54-hole venue has followed guidance from the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation to implement several on-course and off-course changes.
This includes a range of measures to preserve native species. Several animals requiring assistance at the resort, including two tawney owls, have been cared for and released back into the wild with the help of wildlife partner Centro de Recuperação e Investigação do Animais Selvagems.
More than 70 nest boxes have also been installed on the three golf courses – providing shelter and good conditions for the reproduction of several bird species. During maintenance work in 2022, it was found that 68 per cent of the boxes spread across the North, South and Laranjal courses were occupied. Since the beginning of 2024, a ‘species of the month’ programme has also been introduced to identify and spotlight the most frequently observed species to raise awareness of the golf course wildlife.
In addition, Quinta do Lago has increased the amount of food it grows itself, serving many of its restaurants with farm-to-table produce. Situated in the heart of the resort, Q-Farm contains approximately 2,000m² of raised beds, each with its own drip irrigation network and fertigation system. A second site with a state of art greenhouse has also been introduced to increase yields through the cooler winter months – 5,500kg of seasonal vegetables is now produced each year for restaurant use.
Elsewhere, multiple easy access recycling points have been created, single use water bottles have been replaced by water refill stations, heated water needs at the resort are being moved away from gas and electric to solar heated, and all 200 golf buggies now use electric zero emission technology – estimated to save on excess of 150,000kg of CO2 every year versus petrol-powered buggies.
On the golf course, irrigation methods have been improved and a complementary treatment plant has been put in place to further increase the quality of irrigation water from the local wastewater system. Irrigation pump renovation also took place as part of the South Course improvement project.
On the North Course, areas of native plants away from the fairway have been allowed to grow to encourage wildlife, while on the South Course areas of bark mulch and wood chips have been introduced to reduce the consumption of water, energy and fuel, and the need to apply fertilisers and pesticides.
Sean Moriarty, CEO of Quinta do Lago, said: “Over the past three years, the team have worked incredibly hard to implement so many changes. Situated within the Ria Formosa Natural Park, we strive to meet the highest standards for environmental practices – and this achievement highlights just that.
“To have become GEO Certified is a real testament to the continued efforts of the team and their continued commitment to sustainable golf course operation and management.”