The Crown Jewel of the Algarve: Quinta do Lago South
In the lexicon of European golf, few destinations command the reverence and historical weight of Quinta do Lago. Situated in the heart of the Algarve’s "Golden Triangle"—a nexus of luxury tourism comprising Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, and Vilamoura—the South Course is not merely a collection of eighteen holes; it is the foundational pillar upon which the region’s reputation as a premier golfing destination was built. The story of the South Course is inextricably linked to the vision of André Jordan, the property developer who, in the early 1970s, looked out over a desolate landscape of marshlands and umbrella pines and envisioned a low-density, high-luxury resort that would coexist harmoniously with the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
When the course opened in 1974, it did so against a backdrop of profound political instability in Portugal, coinciding with the Carnation Revolution. To launch a luxury golf development during a period of such societal upheaval was a gamble of immense proportions. However, the quality of the layout, designed by American architect William F. Mitchell, was immediately apparent. Mitchell brought a North American design philosophy to the Iberian Peninsula, introducing standards of agronomy, bunkering, and green complex construction that were virtually unknown in continental Europe at the time. This "Americanization" of the playing surfaces—characterized by large, receptive greens, bold sand hazards, and clearly defined teeing grounds—set a new benchmark for the industry. It effectively signaled to the global golfing community that Portugal was ready to host world-class competition.
Today, nearly half a century later, the South Course remains the "crown jewel" of the Quinta do Lago estate. It has weathered economic cycles, changes in ownership, and the evolution of golf technology to retain its status as a bucket-list destination. Its significance is underscored not just by its longevity, but by its adaptability. The massive €7 million renovation completed in 2021 was not a desperate attempt to fix a broken course, but a strategic reinvestment to ensure that this "Grand Dame" of the Algarve could continue to compete with modern super-resorts while retaining the classic character that defined its golden era
The architectural signature of William Mitchell is the backbone of the South Course. In 1974, Mitchell was tasked with routing a course through a dense forest of stone pines (Pinus pinea) and alongside the tidal flats of the Ria Formosa. His genius lay in his restraint. rather than forcing the land to conform to a pre-conceived grid, Mitchell allowed the holes to wander through the trees, using the pines to frame fairways and dictate lines of play.
Mitchell’s design introduced a scale that was grander than the typical European courses of the era. He prioritized "American-standard" greens—large putting surfaces with broad, sweeping contours rather than the small, flat push-up greens common in older British or Iberian designs. This choice was pivotal. It allowed for a variety of pin positions that could dramatically alter the difficulty of a hole from day to day, a feature that would later prove essential when the course began hosting professional tournaments. Furthermore, his bunkering was bold and visual. The sand traps were not merely penal pits; they were aesthetic features that flashed up against the green of the pines, guiding the golfer’s eye and defining the strategic corridors of the holes.
Quinta do lago south Portuguese Open Years
The true validation of any championship course is its ability to test the world’s best players. Quinta do Lago South has hosted the Portuguese Open, a European Tour event, on eight separate occasions. These tournaments were instrumental in broadcasting the allure of the Algarve to a global audience, showcasing the pristine conditions and sun-drenched fairways to golfers shivering in northern Europe.
The Winners Circle
The list of champions who have hoisted the trophy at Quinta do Lago reads like a "Who's Who" of European golf in the late 20th century.
1984-1986: The course hosted a consecutive run of opens, establishing consistency in the tour schedule.
1989: Colin Montgomerie (Scotland).
1990: Mike McLean (England).
2001: Phillip Price (Wales).
The Miracle of 1989: Montgomerie’s 63
Of all the events hosted, the 1989 Portuguese Open remains the most legendary. It marked the first European Tour victory for Colin Montgomerie, a player who would go on to win the Order of Merit eight times. His performance at Quinta do Lago South was nothing short of supernatural. Montgomerie finished the tournament at 24 under par, winning by a staggering margin of 11 strokes.
During this demolition of the field, Montgomerie shot a round of 63, which at the time broke the world record for the lowest round relative to par in a major professional event context. This historic achievement highlighted a duality in the South Course’s character: while it punishes wayward shots with pine trees and sand, it rewards precision ball-striking with ample scoring opportunities. The large greens, if accessed from the correct angle, allow players to pour in putts. Montgomerie’s victory cemented the South Course’s reputation as a "player’s course"—fair, pristine, but yieldable to brilliance.
