Quinta do Lago’s new golf course superintendent has made the Earth move to take his skills to the Algarve as he targets an environmentally-responsible approach to the new role.

After nine years as agronomy manager at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai – where the Earth Course hosts the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship – Mark Tupling is determined to focus his efforts on sustainability to maintain Quinta do Lago’s position as one of Europe’s leading resorts.

And the 40-year-old is keen to establish some mutually-beneficial relationships to preserve and enhance the natural surroundings of the resort and the location.

Tupling said: “Quinta do Lago is stunning. I have known of the property for a number of years having been within the golf industry and having been part of the European Tour Destinations portfolio.

“I am an advocate for environmentally-responsible approaches to life and this is something I also aspire to uphold in the way I manage golf courses. Quinta do Lago is blessed to border the Ria Formosa – one of the world’s largest nature Reserves – and working with environmental organisations is going to be a focus of mine in promoting the benefits that golf courses offer in nature.”

Originally from Yorkshire in the UK, Tupling is the son of former professional Peter Tupling – who played in the Open Championship four times – but opted to pursue a career elsewhere in the golf industry.

He explained: “I was raised in golf as my father was a PGA professional but knowing I was not going to follow the playing side, I took up education in golf course management and then completed an Excellence in Golf Award programme at Gleneagles. That’s where I fell in love with the turf industry.

“When the opportunity came up to join Quinta do Lago, it was impossible to refuse. Our time in the UAE was coming to a natural conclusion and our two girls are entering their formative school years, so a move to Europe was already in our minds. But the timing was perfect and it’s an exciting challenge.”

Sean Moriarty, chief executive at Quinta do Lago, said: “To be able to attract someone of Mark’s calibre is a huge coup for us. His record and CV speaks for itself and we believe he will take our standards to an even higher level.”

Quinta do Lago boasts three 18-hole championship golf courses – the North, South and Laranjal – and outstanding practice facilities. Situated just 15 minutes from Faro airport in Portugal’s famous southern stretch of coastline, guests can stay in shape at the state-of-the-art performance centre The Campus, a world-class sports hub designed for professionals and amateurs alike to keep fit.

Complementing the golf facilities is a choice of 13 first-class bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious world cuisines – including the acclaimed Bovino Steakhouse and Dano’s Sports Bar & Restaurant – with accommodation on offer at the resort’s recently-acquired boutique The Magnolia Hotel.

ENDS

About Quinta do Lago
Since its inception in 1972, Quinta do Lago has been at the forefront of international golf, hosting eight Portuguese Opens as well as numerous other international tournaments. Home to three world-class golf courses, the resort also boasts a wealth of cutting-edge practice facilities.

• Quinta do Lago North Course – Opening in October 2014, the totally revamped North Course has been redeveloped by renowned American golf architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with 2014 European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and is set to become one of the new stars of European golf. The new layout has been built to the highest specifications with a €9.6m investment programme and has been redeveloped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy. While many modern-day developments tend to focus on length, Welling and McGinley have been keen to design a golfing experience where accuracy and course management are the key factors, and a course that is playable and fun for golfers of all abilities.
• Quinta do Lago South Course – A favourite among European Tour professionals, the South Course calls for accurate drives and precise shots, but rewards players for their efforts with the stunning backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Regularly included in Golf World magazine’s ‘Top 100 Golf Courses in Europe’, the par-72 layout has received widespread praise for its strategically-placed hazards and varying difficulty across the 18 holes. Having hosted the Portuguese Open on no fewer than eight occasions, the South Course is regarded as one of Portugal’s premier golfing venues. 
• Laranjal – Designed by Jorge Santana da Silva in the grounds of an orange grove, the par-72 course was named as Portugal’s Best Golf Course 2011 at the Portuguese Travel Awards, and poses serious tests for players of all abilities. Opened in 2008, Laranjal offers a pure golfing experience right next to the Quinta do Lago estate and features fairways sown with Bermuda grass, providing a challenging playing environment in a picture-perfect setting.
• Paul McGinley Academy – Quinta do Lago is home to the only Paul McGinley Academy in the world, founded in October 2011 by Europe’s 2014 Ryder Cup captain. With a strong involvement from McGinley himself, who is a regular visitor to the resort, the academy aims to cultivate and improve golfers’ play by providing them with the tools and techniques used on the professional Tours. The academy focuses especially on younger players, working in collaboration with local schools and is the perfect way to follow in the footsteps of the pros.
• TaylorMade Performance Center – Quinta do Lago’s TaylorMade Performance Centre is the only facility of its kind in Portugal and is located on the resort’s expansive driving range. Opened in May 2013, the centre is operated by trained TaylorMade technicians, offering golfers a custom-fitting experience testing hundreds of club and iron options, ensuring the best combination for every player’s swing. It also has a fully-equipped Tour standard workshop and utilises FlightScope X2 radar technology to measure the entire flight of the ball from impact to landing whilst displaying its 3D trajectory in real time.
  Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park and located just 15 minutes from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago offers residents and guests an unparalleled location benefiting from a year-round temperate climate, a variety of lifestyle pursuits and a strong sense of community.

For more information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, call + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com