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FEATURE
www.thegolfguide.co.uk
Interview with Mark Tupling, head of course maintenance at Quinta do Lago Quinta do Lago is one of the best and most recognized golf venues in Europe. What was the motivation for the €7 million improvement project? Due to the consistently high demand to play the South Course, we have been unable to carry out significant renovation projects over the years. The mandatory closure gave the resort a great opportunity to invest in the course and improve the surfaces and playing experience that we offer. The South Course has played an integral part in the history of the resort and holds a special place in the hearts of so many of our residents and guests. As an eight-time host of the Portuguese Open, it 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. One part of the project is to enhance players’ experiences? What in particular are you planning and how shall this enhance the already existing high experience? Aside from the improved playing surfaces, we have been able to create space adjacent to fairways. This has created stunning views through the course and will also improve playability and speed of play. All 48 bunkers on the course have been trimmed to their original size, with new drainage and sand added and compacted, while several bunkers within the pine tree canopy have been adjusted to give access to the green and two bunkers
relocated to favour the modern game. In addition, the lakes on the third and 17th holes have been upgraded with new retaining walls to give a sharp, modern look consistent with the other lakes on the course, and the 16th hole has been improved by bringing the lake into play behind the green, adding drama to the closing holes. How do you measure your guests’ experience? Do you use a regular feedback process, e.g. based on questionnaires? If yes: which tool do you apply, how often do you contact your guests and members? Making sure that we offer a high-quality experience and excellent customer service is very important to everyone at Quinta do Lago and we have a very close and open relationship with our members. The club is a second home to them and we share our goals with open feedback. We also take more formal feedback through mystery shoppers, and working with The 59Club helps tailor our training platforms so that we can keep ahead of the market. You are cooperating with the GEO foundation: are you applying their on course program or are you aiming at an official certification? Which pros and cons do you see with either just participating in the on course program or becoming GEO certified? We are currently following the OnCourse programme with a goal to become certified.
The GEO Foundation has the widest range of targets from the various sustainability platforms covering all three pillars; Economy, Environment, Community. This places the focus on all areas of our business to improve in this area and ultimately be recognised for the excellent work golf offers in society. I am an advocate for environmentally-responsible approaches to life and this is something I also aspire to uphold in the way I manage
