Time for a tee break? | Incentive & Motivation

Europe’s 2012 Ryder Cup win over the US capped what was a memorable year in sporting history. Executive Golf, one of the UK’s leading providers of personalised golf packages, believes the feelgood factor of the Ryder Cup has encouraged a new enthusiasm for corporate golf and is expecting more businesses and incentive groups to rekindle their love of doing business on the golf course.

Craig Jones, director, Executive Golf, says: “The Ryder Cup was one of the best sporting events of 2012 and is expected to result in more businesses hosting corporate golf events over the next year. Its drama showed how exciting the game can be when played in a team format and we believe it will encourage more businesses to host their own corporate golf events, whether to reward staff or strengthen business relationships.”

When looking to stage a corporate golf event it’s perhaps not surprising to learn that the Algarve remains the most popular destination, with its mild year-round climate, high number of courses and top-class facilities.

Jones adds: “The Algarve is a great place to host a corporate golf event. With direct flights to Faro from nearly all airports across the UK, it’s easily accessible for short breaks, and can be cheaper than hosting an event at UK resorts. Corporate golf events should always be entertaining and memorable and the Algarve is a great destination to help enhance your corporate image.”

Located only a short distance from the popular resort of Vilamoura, the Quinta do Lago resort is a highlight of this area and is renowned as being one of Europe’s premier golf resorts. The resort is home to three championship golf courses, which consistently rank in Europe’s 25 best course layouts – the North Course, South Course and the newly developed Laranjal.

The most famous of the three courses is perhaps the South Course, which has hosted the Portuguese Open eight times. The course is surrounded by umbrella pines, lakes and wild vegetation with the Ria Formosa National Park providing a backdrop.
The Laranjal course, which opened three years ago, is viewed as the best new course to emerge in the Algarve in recent years and was voted as the Best Golf Course at the 2011 Portuguese Travel Awards. Originally an orange grove, it boasts five lakes and spectacular fairways, which require high levels of concentration but provide a world-class golfing experience.

Elsewhere, the Royal Course at Vale do Lobo is a remarkable championship course, set amid pine trees and lakes. It offers players of all abilities an unforgettable golf experience. Its features include the almost island green of the ninth and the 16th hole, with cliff-top carry over.

But golf in the Algarve isn’t centred solely around the central Vilamoura area, as there are plenty of superb alternatives over towards the East, past the charming riverside town of Tavira, including Monte Rei. Meanwhile, heading west towards Albufeira, there are the Oceanico group courses that include the Faldo Course and O’Connor.

Executive Golf provides customers with the opportunity to play the finest golf courses in the region and experience the very best accommodation provided in luxury five-star villas and hotels.

Businesses looking to host an event in the Algarve can design a tailor-made private or corporate trip with Executive Golf to meet their specific requirements and budget. Alternatively, companies looking to experience the thrill of competition can enter a team to play in the Executive Golf Pro-Am from 26-30 September, which features rounds at Vale do Lobo Royal, Quinta do Lago South and Laranjal, plus PGA coaching and a private villa for each team at the five-star Palmyra resort.

Jones says: “Golf is the perfect choice for a corporate event as it incorporates skill and teamwork. The Algarve is a haven for golf enthusiasts and remains Europe’s leading destination for a corporate golf event.”

Visit www.executive-golf.co.uk or call 0800 756 7735.