Vale do Lobo, Portugal’s largest luxury resort, has been voted as the “Company of the Year” by the Portuguese Golf Federation, chosen as the organisation that has contributed the most to the development of golf in Portugal in 2002. Vale do Lobo has also celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2002 and currently receives over 700,000 visitors per year.
The honour was announced when Sander van Gelder, chairman of the Vale do Lobo group of companies was presented with the trophy by Dr. Herminào Loureiro, Portugal’s secretary of state for youth and sports at the Federation’s annual dinner held in Lisbon.
Vale do Lobo hosted the Portuguese Open in 2002 and has just been announced to hold it again in 2003. The tournament, a prestigious event on the PGA European Tour is televised reaching more than 25 countries and attracts golfing fans from all over Europe. Vale do Lobo also supported the European Amateur Championship held in Portugal this year, and Project Drive, the successful youth golf initiative launched by the Portuguese Golf Federation. The resort is very committed to youth golf, having set up its own junior golf academy which provides free professional coaching to local school children from Almancil.
On receiving the award Mr van Gelder said, “It is a great honour and a joy that Vale do Lobo has been recognised by the Portuguese Golf Federation. We enjoyed hosting the Algarve Portuguese Open this year and we are very much looking forward to bringing it back to Vale do Lobo next year. We hope that our commitment to golf in Portugal will continue to bring pleasure to many and help widen the interest and support for the game.”
Vale do Lobo is no stranger to winning awards with an impressive collection to date including: The AHETA (Algarve Hotels and Touristic Developments Association) Gold Medal for an outstanding contribution to tourism in Portugal, Silver Medal of Merit awarded by the Portuguese Government amongst others.
For more information about golf in Vale do Lobo please contact the Golf Reception on Tel: +351 289 353465 Fax: +351 289 353 003 or email golf@vdl.pt
Vale do Lobo www.valedolobo.com