Sir Nick Faldo has led winners at the World Golf Awards Gala Ceremony 2016, taking the prestigious title of Golf Course Designer of the Year.

Also celebrating was England’s The Belfry, recognised as Europe’s Best Golf Hotel, while Quinta do Lago took the title of Europe’s Best Golf Venue.

Hundreds of thousands of ballots were cast ahead of the Gala Ceremony, which was this year hosted by the Conrad Algarve in Portugal.

World Golf Awards managing director Christopher Frost said: “The third instalment of the World Golf Awards has been the most successful to date, welcoming industry leaders to the Algarve for a weekend of golf, networking opportunities and our fabulous Gala Ceremony.

“It has been an honour to recognise so many world-class organisations here this evening and I offer my sincere congratulations to all our winners.”

St Andrews Links - Old Course was also among the winners, successfully defending the titles of Europe’s Best Golf Course and World’s Best Golf Course which it won in 2015.

A duo of unique awards were also presented at the event, with Richard Tessel, chief executive of easyGolf Worldwide Australia, taking the title of World Golf Awards Travel Personality of the Year 2016.

At the same time golf trainer David Leadbetter was recognised with the World Golf Awards Lifetime Achievement Award 2016.

Event partner Quinta do Lago again offered World Golf Awards guests a chance to enjoy its three award-winning championship golf courses – the South Course, Laranjal and the North Course, which was co-designed by Beau Welling and European Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley.

Each has been expertly designed to complement its natural surroundings, while offering its own set of unique challenges.

World Golf Awards returned to Conrad Algarve, the most modern five-star hotel in Portugal, for the third time for the Gala Ceremony 2016.

The property is a uniquely styled luxury hotel, with everything from the guest rooms and private balconies, to the majestic spa and five individual restaurants offering flourishes of sophistication.

Take a look at the full list of winners here.