First-Ever 59club Global Service Excellence Awards Celebrate World’s Best in Golf and Hospitality
The Belfry Hotel & Resort played host to a historic milestone this summer as the inaugural 59club Global Service Excellence Awards brought together leading venues and professionals from across the golf, leisure and hospitality sectors.
The three-day event, staged from 25–27 August 2025, set a new benchmark for customer service recognition in the global industry.
Landmark Celebration at The Belfry Hotel & Resort
The awards welcomed 300 guests representing 120 venues from 22 countries, underscoring the international reach of the celebration.
Backed by global partners including Turtleson, Pacesetter Technology, Power Tee, Zen Golf, and others, the gathering combined competitive golf, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and the much-anticipated awards ceremony.
All honours were determined solely through 59club’s independent mystery shopper programme — widely regarded as the most objective measure of customer service and sales standards worldwide.
59clubSimon Wordsworth, 59club Founder & CEO, reflected on the significance of the occasion:
“This landmark gathering not only celebrated the finest achievements in hospitality and club management, but also set a new global benchmark for excellence in customer service – celebrating the world’s best, today, tomorrow, and for years to come.”
Award Winners and Signature Collection Honoured
Among the standout accolades, Steven Young of Fairmont Banff Springs (Canada) was named Global Golf Manager of the Year, while Mike Bush of St Mellion Estate (England) collected Superintendent of the Year. Other winners included:
- Franco Botha, Jumeirah Golf Estates (Dubai) – Golf Operations Manager of the Year
- Dyootiman Pal, eGolf Megastore – Al Hamra Golf Club (Ras Al Khaimah) – Retail Manager of the Year
- Jade Henderson, The Lakes Golf Club (Australia) – Food & Beverage Manager of the Year
The launch of the Signature Collection further elevated proceedings, recognising the top 25 venues worldwide for delivering exceptional standards of service.
Honourees included JCB Golf & Country Club, The Grove, Finca Cortesin, Ballybunion, Costa Navarino, The Belfry, Gleneagles and Emirates Golf Club, among others — spanning private clubs, destination resorts and semi-private facilities.
Eminent Collection Recognises Sustained Excellence
Reserved for those who have demonstrated service excellence for five consecutive years or more, the Eminent Collection remains one of 59club’s most prestigious accolades.
Seven new leaders were welcomed in 2025, including Carmen Laguna Aguilar (Son Muntaner, Spain) and Gary Johnson (The Mere, England).
On the property side, Gullane Golf Club (Scotland) and Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club (England) joined an elite list that already includes Rockliffe Hall, Foxhills, The Celtic Manor Resort, Gleneagles, and Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
By recognising both outstanding individual leaders and world-class venues, the first 59club Global Service Excellence Awards underlined the growing importance of customer service in shaping the modern golf and hospitality experience — and set a precedent for future celebrations.
