More than two hundred of the finest Venues, Teams and Individuals from many of the leading Resorts and Clubs across the UK and Ireland came together, as 59club UK recognised their very best customer service providers of 2023. As the 14th annual celebration of service excellence, descended on the iconic Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on February 29th, 2024.
59club’s prestigious accolades are determined by scores collected from their impartial mystery shopping audits, which evaluates the experience afforded to Guests, Club Members and Prospective Members all in accordance with 59club’s objective benchmarking criteria.
With awards spanning 18 categories, that recognise service excellence across all areas of the hospitality business – including management, sales, service, operations, retail, spa, golf course, plus food and beverage – 59club continue to honour the very best performances regardless of venue size, scale and profile, by segmenting the main individual accolades into 3 categories based on a venues average green fee rate.
Will Hewitt, General Manager of 59club UK, commented; “There are many factors which impact the ability to deliver great service consistently, and it is therefore essential that we celebrate those who go above and beyond to look after their Members and Guests. It is hugely satisfying to see a number of first-time award winners and nominees, but I also have deep admiration for the venues and individuals whose names are up in lights year after year, clearly illustrating their passion and commitment for what they do.”
The flag was flying high for Ireland after both Ballybunion and Mount Juliet collected the coveted and highest prized title of the evening; namely the “Ultimate Member Club” and “Ultimate Resort” of the year respectively, with Eddie Devane adding to Mount Juliet’s success after being named one of the Food and Beverage Managers of the Year.
Multiple winner: The Belfry, saw Chris Reeve named Golf Manager of the Year, Angus Macleod, Greenkeeper of the Year, and Chris Rippon made it a hattrick for the resort when he collected the Leading Golf Sales Experience award.
Branston Golf and Country Club enjoyed a double-dose of celebrations after both their Leisure Membership Team & Golf Membership of the Year claimed the Team of the year crystalware.
Jack Heginbotham and Glenn McNaughton both of Long Ashton Golf Club claimed the Golf Retail Manager and Food and Beverage Manager of the Year award respectively – Glenn retaining his crown for an incredible 5th consecutive year.
Meanwhile, Ian Orrell and his team at Wychwood Park were also celebrating after winning Golf Manager and Golf Operations Team of the Year.
Special mention must be reserved for Matt Aplin, Golf Course Manager at Goring and Streatley, who fought off incredibly fierce competition to be named a Greenkeeper of the year for an astounding 6th consecutive year.
The ceremony culminated with the presentation of 59club’s Gold, Silver & Bronze Flag Designations – The ultimate recognition for clubs & resorts who strive to deliver the best facilities and service offering to their Members and Guests.
In addition to 59club’s UK & IRE Awards Event, the global Customer Service Management Specialists, will host six additional ceremonies during 2024 – which started in the UK, before heading off to Europe, MEA, Asia, USA and Canada, before finally finishing their annual celebrations in Australia – as 59club continue uniting the world of golf & hospitality around their commitment to deliver customer service excellence.
A full list of award winners from the 2024 Service Excellence Awards are featured below:
Leading Spa Experience: Eden Hall
Leading Individual Corporate Golf Day Sales Performance: Chris Rippon (The Belfry Resort)
Leading Individual Golf Membership Sales Performance: Pamela Neeson & Hamish Mills (Cameron House)
Golf Membership Sales Team of the Year: Branston G&CC
Leading Individual Golf Sales Performance: Brad Cannings (Macdonald Hotels)
Leading Individual Leisure Membership Sales Performance: Becky Chard (The Vale Resort)
Leisure Membership Sales Team of the Year: Branston G&CC
Food & Beverage Manager of the Year
Green Fee Over £131: Eddie Devane (Mount Juliet Estate)
Green Fee £130 – £61: Danielle Jones (Newport GC)
Green Fee £60 & Under: Glenn McNaughton (Long Ashton GC)
Golf Retail Manager of the Year
Green Fee Over £131: Simon Hilliard (The London Club)
Green Fee £130 – £61: Andrew Crerar (Panmure GC)
Green Fee £60 & Under: Jack Heginbotham (Long Ashton GC)
Greenkeeper of the Year
Green Fee Over £131: Angus Macleod (Belfry – Brabazon course)
Green Fee £130 – £61: Mike Bush (St Mellion Estate)
Green Fee £60 & Under: Matt Aplin (Goring & Streatley GC)
Golf Operations Team of the Year
Green Fee Over £131: JCB Golf & Country Club
Green Fee £130 – £61: Golf at Goodwood
Green Fee £60 & Under: Wychwood Park
Golf Manager of the Year
Green Fee Over £131: Brad Gould (The Grove)
Green Fee £130 – £61: Chris Reeve (The Belfry Hotel & Resort – PGA National)
Green Fee £60 & Under: Ian Orrell (Wychwood Park)
Bronze Flag Resort 2024
Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa; Macdonald Spey Valley Resort; The Vale Resort
Silver Flag Resort 2024
Barnham Broom; Belton Woods Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort; Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort; Cameron House; Carton House; China Fleet; Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort; Slieve Russell; St Mellion Estate; The K Club; Wychwood Park
Gold Flag Resort 2024
Fairmont St Andrews; Foxhills Club & Resort; Gleneagles; Mount Juliet Estate; Rockliffe Hall; The Belfry Hotel & Resort; The Grove; The Mere Resort & Spa
Bronze Flag Members Club 2024
Goring & Streatley Golf Club; Goswick Golf Club; North Foreland Golf Club; Richmond Golf Club; Royal St David’s Golf Club; Teignmouth Golf Club; The Astbury; Vale Royal Abbey Golf Club
Silver Flag Members Club 2024
Branston Golf & Country Club; Clevedon Golf Club; East Herts Golf Club; Filton Golf Club; Harpenden Golf Club; Hickleton Golf Club; Hollinwell; Ladybank Golf Club; La Moye Golf Club; Moor Park Golf Club; Redditch Golf Club; Stanton on the Wolds Golf Club; Woodsome Hall Golf Club
Gold Flag Members Club 2024
Ballybunion Golf Club; Conwy Golf Club; County Louth Golf Club; Crail Golfing Society; Dunbar Golf Club; Edgbaston Golf Club; Frilford Heath Golf Club; Golf At Goodwood; Gullane Golf Club; Hanbury Manor, Marriott Hotel & Country Club; JCB Golf & Country Club; Long Ashton Golf Club; Newport Golf Club; Panmure Golf Club; Royal Dornoch Golf Club; Royal Dublin Golf Club; The London Club; The Royal Automobile Club
