59club Announces Winners of First-Ever Global Service Excellence Awards
~ Winners from 22 countries named at hospitality’s global benchmark awards ~
For over a decade, 59club has set the standard for measuring and rewarding customer service excellence across the golf, leisure, and hospitality industries. In 2025, the journey reached a historic milestone with the launch of the first-ever Global Service Excellence Awards - a landmark celebration that brought together the world’s finest-performing properties and industry leaders under one roof.
Hosted at the iconic Belfry Hotel & Resort from August 25–27, the event welcomed 300 distinguished guests representing 120 venues across 22 countries, creating a truly global gathering of excellence. Proudly supported by global partners in Turtleson, Pacesetter Technology, Global Talent Solutions, Power Tee, Zen Golf, Banbury Litho, Caddy Clubhouse and Studio Graphene along with our Global Awards Event Partners, the three-day experience combined competitive golf, world-class education, invaluable networking, and the much-anticipated awards ceremony.
All accolades were determined solely through 59club’s independent mystery shopper program - the most trusted and objective global measure of sales, service etiquette, and customer experience. Every honor bestowed was a true reflection of operational brilliance and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
The celebrations opened with the presentation of the Global Manager of the Year Awards, spotlighting the industry’s most visionary leaders. These individuals exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, passion, and innovation, inspiring their teams and setting a global benchmark for service excellence.
- Global Golf Manager of the Year: Steven Young, Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club (Canada)
- Global Golf Operations Manager of the Year: Franco Botha, Jumeirah Golf Estates (UAE)
- Global Retail Manager of the Year: eGolf Megastore - Al Hamra Golf Club (UAE)
- Global Superintendent of the Year: Mike Bush, St Mellion Estate (England)
- Global Food & Beverage Manager of the Year: Jade Henderson, The Lakes Golf Club (Australia)
The launch of the Signature Collection marked a milestone for 25 of the world’s most distinguished properties. Each venue stands as a symbol of world-class excellence, showcasing the highest standards of service across every customer touchpoint. Organized by market, the Collection reflects the diversity of the global industry, and highlights Private Clubs in The Dutch (Netherlands), JCB Golf & Country Club (England), Cataraqui Golf & Country Club (Canada), Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club (Canada) The Royal Automobile Club (England), Commercial and Semi-Private Clubs in The Els Club, Dubai, (UAE) Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (UAE), Abu Dhabi City Golf Club (UAE) Dubai Hills Golf Club (UAE) and Yas Links Abu Dhabi (UAE). Commercial and Semi-Private sector in Jumeirah Golf Estates (UAE), Emirates Golf Club (UAE), Ballybunion Golf Club (Ireland), Gullane Golf Club (Scotland) and Golf At Goodwood (England). Destination Clubs in The Grove (England), Mount Juliet Estate (Ireland), Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (UAE), Finca Cortesin (Spain) and Rockliffe Hall (England). Multi-Course Destination Clubs in Costa Navarino (Greece), Gleneagles (Scotland), The Belfry Hotel and Resort (England), Fairmont St Andrews (Scotland) and Foxhills Club & Resort (England) all welcomed into the Signature Collection.
The Eminent Collection stands as one of 59club’s most prestigious accolades, awarded only to properties and leaders who have demonstrated sustained excellence for at least five consecutive years. This rare honor is reserved for those who have not only reached the pinnacle of customer service but have maintained it with consistency and distinction - a remarkable achievement in the global hospitality arena.
Seven new Leaders were inducted into the collection, namely; Carmen Laguna Aguilar (Son Muntaner - Spain), Eddie Devane (Mount Juliet Estate - Ireland), Gary Johnson (The Mere Golf Resort & Spa - England), Gordon Simpson (Gullane Golf Club - Scotland), Joel Westwell (The Grove - England), Mark Addison (JCB Golf & Country Club - England) and Matthew Perry (Emirates Golf Club - UAE).
The roll call for 2025 Eminent Collection of Properties welcomed two newcomers in Gullane Golf Club (Scotland) and Hanbury Manor, Marriott Hotel & Country Club (England) who joined the existing properties retaining their status; Club de Golf Alcanada (Spain), Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (UAE), Emirates Golf Club (UAE), Foxhills Club & Resort (England), Frilford Heath (England), Gleneagles (Scotland), Son Muntaner (Spain), Jumeirah Golf Estates (UAE), Mount Juliet Estate (Ireland), Rockliffe Hall (England), Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (UAE), The Belfry Hotel & Resort (England), The Celtic Manor Resort (Wales), The Els Club, Dubai (UAE), The Grove (England), The Mere Golf Resort & Spa (England) and Yas Links, Abu Dhabi (UAE).
Simon Wordsworth, 59club Founder & CEO, said:
“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.”
