Founded in 2008 by PGA Master Manager Simon Wordsworth, 59club has grown into a global leader in performance management, supporting over 1200 Golf & Leisure Clubs, Spa’s, Hotels, Retail establishments and F&B outlets worldwide. Their team includes Directors and PGA Members Mark Reed, Matt Roberts, Andy Etherington, and a network of regional managers. Together, they help venues improve customer satisfaction, sales performance, and staff development.
59club’s expertise is demonstrated through services such as satisfaction surveys, mystery shopper audits, financial comparison tools, and employee training. Underpinned by its “Measure. Train. Support.” philosophy, this integrated approach ensures venues gain a clear understanding of their performance, are equipped to develop their teams and are continuously supported to improve. By benchmarking against both industry averages and ‘podium’ data – drawn from the world’s highest-performing properties – venues can track where they stand and are guided towards sustained progression.
Excellence is recognised through 59club’s Annual Regional Service Excellence Awards, where venues are awarded bronze, silver, and gold flag designations alongside individual and team accolade. This culminates in a Global Awards Ceremony, bringing together regional champions to reveal the prestigious Signature Collection, Global Managers of the Year, and those venues and leaders that achieve Eminent Collection status.
Over the past 15 years, 59club has become a trusted partner for The PGA, sharing a vision of excellence within golf club management. They continue to provide PGA Members with educational opportunities and insights to enhance their performance, customer experience and operational efficiency.
Duncan Rougvie, Head of Commercial at The PGA, said: “We’re excited to be renewing our partnership with 59club, a relationship that still feels as progressive and aligned today as it did on day one.
“Founded by PGA Members, their deep understanding of golf operations runs through everything they do, and that credibility really matters to our network. As we continue to expand our portfolio of PGA Branded Properties globally, working with the 59Club ensures those venues are supported to deliver a true gold standard of service and performance.
“Beyond that, the value they bring to our wider membership through education, insight and collaboration is second to none, whether through shared content, events or hands-on development. It’s a partnership built on raising standards, and one we’re proud to be continuing."
Matthew Voyle, General Manager at Bowood – one of many of 59club’s clients and a PGA Golf Course and Academy – added: “Working with 59club has been a game-changer for how we run the resort day-to-day.
“The feedback is honest and straightforward, highlighting both our strengths and areas where we can improve. While it’s not always easy to hear, it’s exactly what drives us to improve.
“What’s made the biggest difference is the impact on our team. The feedback is so clear and actionable that it’s easy for everyone across departments to take ownership. This has been especially helpful in areas like the booking journey and hotel service, where those touchpoints fall outside the golf operation but still play a huge role in the overall guest experience. It’s helped us deliver a more consistent, cohesive experience across the entire resort.”
For PGA Members, 59club offers access to leading surveys and mystery shopper audits that provide detailed service performance analysis. Members can also take advantage of various professional development opportunities, including masterclasses, educational content in PGA Monthly, digital resources via PGA Learn and recognition through the Annual Service Excellence Awards.
PGA Branded Properties benefit from up to four mystery shop visits per year, alongside tailored analysis to identify areas for improvement. Bespoke staff training and access to 59club Mentor – an online training and asset management portal – helping properties enhance customer satisfaction and performance, supporting them in maintaining their PGA Branded Property status.
Simon Wordsworth, Founder and CEO of 59club concluded: “We’re proud to continue our partnership with The PGA, built on a shared commitment to raising service standards across the golf industry.
“From supporting PGA Branded Properties to delivering insight, benchmarking, and education for PGA Professionals, this collaboration continues to evolve with the modern game.
“Today’s PGA Professional is taking on broader, more commercially focused roles, and our mystery shopping programmes, satisfaction surveys, and performance tools provide the support they need to thrive.
“We’re also delighted to have The PGA fully behind our global intern initiative, uniting clubs worldwide with top level talent and to accelerate the education, development and real-world business experience of the next generation of PGA Professionals.”
Exclusive Offer for PGA Members
As part of the renewed partnership, a limited number of PGA Members will have the opportunity to access a complimentary 59club Mystery Shopper audit. Designed to provide detailed insight into service delivery and commercial performance, the audit supports PGA Members in identifying strengths, opportunities and areas for development. Each audit is tailored to the individual business, covering areas such as retail, coaching, custom fitting, visitor experience, membership sales and food and beverage performance.
Availability is limited to the first 15 PGA Members.
Secure your complimentary audit today by contacting your regional 59club manager here. Limited to 15 PGA Members.
