59club Europe has recognised the very best Venues, Teams, and Individuals for their dedication to customer service excellence, in a lavish awards event hosted at Camiral Golf & Wellness in Spain on March 14th, 2024, with many of the leading Resorts and Clubs from across Europe attending, all with the aspiration of claiming a prestigious service excellence award.
59club’s industry accolades are determined by scores collected from their impartial mystery shopping audits, which evaluates the experience afforded to patrons all in accordance with 59club’s objective benchmarking criteria.
On the evening 15 awards were presented to the Individuals, Managers and Teams responsible for delivering the very best one-off experience across the three divisions serving 59club Europe (namely, Nordic, West & South).
A further 5 main award titles collectively recognised 59club Europe’s finest Customer Service Providers for maintaining elite levels of service excellence throughout 2023, before the presentation of 59club’s iconic Flag designations took centre stage.
Lee Mathew Waggott, General Manager of 59club Europe South, commented;
“It has been an honour to recognise the dedication, passion, and hard work demonstrated by our leading individuals and teams throughout the year. Being nominated for an award is a remarkable achievement; all winners should take immense pride in their accomplishments.
“We are thrilled to have hosted such a fantastic event at the beautiful Camiral Golf & Wellness, and its credit to our long-standing Signature Partners – Club Car & Golf Genius that we were able to host our European Service Excellence Awards on Spanish soil for the first time. I’d also like to thank Asbri, Albatross & Tagmarshal who also supported this year’s event, it’s the first of many to come, as we eagerly anticipate hosting the next edition in 2025.”
In the main European arena, Finca Cortesin emerged as the big winner, securing accolades for both Golf Operations Team of the Year and Golf Manager of the Year, claimed by Rocio Sanchez. Notably, this marked the second consecutive year that Finca Cortesin has triumphed in these categories.
Staying with the main European titles, Golf de Servanes saw Jean Badea named European Food & Beverage Manager of the Year, with Lionel Gardes-Bus from Golf de Terre Blanche awarded European Retail Manager of the Year.
Finally, Borja Azpilicueta from Club de Golf Alcanada in Mallorca joined the European winners when he was crowned 59club’s European Greenkeeper of the Year.
The evening also celebrated regional individual moments of service excellence across the customer journey, with winners recognized in various categories.
Shining a light on 59club Nordic, The Scandinavian enjoyed their share of the celebrations having bagged two regional awards after being named Nordic’s Leading Individual Golf Operations Team & Leading Individual Golf Experience.
Esbjerg Golfklub was victorious for delivering Nordic’s Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation, with Aalborg Golf Klub claiming Nordic’s Leading Individual Retail Experience award, and finally Estonian Golf & Country Club won Nordic’s Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience award.
Heading over the border, the properties within Europe West’s region were next to celebrate with Golf de Terre Blanche enjoying a double helping of crystalware having been crowned Europe West’s Leading Individual Golf Operations Team & Leading Individual Golf Experience.
Staying with Europe West, their Individual Food & Beverage Experience award was presented to Golf du Grand Avignon. The Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation accolade went to Golf d’Arcachon and two winners shared the title to been named Europe West’s Leading Individual Retail Experience, they were Golf de Lyon Salvagny & Golf de Servanes.
Finally, Europe South enjoyed their time in the spotlight, and celebrated another double winner, after Antalya Golf Club was awarded Europe South’s Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience & Leading Individual Golf Operations Team.
Club de Golf Alcanada celebrated being named Europe South’s Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation, and the region’s Leading Individual Golf Experience was presented to Finca Cortesin. Excitement grew when Europe South welcomed joint winners in our host venue Camiral Golf & Wellness & Quinta do Lago who share the regions Leading Individual Retail Experience award.
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. The full list of winners can be found below:
59CLUB EUROPE ‘SERVICE EXCELLENCE’ AWARD WINNERS (in alphabetical order):
Food & Beverage Manager of the Year: Jean BADEA (Golf de Servanes)
Retail Manager of the Year: Lionel GARDES-BUS (Terre Blanche)
Greenkeeper of the Year: Borja AZPILICUETA (Club de Golf Alcanada)
Golf Operations Team of the Year: Finca Cortesin
Golf Manager of the Year: Rocio SANCHEZ (Finca Cortesin)
59club Leading Individual Experience Award – Regional Winners (in alphabetical order):
Europe South – Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience:
Antalya Golf Club
Europe South – Leading Individual Retail Experience:
Camiral Golf & Wellness & Quinta do Lago
Europe South – Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation:
Club de Golf Alcanada
Europe South – Leading Individual Golf Operations Team:
Antalya Golf Club
Europe South – Leading Individual Golf Experience:
Finca Cortesin
Europe West – Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience:
Golf du Grand Avignon
Europe West – Leading Individual Retail Experience:
Golf de Lyon Salvagny & Golf de Servanes
Europe West – Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation:
Golf d’Arcachon
Europe West – Leading Individual Golf Operations Team:
Terre Blanche
Europe West – Leading Individual Golf Experience:
Terre Blanche
Europe Nordic – Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience:
Estonian Golf & Country Club
Europe Nordic – Leading Individual Retail Experience:
Aalborg Golf Klub
Europe Nordic – Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation:
Esbjerg Golfklub
Europe Nordic – Leading Individual Golf Operations Team:
The Scandinavian
Europe Nordic – Leading Individual Golf Experience:
The Scandinavian
59CLUB EUROPE FLAG DESIGNATIONS
(in alphabetical order):
BRONZE FLAG DESINATION : Aalborg Golf Klub, Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, Københavns Golf Klub, Golf du Touquet, Golf d’Hardelot, Golf de Seignosse, Golf d’Opio Valbonne, Golf de Servanes, Golf de Roquebrune, Pula Golf Resort, Son Quint & Son Vida.
SILVER FLAG DESINATION: Aphrodite Hills, Esbjerg Golfklub, Golf de Andratx, INFINITUM, La Hacienda, Le Golf National & Pickala Golf.
GOLD FLAG DESINATION: Camiral Golf & Wellness, Club de Golf Alcanada, Costa Navarino, Finca Cortesin, Golf de Terre Blanche, Quinta do Lago, Royal Park I Roveri & Son Muntaner.