Month: January 2026

We are delighted to announce the nominations for our upcoming Service Excellence Awards Ceremony, taking place at The Hampton Social, Orlando on January 22, 2026. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted!

Several of the USA’s finest Management Companies will see their affiliate clubs nominated for a 59club Service Excellence Award, each having displayed some of the finest customer experiences during our mystery shopper audits over the past 12 months, with Cabot Managed Properties, Escalante Golf, Evergreen Golf Partners, Founders Group International, KemperSports, Kohler, Landscapes Golf Management, Omni Hotels & Resorts, TPC and Troon all vying for accolades.

Independent Clubs that include Blackhawk Country Club, Reynolds Lake Oconee and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club are all also featured in the nominations list, each having delivered the highest standard of customer service throughout 2025.

During the ceremony, our renowned industry benchmark – the 59club Bronze, Silver, and Gold Flag Designations – will also be presented to the USA Properties that not only achieved the required standard of service as part of 59club’s mystery shopping program, but also provide excellent facilities for customers to enjoy.

Commenting on the announcement, Mark Reed, 59club Co-Founder & Director said, “We are proud to celebrate the exceptional Club Managers, Teams, and Properties nominated for a 59club Award. Your dedication to raising the bar in customer service is inspiring and clearly sets you apart in a highly competitive industry.

“The continued adoption of our sales and service philosophy across Partner Properties is having a powerful impact, driving measurable improvements and an impressive evolution of service standards throughout the USA.”

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(Properties listed in alphabetical order)

Food & Beverage Manager of the Year

Blackwolf Run, Cascata Golf Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, Reynolds Lake Oconee, The River Club, TPC Myrtle Beach, Whistling Straits

Retail Manager of the Year

Blackwolf Run, Burning Ridge Golf Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Founders Club at Pawleys Island, Grande Dunes Golf Club, Myrtle Beach National, Randolph Dell Urich Golf Course, The River Club

Superintendent of the Year

Blackwolf Run, Chariot Run, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Reynolds Lake Oconee, The River Club, TPC Sawgrass, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Whistling Straits

Golf Operations Team of the Year

Blackwolf Run, Cascata Golf Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Myrtle Beach National, The River Club, TPC Myrtle Beach, TPC Sawgrass, Wild Wing Plantation

Golf/Club Manager of the Year

Blackwolf Run, Cascata Golf Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Serket, The River Club, TPC Myrtle Beach, TPC Sawgrass, Whistling Straits

Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation

Desert Willow Golf Resort, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Reynolds Lake Oconee – The Landing, Reynolds Lake Oconee – The Preserve, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Whistling Straits – Straits

Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience

Blackwolf Run, Chariot Run, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club, River Hills Golf Club, The Governors Club, The Omni Grove Park Inn, Whistling Straits

Leading Individual Golf Visit Experience

Blackwolf Run – Meadow Valleys, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Lake of Isles, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Omni PGA Frisco Resort, The River Club, TPC Sawgrass – Stadium, Whistling Straits – Irish

Leading Individual Golf Membership Sales Performance

Blackhawk Country Club, Blackthorn Club, Omni PGA Frisco Resort, Royal Melbourne Country Club, TPC Boston, TPC Potomac, TPC River Highlands, TPC Sawgrass

Leading Individual Group Golf Day Sales Performance

TPC Boston, TPC Potomac, TPC Sawgrass, TPC Sugarloaf, TPC Summerlin, TPC Twin Cities

Leading Individual Event Sales Performance

The Lexington Golf & Country Club, TPC Southwind, TPC Sugarloaf, TPC Summerlin, TPC Twin Cities

Most Improved Golf Visit Experience

Baylands Golf Links, Blackwolf Run – Meadows Valley, Burning Ridge Golf Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort, Lake of Isles, Myrtlewood Golf Club – Pinehills, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, River Hills Golf Club

Most Improved Sales Performance

Dakota Dunes Country Club, Pinecrest Golf Club, Prairie Green Golf Course, The Lexington Golf & Country Club, TPC Deere Run, TPC Sawgrass, TPC Southwind, TPC Summerlin

My59 Service Excellence Award

Reynolds Lake Oconee, The Club at Golden Valley, The Old Club, TPC San Antonio, Vanderbilt Country Club

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In addition to 59club’s USA Awards Event, the global Customer Service Management Specialists will host six additional ceremonies during 2026 – starting in Canada, before heading off to Europe, the UK, the MEA, Asia, and finally finishing in Australia – as 59club continues uniting the world of golf & hospitality around their commitment to deliver customer service excellence. We look forward to celebrating with you soon!

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About the Awards

• 59club’s Annual Awards Ceremony recognizes the outstanding venues and teams within the global golf & hospitality industry for having achieved the highest standards of customer service excellence & sales performance.
  
• Qualification for these prestigious accolades is unbiased and determined by scores achieved through a detailed and objective mystery shopping program, which measures the experience afforded to members, guests, prospective members, and prospective event clients across golf and hospitality.
  
• With an ever-expanding and diverse range of venues, 59club USA continues to reflect the absolute best performances regardless of a venue’s size, scale, or profile.
  
• 59club’s Industry Benchmark of Excellence, it’s Gold, Silver and Bronze Flag Designations are also awarded annually, these highly prized accolades recognize member clubs and resorts that provide excellent facilities for golfers to enjoy, as well as having achieved the required standard of customer service throughout the year.

View 2024 Award Winners Here

View 2023 Award Winners Here

59club is delighted to announce the appointment of Joe Gates as General Manager of 59club’s Middle East & Africa (MEA) division, reinforcing the company’s commitment to elevating service, sales, and compliance standards across golf, leisure, hospitality, and education sectors throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Joe joins 59club MEA with over 20 years of international leadership experience spanning golf, leisure, and luxury hospitality, having held senior roles with some of the industry’s most respected brands including Jumeirah Group, David Lloyd, and The Mere Golf Resort & Spa. His extensive career has been defined by operational excellence, team development, and a proven ability to enhance guest engagement and commercial performance.

Following a comprehensive international search supported by Global Talent Solutions, 59club was presented with a selection of outstanding candidates. Joe emerged as the ideal fit for the role, bringing together deep sector expertise, regional understanding, and a values-led approach to leadership that aligns seamlessly with 59club’s vision.

During his tenure as Director of Golf at The Mere, Joe played a pivotal role in establishing one of the North of England’s most successful independent resorts. Under his leadership, teams were consistently benchmarked, trained, and developed using 59club’s mystery shopper program, giving Joe firsthand insight into the transformative impact of performance measurement on service delivery and business growth. This early partnership with 59club shaped his long-standing appreciation for data-driven improvement and the power of consistent service standards.

Now based in Dubai, Joe leads 59club’s expanding operations across the Middle East and Africa, supporting clubs, resorts, hospitality groups, educational institutions, and leisure venues in achieving world-class service and operational excellence. His strategic background, deep regional understanding, and passion for empowering teams will play a central role in strengthening 59club’s presence and partnerships across diverse markets.

“Joining 59club MEA is a full-circle moment for me,” said Joe Gates, General Manager.
“Having been a 59club client earlier in my career, I experienced how powerful their tools and insights are in shaping service culture, guest satisfaction, and commercial performance. I’m excited to now be on the other side – supporting venues across this dynamic region to achieve meaningful, measurable, and long-term improvements.”

Joe is committed to positioning 59club as the benchmark for service excellence across the MEA region, helping partners elevate guest experience, strengthen employee engagement, and drive sustainable commercial results through structured benchmarking, tailored training, and continuous support.

Simon Wordsworth, 59club Founder & CEO, welcomed the appointment:
“Joe’s international experience, operational expertise, and genuine passion for service excellence make him an outstanding leader for the region as we continue expanding our reach across the Middle East and Africa, supporting our clients in delivering exceptional and consistent experiences that define industry best practice.”