59club USA’s third annual Service Excellence Awards Event brought the golf and hospitality industry together to celebrate the nation’s finest service providers, as they recognized outstanding performances across customer service, sales, operations, and leadership.
These prestigious accolades are determined by scores collected through 59club’s mystery shopping program, which evaluates the entire experience afforded to visiting golfers, and the sales journey that unfolds as prospective clients inquire for club membership, group golf days and special events.
Celebrations unfolded for Reynolds Lake Oconee, as the club achieved their third consecutive 59club Gold Flag Accolade.
59club’s Bronze, Silver and Gold Flag Designations are presented to properties that not only achieved the required standard of customer service during their audits across 2025, but also provided excellent facilities for customers to enjoy.
Reynolds also retained the my59 Service Excellence Award, for their dedication when engaging with members and guests across 2025, having launched a multitude of diverse surveys, serving various revenue streams, utilizing 59club’s survey tools.
Success for KemperSports, as a defining year unfolded for Desert Willow Golf Resort, who enjoyed multiple accolades across departments. Desert Willow, managed by Derek White, achieved their first ever Gold Flag Designation, while Keith Sansone was crowned Food & Beverage Manager of the Year, Brian Lind secured Retail Manager of the Year, Ryan Szydlowski awarded Leading Individual Golf Visit Experience, and Chris Bien earned Superintendent of the Year across public courses, highlighting a truly holistic approach to service excellence.
Derek White, General Manager of Desert Willow Golf Resort commented:
“After achieving Silver status for two consecutive years, our team set a specific goal of earning the Gold Flag, so reaching that milestone has been incredibly rewarding. It reflects the pride, discipline, and consistency our managers and frontline teams bring to their roles every day. To then be recognized with awards across multiple facets of the industry, from golf operations and food and beverage to retail and course conditions is truly special and speaks to an organization-wide approach to service excellence. Qualifying for the Global Awards is an honor we share with our entire team as we represent KemperSports and Desert Willow Golf Resort on a global stage.”
The Superintendent of the Year category also celebrated Lane Singleton of Reynolds Lake Oconee within the private club sector, and Chris Zugel of Whistling Straits, managed by Kohler, across resort destinations, recognizing the critical role agronomy teams play in shaping the guest experience.
Kohler did not stop there, as two coveted Gold Flag Designations were awarded to world renowned Whistling Straits, and Blackwolf Run, affirming Kohler’s commitment to delivering service excellence.
Golf course presentation excellence was further highlighted, with Ryan Kreizenbeck of We-Ko-Pa Golf Club awarded for delivering the finest presented golf course, receiving Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation. We-Ko-Pa also achieved a Silver Flag Designation, as the club continues its strong tradition as one of America’s leading independent clubs.
Great leadership and teamwork were central themes at The River Club, managed by Escalante, where Chip Spiler led the Golf Operations Team of the Year, and Andy Deyo secured Club Manager of the Year.
General Manager of The River Club, Andy Deyo commented on the award:
“We are delighted to be able to share this award with our entire River Club team. To be able to uphold the core concepts driven by Escalante of clean operations, sharp execution and remarkable hospitality is indeed gratifying. We look forward to continued and sustained improvement through the partnership with 59club USA.”
Outstanding hospitality was recognized with Tony Madera of Chariot Run, receiving Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience for Cabot Managed Properties, who also enjoyed an additional two Silver Flags presented to Cascata Golf Club and Serket.
The TPC Network yet again saw their teams receive multiple wins, with Kayleigh Murphy of TPC River Highlands awarded Leading Individual Golf Membership Sales Performance for the third year in succession. Lisa Krueger of TPC Twin Cities secured both Leading Individual Group Golf Day Sales Performance and Leading Individual Event Sales Performance. Jasmine Middleton of TPC Summerlin was also revelling after sharing the Most Improved Sales Performance of 2025.
And the awards kept coming, as the iconic TPC Sawgrass was awarded a Gold Flag Designation, a first for the property, and across the TPC network. 59club’s industry benchmark Flag Designations did not stop there, as Myrtle Beach National, part of the Founders Group International was awarded a Bronze Flag Designation, while Springdale Resort achieved a Silver Flag.
Progress and momentum were rewarded with the Most Improved Golf Visit Experience presented to Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, led by Brian Mahoney, while Elena Correa of The Lexington Golf & Country Club, managed by Landscapes Golf Management shared the Most Improved Sales Performance accolade.
Reflecting on the event, Mark Reed, 59club’s Co-Founder and Managing Director, said, “As we celebrate our third year of Service Excellence Awards in the USA, it’s inspiring to see both sustained excellence and meaningful improvement across our affiliate properties. These winners represent the very best of our industry, and it’s a privilege to recognize their commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.”
The following managers and properties will represent USA at the 59club Global Awards in Portugal this November, where we will announce our Global Manager of the Year Awards that recognize the world’s most visionary leaders across: Golf Management, Operations, Retail, Agronomy, and Food & Beverage. Along with our Signature Collection, celebrating the best performing Gold Flag bearing venues worldwide for delivering the highest standards of service across every customer touchpoint. Venues are grouped by market segment – Private, Semi-Private, and Destination – to reflect the diversity of the global golf industry. And finally, the Eminent Collection, which honors Venues and Individuals who have not only achieved, but sustained, world-class service for a minimum of 5 years.
Leading Managers
Club Manager – Andy Deyo, The River Club
Retail Manager – Brian Lind, Desert Willow Golf Resort
Golf Operations Manager – Chip Spiler, The River Club
F&B Manager – Keith Sansone, Desert Willow Golf Resort
Golf Superintendents –
Chris Bien, Desert Willow Golf Resort (Public)
Chris Zugel, Whistling Staits (Resort Destination)
Lane Singleton, Reynolds Lake Oconee (Private)
Gold Flag Venues
Blackwolf Run
Desert Willow Golf Resort
Reynolds Lake Oconee
TPC Sawgrass
Whistling Straits
59club USA Service Excellence Award Winners 2025
Gold Flag Designation
Blackwolf Run (Kohler)
Desert Willow Golf Resort (KemperSports)
Reynolds Lake Oconee (Independent)
TPC Sawgrass (TPC Network)
Whistling Straits (Kohler)
Silver Flag Designations
Cascata Golf Club (Cabot Managed Properties)
Serket (Cabot Managed Properties)
Springdale Resort (Independent)
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Independent)
Bronze Flag Designations
Myrtle Beach National (Founders Group International)
Golf/Club Manager of the Year
Andy Deyo – The River Club (Escalante)
Golf Superintendents of the Year
Chris Bien – Desert Willow Golf Resort – Public (KemperSports)
Chris Zugel – Whistling Straits – Resort Destination (Kohler)
Lane Singleton – Reynolds Lake Oconee – Private (Independent)
Retail Manager of the Year
Brian Lind – Desert Willow Golf Resort (KemperSports)
Food & Beverage Manager of the Year
Keith Sansone – Desert Willow Golf Resort (KemperSports)
Golf Operations Team of the Year
Chip Spiler – The River Club (Escalante)
Leading Individual Golf Visit Experience
Ryan Szydlowski – Desert Willow Golf Resort (KemperSports)
Leading Individual Golf Course Presentation
Ryan Kreizenbeck – We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Independent)
Leading Individual Food & Beverage Experience
Tony Madera – Chariot Run (Cabot Managed Properties)
Leading Individual Event Sales Performance
Lisa Krueger – TPC Twin Cities (TPC Network)
Leading Individual Group Golf Day Sales Performance
Lisa Krueger – TPC Twin Cities (TPC Network)
Leading Individual Golf Membership Sales Performance
Kayleigh Murphy – TPC River Highlands (TPC Network)
Most Improved Golf Visit Experience
Brian Mahoney – Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa (Omni Hotels & Resorts)
Most Improved Sales Performance
Jasmine Middleton – TPC Summerlin (TPC Network)
Elena Correa – The Lexington Golf & Country Club (Landscapes Golf Management)
My59 Service Excellence Award
Reynolds Lake Oconee (Independent)
