Saadiyat Beach Golf Club celebrates after claiming diamond accreditation at the 2015 IAGTO Excellence Awards
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is celebrating this week, after being named one of the Diamond Award winners of the IAGTO Excellence Awards for 2015. Taking place on Wednesday night in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of the Asia Golf Tourism Convention, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club picked up the award following high scores across the board from the expert judging panel.
Each aspect of the Troon Golf-managed facility was assessed, with the club coming out on top in areas such as on and off-course amenities, value for money, successful professional trade relationships and visitor access.
IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) is the global trade organisation for the golf tourism industry, with over 2,300 members comprising accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, and golf courses amongst others. For 15 years, IAGTO has been rewarding outstanding achievements made across the globe, with the Excellence Awards forming part of the organisation’s acknowledgement of leading for golf destinations and golf resorts, reflecting accurately the opinions of golf tour operators, golf travel writers and, importantly the golf traveller.
“At Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, our entire team is committed to delivering a first-class experience for our members and guests throughout all facets of the golf club, so naturally we are delighted to have had this hard work and passion recognised in such a prestigious IAGTO award category,” commented Paul Booth, former Director of Club Operations accepting the award on behalf of Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Now imparting his expert knowledge as Director of Club Operations at sister venue, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Booth continued: “As a Troon Golf-managed facility, we deliver pristine tournament-ready course conditioning all year round and that, combined with our spectacular Gary Player designed beach-front setting and focused marketing initiatives, has seen us continue to attract golfers from all around the world.
“Saadiyat Beach Golf Club offers more than just golf and we are proud of our reputation for having created a family friendly and welcoming environment that attracts both golfers and non-golfers, all of whom are keen to relax in our magnificent surroundings, sample our exceptional cuisine and attend the innovative events that we host on a regular basis.”
The Gary Player-designed beach-front course clearly pleased the eye of the judges, who marked it highly on the “Quality of Golf Experience”, “Course Navigation” and “Signage”, with each hole featuring its own unique character and spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf.
The Club’s extensive clubhouse amenities also scored highly, in recognition of the venue’s accommodation of all levels of golfers, offering a bespoke ‘Member for a Day’ experience with bespoke customer service, exquisite dining in the hawksbill Restaurant, personalised lockers and bag tags, and personal touches from the international staff.
“Value for Money” for Green Fees, Buggies, Caddies and Rental Clubs as well as “Accessibility for Tee Times for International Visitors” were all contributing factors in the facility’s success, as were its “Professional Trade Relationships”, which Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has secured with Tour Operators who can offer packages with confidence in Troon Golf’s exacting standards for premium golfing experiences.
For IAGTO members, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club embodies the perfect golfing escape for international travelers, with the venue’s sales and marketing teams consistently creating innovative ways to open the destination and capture the imagination of golfers heading to Abu Dhabi, as well as through its partnerships and destination marketing initiatives, such as “Golf in Abu Dhabi”.
