The Scottish golf tourism industry’s top achievers have been recognised at a dazzling awards ceremony held near Edinburgh. The annual event from leading industry organisation Golf Tourism Scotland is widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of the golfing world’.
Hosted by Marriott Dalmahoy, this year a record 16 awards were handed out including, for the first time, The Gold Standard Award for outstanding work promoting Scottish golf tourism which was received by Allan Minto from Golf East Lothian.
This year’s Young Industry Person Award winner was Kirsty Martin from The Village at Machrihanish Dunes who really impressed the GTS awards interview panel with her enthusiasm and dedication to her job.
“The Gold Standard Awards continue to showcase the amazing products and services we have here inScotland. The quality and diversity of our product has never been more important than on the eve of the next four years. Four years which will see Scotland host The Open three times, the Women’s British Open and the Ryder Cup,” noted GTS chairman Lee Derrick.
“This year’s event was the first time we have changed the actual awards themselves and I was delighted to see the creativity on display from The Leith Silver Company, producer of the Life Time Achievement award and The Trophy Centre, producer of the rest of the awards.”
The award recipients represent all areas of the golf tourism industry.
And the winners are.
Young Industry Person of the Year
Kirsty Martin, The Village at Machrihanish Dunes
Transport Operator of the Year
St Andrews Executive Travel
Domestic Golf Tour Operator of the Year Award
Links Golf St Andrews
International Golf Tour Operator of the Year
GolfBreaks.com, England
Best B&B of the Year
Sandown House, Nairn
Best Small Hotel of the Year
Dunvegan Hotel, St Andrews
Best Large Hotel of the Year
Macdonald Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews
Best Resort of the Year
Old Course Hotel & Spa Resort
Secretariat of the Year
The team at St Andrews Links Trust
Caddiemaster of the Year
The team at North Berwick
Best Course of the Year (Green Fees UNDER £75)
Cruden Bay Golf Club
Best Course of the Year (Green Fees OVER £75)
Kingsbarns Golf Links
GTS Green Award
Fairmont St Andrews & Dundonald Links
Gold Standard Award Winner 2012
Allan Minto, East Lothian
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2012
Malcolm Campbell, author, St Andrews
Golf Tourism Scotland (GTS) www.golftourismscotland.com