Franco Botha, Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Director of Golf, commented on their success. “At Jumeirah Golf Estates, we recognise the invaluable insights provided by 59club, which empower us to navigate an increasingly competitive market. It was a pleasure to spend the day with our peers, and an honor
to accept these awards on behalf of the entire team in recognition of our collective efforts. The
bar is set very high, and we are excited to continue enhancing the experience we afford our
Members and Guests while defending our titles against other clubs.”
Multiple celebrations unfolded for the host venue Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, with Club Manager David Taggart commenting: “We are delighted to receive recognition from 59club with both our Gold Flag Designation and for claiming the Membership Sales Team of the Year title. As the host venue for this prestigious event, the timing of this recognition is extra special for us. The 59club awards are greatly deserved by each and every member of the team who worked tirelessly throughout the year to exceed our member and guest’s expectations.”
Trump International Golf Club, Dubai once again secured the my59 Ultimate Service Excellence
Award, having consistently demonstrated their commitment to regularly analyse and advance
their customer service levels using a breadth of satisfaction surveys. Rounding off their
celebrations with a Gold Flag Designation.
The award that recognises the industry’s finest Agronomy Teams was split for the first time, to
represent both 9- & 18-hole facilities for their supreme standards in golf course presentation. The
winning venues celebrating this success were; Abu Dhabi City Golf Club (9) and Emirates Golf
Club (18) respectively who were also both recognised with a Gold Flag Designation.
The evening also saw Al Hamra Golf Club & eGolf megastore clinch the prestigious Retail Team
of the Year accolade for their unparalleled excellence within their customer service offering and
sales process, also claiming a Gold Flag Designation.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club also enjoyed their time in the spotlight, celebrating a Gold Flag
Designation and having fought off stiff competition for the closely contested Food & Beverage
Team of the Year Award.
On winning the award for the first time, Karl Whitehead Cluster Club Manager Viya Golf Venues said “The team at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, alongside the wider Viya Golf Abu Dhabi team, is proud to be recognised as Food & Beverage Team of the Year at the 2025 59club Service Excellence Awards. Receiving recognition for outstanding service at Hawksbill Restaurant reflects our team’s dedication to providing our members and guests with outstanding memorable experiences. Additionally, achieving Gold Flag status across all three of our Abu Dhabi clubs is an honour, and we remain committed to maintaining this recognition across our operations.”
During the ceremony 59club’s coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze Flag Designations were presented
to 17 properties across the Middle East & Africa, each having achieved the required
standard of customer service, as well as providing the finest facilities and services for their
guest’s enjoyment, as independently adjudicated by 59club’s comprehensive benchmarking
system.
15 Gold Flag Designations were presented to properties that included; Abu Dhabi City Golf Club;
Al Hamra Golf Club; Al Zorah Golf Club; Arabian Ranches Golf Club; Dubai Creek Golf &
Yacht Club; Dubai Hills Golf Club; Els Club, Dubai; Emirates Golf Club; JA Resort Golf
Course; Jumeirah Golf Estates; Montgomerie Golf Club, Dubai; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club;
Trump International Golf Club; Yas Acres Golf & Country Club; and Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.
With both The Track, Meydan Golf and Mont Choisy Resort, Mauritius, claiming Bronze Flag
Designations on the night.
Mark Bull, Director 59club MEA, said: “We are ecstatic to acknowledge the outstanding
teams and managers who shone brightly throughout the evening. Heartfelt congratulations to all
the deserving winners. A huge thanks extends to our title sponsors, Luxury Carts Group and
Turtleson, and to both Dubai Creek and Park Hyatt for their hospitality and a tremendous night of
celebration. Special thanks also to my colleague Tom Lynch, from the 59club Global Team, who
provided a captivating overview of 59club’s remarkable journey covering the past 17 years and a
preview of a number exciting developments that lie ahead”.
Lynch added: “It was a real pleasure to be in Dubai again and join the celebrations of
what is an incredibly vibrant region. Clubs in this part of the world are continuing to move the dial
year after year in regard to the service levels they provide to their members & guests. Whilst
fiercely competitive, there’s a wonderful sense of camaraderie too and the event was such a great
testament to that. Huge congratulations to each and every nominee and winner across the evening.”