Foremost Golf, the UK’s largest retail and marketing services group, has announced the winners of its prestigious Industry Member Awards for 2021.
The group’s member awards recognise some of the most dedicated and hard-working Foremost member professionals and are awarded based on a thorough and transparent point-scoring criteria.
The most coveted award, the Foremost Professional of the Year, was presented to Charles Le Sueur from Alderley Edge Golf Club in Cheshire. An outstanding 12 months of hard work and dedication saw Le Sueur earn the group’s top honour.
Commenting on his award, Le Sueur said: “I was pretty shocked to be nominated, let alone to have won. There are many great professionals within Foremost doing some amazing things so to be recognised with this award really means a lot to me.”
Working hand-in-hand with his committee at Alderley Edge, Le Sueur has helped to nearly double the total of members over the last three years, providing a windfall for the club and pro to invest in the facility.
Commenting on Le Sueur’s recognition, Club Chairman David Lee said: “Charles has been a great strength during the difficult times of COVID over the past couple of years and has played a vitally important role in the membership recruitment process. We continue to hold Charles in great esteem and the fact he has won this award is something we are extremely proud of.”
Andy Martin, Foremost Managing Director, commented: “Charles is a top professional who goes above and beyond for his members and customers and is fully deserving of this accolade. He’s demonstrated the significant value that a progressive pro can make to their golf club and worked brilliantly to build his business from the ground up.”
The title of Elite Marketing Programme Professional of the Year was awarded to another Cheshire-based professional, Graham Drabble from Romiley Golf Club.
“It’s a real honour to receive this award as it’s recognition that all the hard work you’ve put in has paid off,” said Drabble. “The Elite Marketing Programme supports my business in so many ways, as it allows us to stay in regular contact with members so that they can see what we are offering on a weekly basis at the club. That really pays dividends and to be able to do that is immense as it keeps us at the forefront of the customers’ minds.”
Jack Collett, Drabble’s Foremost Elite Marketing Programme Digital Marketing Editor, said: “Graham is a tremendous example of what a proactive pro who maximises the services and facilities at their disposal can achieve. Working with the club and empowering his team to succeed has allowed him to offer the very best service to his customers.”
Daniel Whitby-Smith capped off a fantastic year at Drayton Park Golf Club in Tamworth by winning Breakthrough Professional of the Year, an award which recognises members that have recently made significant improvements to their business.
“I’m really proud to have won this award as it’s recognition for all the hard work that the team has put in, day-in, day-out since I’ve been Head Professional,” said Daniel. “The team at Foremost and the lads in the shop have also been brilliant and this award shows that we’ve made great strides.”
Foremost Business Development Consultant Charlie Hartley, account contact for Whitby-Smith, added: “What Daniel has been able to accomplish over the last two years since taking over has been incredibly impressive. I firmly believe that the passion he has for his business and entrepreneurial spirit will bring a bright future.”