Peter Bonell, chief marketing officer at Casa de Campo – the number-one resort in the Caribbean with the finest golf in the region – has been named to the newly created Advisory Board of Great Golf Resorts of the World (GGRW), representing the Caribbean, Mexico and South America.
A leading industry group, GGRW creates marketing tools, including publications, plans, surveys, and other materials, for the finest golf resorts worldwide. At the annual meeting held earlier this month at Pebble Beach Resorts, a nine-member Advisory Board was created for the first time.
Along with Bonell, three trustees were named: Tim Ryan of Pebble Beach Resorts (representing North America), Arthur Yeo from ReignwoodPineValley (Asia, Australia), and Jay Connolly of Waterville (Europe, Africa). Four outside trustees also were selected: Joe Steranka, former CEO, PGA of America; Robert Cowdrey, former VP Sales, Pebble Beach Resorts; Ian Ferrier, former GM Golf, Gleneagles; and Bob Prewitt, CEO, Dana Communications. Joining them is Abraham Summers, General Manager, GGRW.
“I’m pleased and proud to be representing one of the fastest growing regions in golf,” said Bonell, who has been at Casa de Campo since 2012. “There are already many outstanding resorts in this sector and more opening soon. My responsibility is to make sure new members of GGRW meet the organization’s high standards, while continuing to keep my home resort, Casa de Campo, at the forefront. Competition drives us all to be better and more responsive to our guests.”
The Board’s responsibilities include advising on GGRW marketing initiatives and strategic partnerships; acting as liaison with participating resorts; approving membership invitations to other resorts; assisting in planning future meetings and selecting future trustees; and other tasks as warranted.
At present, GGRW is open to no more than 50 member resorts. The overriding standard for membership is a property’s quality of golf based on course conditions, tradition and history, third-party ratings, the quality of the design, performance of the golf staff, and any past or future championships. At the same meeting, it was agreed that every member resort should have a written golf quality-assurance program in place.
The newly adopted rules for establishing the Advisory Board call for it to have nine members. In addition to the General Manager of GGRW, there will be four resort representatives and four outside representatives, each named to two- and three-year terms.
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