Month: March 2026

The golf, leisure, and hospitality industry came together to celebrate excellence at the 59club UK & Ireland Service Excellence Awards, hosted at the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort on 26 March 2026.

View the full photo gallery here

Recognising the venues and individuals who have delivered exceptional service standards over the past year, the awards once again highlighted the very best performers across the UK and Ireland.

Mount Juliet Estate emerged as the standout performer of the evening, securing four individual awards and earning the coveted title of Ultimate Golf Resort. Their success reflects a continued commitment to delivering world-class facilities and outstanding guest experiences.

Ballybunion Golf Club reinforced its position as one of the finest members’ clubs in the region, retaining the title of Ultimate Members’ Club for an impressive third consecutive year — a testament to its consistency and dedication to excellence.

Eden Hall also celebrated a remarkable achievement, securing Spa Experience of the Year for the third year in a row, completing a hat-trick of wins and demonstrating sustained leadership in the wellness and spa sector.

Individual excellence was also recognised on the night. Matt Aplin of Goring & Streatley Golf Club received his eighth consecutive nomination for Greenkeeper of the Year, an extraordinary reflection of his ongoing contribution to course quality and presentation. Meanwhile, Glenn McNaughton of Long Ashton Golf Club continued his exceptional run of success, being named Food & Beverage Manager of the Year for the seventh consecutive year.

The evening concluded with the presentation of 59club’s prestigious Bronze, Silver, and Gold Flag Awards, recognising venues that consistently delivered outstanding service standards and first-class facilities to their members and guests throughout 2025.

Based on 59club’s independent mystery shopper programme, the awards remain a benchmark for excellence across the industry, celebrating those who continue to raise the bar in customer experience.

The 2026 ceremony once again underscored the passion, professionalism, and innovation driving the sector forward, with winners and nominees alike setting new standards for service excellence.

Food & Beverage Manager of the Year

Green-fees Over £160: Eddie Devane (Mount Juliet Estate

Green-fees Between £75-£159: Glenn McNaughton (Long Ashton)

Green-fees Less than £74: F&B Team (Knebworth GC)

Retail Manager of the Year

Green-fees Over £160: Martin Robinson (Brocket Hall)

Green-fees Between £75-£159: Daniel Field (East Herts GC)

Green-fees Less than £74: Giuseppe Licata (Filton GC)

Greenkeeper of the Year

Green-fees Over £160: Angus Macleod (The Belfry – Brabazon), John Bambury (Ballybunion GC)

Green-fees Between £75-£159: Mike Bush (St Mellion Estate)

Green-fees Less than £74: Matt Aplin (Goring & Streatley GC)

Golf Operations Team of the Year

Green-fees Over £160: Mount Juliet Estate

Green-fees Between £75-£159: Rockliffe Hall

Green-fees Less than £74: Knebworth GC

Golf Manager of the Year

Green-fees Over £160: Matt Sandercock (Mount Juliet Estate)

Green-fees Between £75-£159: Tom West (Rockliffe Hall)

Green-fees Less than £74: Mark Bierton (Knebworth GC)

Leading Individual Golf Membership Sales Performance

Philomena Wilkinson (Forest of Arden)

Golf Membership Sales Team of the Year

Branston Golf & Country Club

Leading Individual Leisure Membership Sales Performance

Megan Davey (Celtic Manor Resort)

Leisure Membership Sales Team of the Year

Branston Golf & Country Club

Leading Individual Corporate Sales Performance

Alice Kozlowski (formerly of The Grove)

Leading Individual Corporate Sales Call Performance

Conor Reid (Mount Juliet Estate)

Leading Spa Experience

Eden Hall

Leading Health Club Experience

The Warwickshire

Bronze Flag Resorts

Old Thorns Hotel & Resort; The Machrie

Silver Flag Resorts

Barnham Broom; Belton Woods Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort; Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort; China Fleet Country Club; Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort; Mottram Hall; St Mellion Estate; The Vale Resort; Wychwood Park

Gold Flag Resorts

Carton House; Celtic Manor Resort; Fairmont St Andrews; Forest of Arden; Foxhills Club & Resort; Gleneagles; Mount Juliet Estate; Rockliffe Hall; The Belfry Hotel & Resort; The Grove; The K Club; The Mere Resort & Spa

Bronze Flag Members’ Club

Benton Hall Golf & Country Club; Bognor Regis Golf Club; Burnley Leisure & Culture – Towneley Golf Course; Chartham Park Golf & Country Club; Chesfield Downs Golf & Country Club; Coventry Golf Club; Crane Valley Golf Club; Farleigh Golf Club; Filton Golf Club; Greetham Valley Golf & Country Club; Guildford Golf Club; Leamington & County Golf Club; Lichfield Golf and Country Club; Newcastle Under Lyme Golf Club; Nizels Golf & Country Club; North Foreland Golf Club; Royal Wimbledon Golf Club; Stratford-on-Avon Golf Club; The Astbury Golf Lodge & Resort; The Club at High Legh Park; The Essex Golf & Country Club; The Heron Country Club; The Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club; The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club; The Tytherington Club; Windlesham Golf Club

Silver Flag Members’ Club

Alnmouth Golf Club; Branston Golf & Country Club; Clandon Regis Golf Club; East Herts Golf Club; Enville Golf Club; Essendon Country Club; Gailes Links Golf Club; Goring & Streatley Golf Club; Goswick Golf Club; Hesketh Golf Club; Heswall Golf Club; Hindhead Golf Club; La Moye Golf Club; Matlock Golf Club; Newport Golf Club; Pannal Golf Club; Seapoint Golf Links; St Enodoc Golf Club; Stockport Golf Club; Stirling Golf Club; Stoneham Golf Club; Teignmouth Golf Club; The Club at Cams Hall Estate; Woodbury Park

Gold Flag Members’ Club

Ballybunion Golf Club; Brocket Hall; Castle Royle; Conwy Golf Club; County Louth Golf Club; Crail Golfing Society; Dunbar Golf Club; Edgbaston Golf Club; Frilford Heath Golf Club; Golf At Goodwood; Gullane Golf Club; Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club; Harpenden Golf Club; Hickleton Golf Club; JCB Golf & Country Club; Knebworth Golf Club; Ladybank Golf Club; London Golf Club; Long Ashton Golf Club; Moor Park Golf Club; Panmure Golf Club; Portstewart Golf Club; Richmond Golf Club; Rotherham Golf Club; Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club; Royal Dublin Golf Club; The Royal Automobile Club; The Warwickshire; Witney Lakes Resort; Woodhall Spa

59club UK & Ireland is delighted to announce the promotion of Alice Cox-Cooper to Account Director and James Ibbetson to General Manager, reflecting the continued growth and success of the business in the region.

Alice and James will join the senior management team alongside Managing Director Will Hewitt, directors Andy Etherington and Matt Roberts, and Craig Boland, who leads the company’s 18-sport division. Their promotions come as 59club UK & Ireland expands its operations, now supporting over 300 partner venues across the region.

Alice has been instrumental in strengthening client relationships and driving strategic initiatives, ensuring partner venues receive exceptional service and support. In her new role as Account Director, Alice will oversee key accounts and lead the team in delivering innovative solutions for 59club’s expanding client base.

James’ promotion to General Manager recognizes his leadership in operational excellence. Since joining the business 3 years ago, James has led the significant growth of 59club in the southern region and has been instrumental in the development of the 59club partnership and events programme, creating valuable education and networking opportunities for hundreds of hospitality professionals. James will be responsible for overseeing a number of key initiatives across the UK and Ireland, ensuring consistent delivery of 59club’s renowned services and supporting continued business growth.

Will Hewitt, Managing Director, commented:
“Alice and James have demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment to our business. Their promotions are well-deserved and will be pivotal as we continue to grow our presence and support for golf venues across the UK and Ireland.”

These appointments mark a significant milestone in 59club’s ongoing development, strengthening the senior management team and reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering excellence to its growing network of partners.