Gary Player leads winners at World Golf Awards

Golfing legend, Gary Player, was voted Golf Course Designer of the Year at the fifth annual World Golf Awards.

The South African icon scooped top honours at golf tourism’s event of the year, which was hosted at La Manga Club, Spain.

Portugal also emerged as one of the big winners, collecting trophies for both World’s Best Golf Destination and Europe’s Best Golf Destination.

St Andrews Links (Old Course), Scotland scooped the award for World’s Best Golf Course, while The Belfry was recognised as World’s Best Golf Hotel.

In the newcomer category, the breath-taking parkland surroundings of Ireland’s The Golf Course at Adare Manor led to it collecting World’s Best New Golf Course.

The 2018 World Golf Awards proved a truly global gathering of the golf tourism industry, with pioneers, influencers and leading figureheads from 43 nations in attendance.

The prize-giving ceremony marked the climax of a three-day itinerary that included golf on La Manga Club’s West Course and South Course.

Chris Frost, managing irector, World Golf Awards, said: “La Manga Club has proven a world-class host on what has been a magnificent evening of triumph for the golf tourism industry.

“We have had the privilege of recognising the leading golf courses, hotels, resorts and tour operators from across the world and my congratulations to each of them.”

The weekend also proved an excellent showcase for host La Manga Club.

Set across an area of 1,400 acres, La Manga Club has enjoyed a rich golfing history over the last four decades.

The resort offers exclusive accommodation, first-class professional sports facilities including three golf courses, a 28-court tennis centre, eight FIFA-standard football pitches, as well as a 2,000m2 wellness centre and fine dining.

Other winners on the night included The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grand Cayman (World’s Best Nine Hole Golf Course); Vietnam (Asia’s Best Golf Destination); Abu Dhabi (Middle East’s Best Golf Destination); Abu Dhabi Golf Club (Middle East’s Best Golf Course); Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club – East Course (Africa’s Best Golf Course); Ba Na Hills Golf Club, Vietnam (Asia’s Best Golf Club); La Manga Club (Europe’s Best Golf Venue); and Ekerum Resort Öland, Sweden (World’s Best Eco Friendly
Golf Facility).

For more information about the 2018 World Golf Awards, visit the official website and for a full list of winners click here and for images here.

For further details about La Manga Club click here.

Gary Player celebrates being recognised as Golf Course Designer of the Year by World Golf Awards

World Golf Awards serves to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism, world-class courses and golf destinations.

Launched in 2014, World Golf Awards aims to drive up standards within the golf tourism industry by rewarding the organisations that are leaders in their field.