It was awards time this week for the Irish golf industry as it gathered for the annual Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association (IGTOA) Conference and Gala Golf Awards.
This event is always a highlight on the Irish golf industry calendar as it brings hotel managers, golf club managers and service providers together with IGTOA members after a long season in a relaxed environment to plan for the next year.
The event travelled north this year to the Newry, Mourne & Down District and more specifically the Slieve Donard Hotel and Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, County Down.
Following a significant revamp and under new ownership, the event provided the Slieve Donard with a great opportunity to showcase what can only be described as an outstanding new offering and with Royal County Down signed on to host the Irish Open in 2024, it was a match made in heaven!
Irish Golfer were of course in attendance as media partners and it was uplifting to hear news of investments, growth and also feel the air of positivity around the Irish golf industry which has faced it challenges in recent times.
The awards themselves were a just reward for the hard work and dedication of the various resorts and clubs etc. and for two specific people it was recognition of years (and in one case decades) of dedication to golf tourism and the tourism product in general.
And the winners were….
IGTOA 2022 JERRY DONWORTH OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO GOLF
Winner: Padraig Treacy, Killarney Park Hotel
Presented by: IGTOA Member Kyra Donworth & Riceal Kelly
of JD Golf and IGTOA Sponsor Tom Walsh & Claire Barrett of Waterford Crystal
IGTOA 2023 GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Fiona Togher, Carne Golf Links
Presented by: IGTOA Member Tom Kennedy, Experience Ireland Golf & Travel and IGTOA Sponsor John Shortt, Irish Golfer
2023 IGTOA Showcase of the Year
Winner : KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland Castle
Accepting the Award: Eamonn O’ Donnell, Director of Golf, Mark Nolan, Managing Director & Mark Reynolds Golf Manager, Dromoland Castle.
Presented by: IGTOA Member Allan O’Connor, Premier Golf, & Sponsor Conor Mallon from Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.
IGTOA 2023 LINKS GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Tralee Golf Club
Accepting the Award: John Reen, Martin Mitchell & Teddy Reynolds.
Presented by: IGTOA Member John Baker, Haversham and Baker & Michael Weston Slieve Donard Hotel
IGTOA 2023 PARKLAND GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR
Winner: The K Club
Accepting the Award: Paul Heery, General Manager K Club, Brendan Mackey and Niall Molloy
Presented by: IGTOA Member Colm Crowley, Lyons Links & IGTOA Sponsor Noeleen Furlong, Hertz
IGTOA 2023 GOLF RESORT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Druids Glen Resort
Accepting the Award: Aaron Byrne, Golf Sales Manager at Druids Glen Resort
Presented by: IGTOA Member, Mary Hartnett, Scales Golf & Travel & IGTOA Sponsor Alex McEvoy, Wildan Sports
IGTOA 2023 LARGE GOLF HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Winner: The Merrion Hotel
IGTOA 2023 BOUTIQUE GOLF PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
Winner: Curran Gate
IGTOA 2023 Three service excellence awards
The IGTOA Best Customer Experience – Winner: Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort
The IGTOA Best Customer Experience – Winner : Killeavy Castle Estate
The IGTOA Best Customer Experience –Winner: The Merchant Hotel
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