and pro-active promotion from
a huge number of tour operators
throughout the world. It is important
to express the sincere gratitude to
each and every tour operator that
has helped develop this project into
the success it has become.”
Golf Resort of the Year – North
America: Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill
Club & Lodge, Florida
Ray G. Easler, Vice President,
Hospitality & Operations, Arnold
Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge: “We
are both delighted and honoured
that tour operator members of the
International Association of Golf
Tour Operators have selected Arnold
Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge as the
2015 Best Golf Destination in North
America. For more than 50 years,
Bay Hill has been making history,
not only for being the winter home
of Arnold Palmer but for being an
exceptional golf destination. We take
great pride in the experience we
offer our members and guests and
look forward to sharing our tradition
of service and hospitality with
travellers from around the globe.”
Golf Resort of the Year – Rest of
the World: Banyan The Resort Hua
Hin, Thailand
Sirirat Murphy, General Manager,
Banyan The Resort Hua Hin: “Nestled
in the iconic and wholesome town of
Hua Hin, the popular and preferred
destination of discerning local and
international clients looking for
a relaxing getaway, Banyan The
Resort Hua Hin is the perfect choice
of IAGTO’s specialist and golf tour
operator members who voted for the
resort as the ‘Best Golf Resort’ of the
year 2015. Receiving this coveted
‘Golf Resort of the Year Award’ is an
accomplishment that Banyan The
Resort Hua Hin including the Banyan
Golf Course are proud of and attest
to the high standard of our services
and facilities of which we will
continue to uphold.”
58
Undiscovered Golf Destination of
the Year: Tasmania
Elizabeth Sattler, Executive Officer,
Great Golf Courses of Australia:
“Tasmania’s golf product has
developed significantly over the
past 10 years. From world-class
links to hidden local gems and
the development of a number of
new exciting golf products, the
state continues to position itself
as one of the most exciting golf
destinations in Australia. Receiving
IAGTO’s prestigious accolade of
Undiscovered Golf Destination of the
Year 2016 will only assist to build on
this momentum both domestically
and internationally. The breadth
of Tasmania’s golf experiences
combined with its breathtaking
scenery, accessible wilderness and
premium food and wine offering
makes the Island a ’must-visit’
destination for golfers. This award is
testament to the quality of the golf
and tourism product Tasmania has to
offer. On behalf of Tourism Tasmania
and the Tasmanian Golf Industry, I
am very excited to receive this award
which we believe will only assist to
further develop the growing number
of golfers visiting the state.”
Sustainable Golf Course of the
Year – Europe, Middle East &
Africa: La Galiana Campo de Golf,
Spain
La Galiana Director Rafael Martinez:
“La Galiana Golf would like to thank
IAGTO and the Golf Environment
Organization for honouring us with
the prestigious award for Sustainable
Golf Course 2016 (Europe, Middle
East and Africa region). This is
an award which reinforces our
benchmark status as a global golf
course, a course benefitting from
an unrivalled natural environment
together with first class maintenance
and upkeep which makes the players
who visit us able to enjoy their sport
to the full. In view of this and with
the upcoming development of a
hotel, this project continues to grow
thanks to all the golfers who have
visited and supported La Galiana.”
Destination Golf .TRAVEL
Sustainable Golf Course of the
Year – A Y\