‘Major’ honour

‘Major’ honour

23 October 2019

ARDGLASS Golf Club has won a stunning accolade.

At a glittering awards ceremony in Morocco last week, the beautifully manicured links course was hailed the ‘best Northern Ireland golf experience of the year’.

The club — which attracts golfers from across the globe — was recognised for the experience it has given visitors over the past 12 months at the Global Golf Tourism Organisation’s 20th annual awards in Marrakech.

The award category this year was focused on recognising the achievements of golf courses and hotels that delivered the best possible experience to visiting golf travellers in the past year.

Ardglass officials say that they are delighted with the award and have thanked everyone who helped secure it.

Over recent years, the Ardglass club has shared in the European Golf Destination of the Year Award and received further recognition last year when chosen to host the R&A British Open Girls Championship. 

Officials are delighted that the latest accolade is not only a recognition of the scenic and challenging golf course, but the whole visitor experience, arguing that the award represents a further demonstration of how the club’s reputation has spread far beyond local shores.

To date this year, the club has welcomed more than 7,000 visitors from across the globe and has worked hard to provide the level of service that international golfers demand.

The club’s director of golf, Paul Vaughan, said it has had a very successful marketing team at Ardglass over the years, working hard to attract visitors to the course and to build the club’s reputation.

“We also realise the importance of providing a good product when the visitors get here,” he continued.

“Golfing tourists, particularly those from North America which is a large part of our market, expect high standards of service. We aim to meet these demands by providing a first-class experience in every aspect of their visit.” 

Ardglass captain, Macartan Bryce, said the club is “honoured” to have received the award.

He added: “Ardglass Golf Club is often praised on social media for the friendliness of its welcome and I believe this is down to not only the staff, but to the friendly reception that visitors receive from our members.

Local councillor, Dermot Curran, has extended his congratulations to club officials in charge of the course in his home village.

“Ardglass Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the best in Ireland and consistently attracts golfers from across the globe,” he said.

“It plays a key role in helping boost the local economy and I hope that additional visitor accommodation can been provided locally.”