The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, Sarasota named Golf Property of the Year:
ORLANDO, Florida – Marriott Golf, the Global Golf Division of Marriott International, Inc. recently announced its annual awards for golf excellence across the company’s portfolio of properties.
The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, Sarasota in Bradenton, Florida has been named Golf Property of the Year; Mike Hodgins, Director of Golf Operations at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona was named Golf Professional of the Year; and Chris Young, Golf Course Superintendent at Gaylord Springs Golf Links at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, was recognized as Golf Grounds Manager of the Year.
Highlighting the annual awards, The Ritz-Carlton Members Club, Sarasota, has been named Golf Property of the Year. In addition to its successful year over year business metrics and achieving significant improvement in member satisfaction, The Ritz-Carlton Members Club consistently leads the Marriott portfolio in course conditioning levels.
Some of the many award criteria for Golf Property of the Year include performance excellence for current and previous years in various categories including golf sales, round improvements, turf grass conditions, innovative program development, customer satisfaction, and personnel training & leadership.
“As a key component to one of The Ritz Carlton’s best resorts, The Members Club exceeded all of its goals and is a testament to hard work and dedication”, said William Nault, Vice President, Marriott’s Global Golf Division. “The Golf team at the Club drives exceptional value for our Owners, Members, and Guests, and deserves special recognition.”
Mike Hodgins of the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa was named Golf Professional of the Year. Hodgins was recognized as an individual who consistently performs and exceeds in areas of sales and profit, supplier program compliance, rounds improvement, leadership in staff development, sales and marketing initiatives, and customer loyalty.
Under Hodgins’ leadership, the property also created a dedicated revenue management position to focus solely on golf, yielding even better results throughout the year.
“Over the last few tumultuous years in both the golf and hotel business, Mike has consistently driven record breaking financial results”, said James Keane, Senior Director, Golf Operations & Development Planning, Marriott Golf. “Mike is a long-time veteran of the golf business and Marriott Golf, one of our most tenured Golf Directors. We are so glad to have him leading our flagship property with so much success. It’s an honor to recognize Mike as our Golf Professional of the Year.”
An 8-year veteran of Marriott Golf, leading the golf grounds team at Gaylord Springs Golf Links at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, Chris Young was recognized as Golf Grounds Manager of the Year. Chris assumed the role of Golf Course Superintendent in 2015 after serving as the Assistant Superintendent. He has been instrumental in two successful renovations including bunker re-design, collar re-grassing, drainage improvements, lake bank and cart path restoration, along with other course improvements.
Young has built one of the strongest teams in the company having multiple individuals move on to Assistant Superintendent positions within the industry while building strong engagement. His commitment to environmental excellence places Gaylord Springs Golf Links as a leader in the Nashville market obtaining Audubon Certification and enhancing pollinators thru the Operation Pollinator program.
Some of the criteria for this award include overall turf grass condition, member and guest satisfaction scores, employee satisfaction scores, loss prevention efforts, staff development, financial management, and continuing education efforts.
“Chris consistently strives to improve the golf course directly while driving a positive guest experience”, said David Robinson, Senior Director, Grounds, Marriott Golf. “We couldn’t be prouder to recognize Chris Young as our Golf Grounds Manager of the Year”.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott’s Global Golf Division manages 45 courses in 14 countries across five continents, offering nearly 1,000 holes of championship golf for numerous Marriott International lodging brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Westin, Sheraton, Gaylord Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, Protea Hotels by Marriott, and Marriott Golf Academy.
Since 1970, Marriott has been a recognized leader of integrated resort and golf operations, through its award-winning business results and renowned service culture. Marriott provides golf development expertise, golf management, and consulting services to a unique variety of hospitality environments including resorts, private membership clubs, daily fee courses, golf schools, and franchises.
For more information, visit www.marriott.com/explore-and-plan/golf.mi.
