Orlando, Florida – February 7, 2006 – Marriott Golf, the world’s largest resort golf management company, recently announced the winners of the 2005 Marriott Golf Awards during the 2006 Marriott International Golf Annual Meeting, which was held at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, FL, January 3-6, 2006. These awards are based on performance excellence for current and previous years in various categories, including sales performance, round improvements, program development, personnel development, leadership and more.
Highlighting the awards ceremony was the announcement that the prestigious Shadow Ridge Golf Club, in Palm Desert, California, was recognized as the 2005 Marriott Golf Property of the Year. In achieving this award, Shadow Ridge featured immaculate turf grass and course conditions, and management provided strong leadership and personnel development while offering an assortment of innovative programs that led to a tremendous increase in rounds played. Excellent performance in sales and development throughout 2005, as well as consistent performance in recent years helped secure this esteemed award for Shadow Ridge.
Receiving the award for Golf Professional of the Year was Chris Major, Director of Golf at The Rookery at Marco in Naples, Florida. Major was recognized for the combination of his leadership skills, development of innovative programs & affinity programs, and personnel development, as his contributions led to an outstanding year for The Rookery. In addition, Major has managed a successful membership campaign, while also overseeing a course renovation and clubhouse renewal project.
Golf Grounds Manager of the Year was awarded to Anthony Williams, who previously managed Renaissance PineIsle Golf Club, and is currently the Director of Grounds at Stone Mountain Golf Club in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Williams, who has been a Certified Golf Course Superintendent since 1998, was recognized for his excellence in course & grounds maintenance at PineIsle. Under his leadership, PineIsle achieved Certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program. In addition, Williams was recognized by Golf Digest in 2005 as the winner for Environmental Leadership in Golf from GCSAA in the National Resort Category.
"Both Chris Major and Anthony Williams are well deserving of these honors, as their contributions on many levels undoubtedly had a positive influence on the overall customer experience at their respective properties," said Claye Atcheson, VP Operations, Marriott Golf. "The entire team at Shadow Ridge should be commended for their commitment to excellence in 2005, as the entire golf operation performed at an exemplary level."
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf currently manages 60 golf courses at 45 facilities in 13 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is currently the largest resort golf operator in the United States. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,600 lodging properties in the United States and 65 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, and Fairfield Inn brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by Fortune® magazine. In fiscal year 2004, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $10 billion, and the company had approximately 133,000 employees at year-end 2004. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Contact:
Michele Kruchkowski
mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com
Ari Edelman
aedelman@mastrocomm.com
Mastro Communications
732-469-5700
