ORLANDO, FLORIDA – June 11, 2007 – Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators and the world’s largest resort golf management company, today announced that Greg Downer has been named Director of Golf at The Rock Golf Club, an award-winning 18-hole Nick Faldo designed facility located in Minett, Ontario, Canada.
In this position, Downer will be responsible for managing all golf operations for the club, including golf & grounds maintenance, food & beverage operations, and sales & marketing initiatives. Additionally, Downer will have a significant role in overseeing a series of course refinements which are currently underway at The Rock.
A native of Newmarket, Ontario, Downer comes to The Rock from Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, one of Marriott’s premier international properties, as well one of the most prestigious resorts in the Caribbean, where he also served as the Director of Golf.
"I enjoyed my time in the Caribbean, but it is a pleasure to return to Canada and still have the opportunity to continue working with Marriott Golf," said Downer. "The Rock is truly one of the finest Canadian courses, and the new refinements will make it an even more fascinating layout."
Designed to further enhance the playing experience for golfers of all skill levels, the modifications to The Rock include expanding teeing areas and widening fairway landing zones to increase visibility and maximize playability. The re-opening of The Rock, which is scheduled to be completed in May of 2008, will coincide with the grand opening of The Rousseau, a JW Marriott Resort at Red Leaves.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 60 golf courses at 45 facilities in 15 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970, is one of the world’s premier golf operators, and is the world’s largest resort golf management organization. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises. For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,900 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott 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., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2006 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner. In fiscal year 2006, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $12.2 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Contact:
Michele Kruchkowski (mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com)
Stefanie Schiavello (stefanie@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications, Inc. @ 732-469-5700
