ORLANDO, FLORIDA – April 3, 2008… Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today announced that Anthony Williams, of Stone Mountain Golf Club in Stone Mountain, Georgia has been honored with the 2008 J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence. Williams is one of only nine Marriott associates to receive this prestigious award in 2008, and only the second Marriott Golf associate ever to be honored with the award.
Established in 1987, the J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence was created as a lasting tribute to company founder J. Willard Marriott, who held himself to the highest personal standards in regard to achievement, character, dedication, effort, and perseverance. Each year, over 300 hourly and managerial associates, out of Marriott’s more than 151,000 employees, are nominated by their supervisors and peers for their commitment to excellence, for their teamwork, and for their "spirit to serve."
Williams received the award based on his track record of success in directing golf grounds operations at two distinguished Marriott Golf-managed properties, the Renaissance Pine Isle Resort and Marriott’s Stone Mountain Golf Club. In fact, under Williams’ leadership, both properties have received tremendous golf industry awards and accolades with regard to environmental stewardship and overall golf course grounds operations. Moreover, Williams has been praised by fellow associates and industry peers for his drive to improve golf operations, enhance the work environment for his staff, donate his time and expertise to industry-wide causes, and for his overall enthusiasm and passion for his work.
“It is truly an honor to receive this prestigious award and be recognized for our golf organization’s contributions within Marriott,” said Williams. “This is very exciting and I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout my career.”
Each of the nine 2008 J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence honorees will travel to Washington, D.C. for a welcome luncheon and tour of Marriott Headquarters building on June 3rd. Further, a special awards gala will be held in their honor on June 4th at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.
In related news, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, and JW Marriott Hotel Cairo, in Egypt, both Marriott Golf managed properties, received honorable mentions for the Alice S. Marriott Award for Community Service, an award that recognizes a property and its associates for excellence in community service. Further, JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, in Tucson, has been awarded the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Diversity Excellence Award. This award recognizes a property for promoting Marriott’s long-standing commitment to diversity, which has become a fundamental operating principle and business imperative.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 61 golf courses at 45 locations in 13 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world’s premier golf operators. 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 about 3,000 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 Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 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
