Desert Springs Golf Club in Palm Desert, California named Marriott Golf Property of the Year
ORLANDO, Fla. – August 20, 2013…Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, recently announced that Andy Mitchell, PGA, Director of Golf Operations at Marriott’s Grande Vista resort, located in Orlando, Fla., was named Golf Professional of the Year.
Marriott Golf’s prestigious Golf Professional of the Year award recognizes an individual who consistently performs and exceeds in areas of sales and profit; supplier program compliance; rounds improvement; leadership in personnel development; innovative program development; affinity programs; earning industry and Marriott Golf awards. Consideration for the prestigious award is based on performance excellence for current and previous years.
Andy was presented the award by Bill Nault, Vice President of Golf Operations for Marriott Golf at a surprise celebration on July 24. Under Andy’s guidance, overall golfer satisfaction at Grande Vista Golf Club is the highest among any Marriott Golf property. Customer feedback is based on the overall golfing experience, which includes customer service, condition of the golf course, overall value based on price and desire to recommend to family and friends.
“Andy’s leadership style is based on character and integrity, and he treats all of his golfers, colleagues and resort guests with the utmost respect, while providing unmatched service each and every day,” said Bill Nault, Vice President of Golf Operations for Marriott Golf. “Simply put, Andy’s leadership at Grande Vista and Grande Pines enables the property to provide the same first-class experience that is synonymous with Marriott.”
One of Mitchell’s most rewarding initiatives has been his work with wounded soldiers. In fact, as golf has become a therapeutic part of the rehabilitation for many wounded combat veterans, Marriott’s Grande Vista Golf Club regularly hosts individuals that have major disabilities, and/or who have been seriously injured in combat, providing them an opportunity to participate in activities on the golf course. Mitchell has been instrumental in the growth of this program, and works closely with the On-Course Foundation to introduce the game of golf to soldiers wounded in combat, and also educating them on the employment opportunities available within the golf industry.
Marriott’s Grande Vista resort, which boasts a Marriott Golf AcademyÌ¢?åÊ encompassing a 35-acre instructional facility offering full swing and short game areas, a 9-hole golf course, Swing Analysis Studio, Club Fitter’s Workshop™, is adjacent to Marriott’s Grande Pines Golf Club, which provides a challenging and fair 18-hole championship golf experience.
In related news, Desert Springs Golf Club, featuring 36-holes of Championship golf, located at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA, was been named the Marriott Golf “Property of the Year.” This award is based on performance excellence for current and previous years in various categories including golf sales, round improvements, customer satisfaction, program development, personnel development & leadership and more. The Palm and the Valley course offer golfers a fair and challenging test, complete with beautifully landscaped waterways, rolling fairways and spectacular views of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
About Marriott Vacation Club
Marriott Vacation Club is a global leader in vacation ownership with over 417,000 Owners, a diverse portfolio of 54 resorts and more than 11,800 timeshare villas throughout the U.S., Caribbean, Europe and Asia. For more information please visit www.marriottvacationclub.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MarriottVacClub and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marriottvacationclub.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 57 golf courses at 42 locations in 11 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.
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