Marriott Golf Announces Annual Awards for Performance Excellence
Marriott’s Orlando World Center Resort Named Golf Property of the Year;
Filippa McDougall of JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort Named Golf Professional of the Year;
Rob Rowson of Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club Named Golf Grounds Manager of the Year
ORLANDO, Fla., – Marriott Golf, the Global Golf Division of Marriott International, Inc. today announced its annual awards for golf excellence across the Company’s portfolio of properties. Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at Marriott’s Orlando World Center, Florida has been named Golf Property of the Year; Filippa McDougall Director of Golf at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, in Phoenix, Arizona, was named Golf Professional of the Year and Rob Rowson, the Director of Grounds Operations at Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club near Birmingham, England earned Golf Grounds Manager of the Year.
Highlighting the annual awards, Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at Marriott’s Orlando World Center Resort, has been named Golf Property of the Year. In addition to its successful year over year business metrics and achieving significant improvement in customer satisfaction ratings in Marriott International’s Global Golf Division, Hawk’s Landing Golf has continually renovated its greens and improved playing conditions to a championship quality level. The property is a consistent leader in the highly competitive Orlando / Central Florida resort and club market. 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 Marriott’s most significant Resort Hotels, Hawk’s Landing Golf Club exceeded all of its goals and is a testament to hard work and dedication”, said Claye Atcheson, Vice President, Marriott Golf. “The Golf team at the resort drives exceptional value for our Resort Guests and loyal local customers and deserves special recognition.”
Filippa McDougall, currently Director of Golf at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort (Wildfire Golf Club) was named Golf Professional of the Year. As Director of Golf at Camelback Club in nearby Scottsdale, Arizona in 2018, McDougall 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 Filippa’s leadership, the property saw an increase in all key business performance indicators, while increasing member sales, satisfaction, and participation.
“After assuming the Director of Golf Operations position at Camelback, Filippa found creative ways to market her golf club and drive value to its loyal members”, said Brett Stark, Senior Director, Marketing & eCommerce, Marriott Golf. “It’s an honor to recognize Filippa as our Golf Professional of the Year.”
A longtime veteran of Marriott Golf, leading the golf grounds team at Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club near Birmingham, England, Rob Rowson was recognized as Golf Grounds Manager of the Year. Rob achieved record scores in associate satisfaction, an accident free workplace, charitable fundraising, and course conditioning measures. His ability to produce consistent championship tier playing conditions is a key contributing factor in impressing a Membership, local players, and resort travelers. 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.
“Rob Rowson embodies the company philosophy – take care of associates and they will take care of the customer. His leadership has led to one of the most engaged teams in the company. For the last decade, his guidance has steered multiple projects and property initiatives, all while maintaining exceptional playing conditions, and hosting professional European StaySure Tour events, said Robert Waller, Senior Director, Grounds, Marriott Golf. “We couldn’t be more proud to recognize Rob Rowson as our Grounds Manager of the Year”.
Marriott Golf
Marriott’s Global Golf Division manages over 50 courses in 15 countries across 5 continents, offering nearly 1,000 holes of championship golf for Marriott International lodging brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, Westin, Sheraton, Gaylord Hotels, Renaissance Hotels, Protea Hotels, 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.
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Contact:
Brett Stark
brett.stark@marriott.com
Senior Director, Golf Marketing & e-Commerce
Marriott International, Inc. / Global Golf Division
(615) 265-8189
