The National Golf Course Owners Association Announces Annual Awards Winners

 The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is honored to announce the winners of the association’s annual awards. Each year, the NGCOA recognizes the most outstanding members of the past year, and the individuals and organizations that have helped preserve the tradition of the game while embracing the challenges and opportunities of the golf business.

“This year we are honoring some golf industry giants,“ says Jay Karen, NGCOA’s Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we are excited to recognize some unsung people who have done giant things for golf. The awards ceremony is always NGCOA’s finest hour of the year.”

All award winners will be recognized at the Golf Business Conference 2019’s Celebration and Awards Dinner on Thursday, February 7, 2019 in the Grand Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Tickets are still available for the conference and/or the dinner; visit golfbusinessconference.com for more information.

Award of Merit: Designated for long-term and significant contributions to the game of golf.

• David Feherty

National Course of the Year Award: Recognizes a golf course that epitomizes exceptional course quality and management excellence, makes important contributions to its communities and the game, and is a model of operations to its peers. The following members were selected as the regional Course of the Year winners (from which the national Course of the Year is chosen):

• Greathorse (Norton, MA) in the Northeast Region

• Meadowlands Golf Club (Calabash, NC) in the South Region

• Applewood Golf Course (Golden, CO) in the West Region

• The Heather at Boyne Highlands (Harbor Springs, MI) in the Midwest Region

From the regional winners, the NGCOA Board of Directors selected The Heather at Boyne Highlands as the 2019 National Course of the Year recipient.

Champion Award: Bestowed upon individuals or entities which have succeeded in working on behalf of a group of owners – locally, regionally, nationally or internationally – and have garnered significant victory for our members.

• Maryland Coalition of Concerned Clubs (MCCC)

Don Rossi Award – Given for significant and long-lasting contribution to the NGCOA.

• Kathy Aznavorian – President, Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center

Player Development Award: Bestowed upon a course, entity or individual, which has implemented true and tested player development programs, providing effective return-on-investment and an overall welcoming atmosphere for new golfers of all ages.

• Bandon Dunes (Bandon, OR)

• PGA of America for PGA Junior League

Jemsek Award for Golf Course Excellence: Honors the world’s top golf courses, which are widely known for superior quality, having hosted major amateur and professional tournaments and for being venues to which golfers travel from far and wide.

• East Lake Golf Club (Atlanta, GA)

About the Golf Business Conference

The Golf Business Conference, hosted by the NGCOA, is the industry’s largest annual gathering of golf course owners and operators, and welcomes all courses regardless of size or type. Attendees will experience educational sessions and master classes on the most critical areas of golf course operations, a casual and fun golf outing at The Crosby Club, numerous networking opportunities, an awards banquet to recognize some of the most significant contributors to the golf industry, and so much more. The Golf Business Conference also coincides with the annual Golf Industry Show, which includes exhibits, demonstrations and additional networking opportunities. Visit golfbusinessconference.com for more information.

About the National Golf Course Owners Association

The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses as the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit ngcoa.org or call 1-800-933-4262.

Media Contact:
Renee Flowers
Director of Marketing and Communications, NGCOA
rflowers@ngcoa.org