IN THE FRAME FOR MORE AWARDS
ROYAL Dornoch staff are in the running for two more UK awards.
Our long-time course manager Eoin Riddell has been shortlisted for Greenkeeper of the Year in the annual 59club Service Excellence Awards.
He is joined in the “Green Fee over £160” category by Angus Macleod (Belfry – Brabazon course), Craig Bayne (Fairmont St Andrews), David Feeney (Portstewart GC), Martin Lehane (Mount Juliet Estate) and Scott Fenwick (Gleneagles).
In addition, our team has been shortlisted for Food and Beverage Manager of the Year. In the “Green Fee over £160” bracket dominated by Irish clubs, we are joined by Eddie Devane (Mount Juliet), F&B Team (K Club), Kevin Canavan (Royal Dublin GC) and Navin Sookun (County Lough GC).
More than 250 venues across the UK and Ireland are involved in the 59club, which seeks to reflect the very best performances regardless of size, scale or profile.
The nominees for the prestigious accolades, which recognise those “outstanding Venues, Teams and Individuals within the industry who consistently deliver outstanding experiences to their members and guests,” are determined by scores achieved through a detailed and objective mystery shopping programme.
Will Hewitt, General Manager, 59club UK, said: “The Service Excellence Awards continue to set the gold standard for customer service and operational excellence. Each nominee has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing guest experiences, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements.”
Royal Dornoch general manager Neil Hampton welcomed the recognition for Eoin and the Food and Beverage team.
“While our new clubhouse project is moving on apace, it’s reassuring to get confirmation that standards haven’t slipped in terms of providing a warm Highland welcome and quality fare in the current clubhouse,” he said.
“Eoin will be the first to say his fully deserved shortlisting for Greenkeeper of the Year reflects on the quality and professionalism of the team we have here at Royal Dornoch.
“We pride ourselves on the consistent quality of the Championship Course throughout the season and Eoin has also been overseeing extensive work on the Struie Course, which will see a splendid new hole being unveiled beside the Dornoch Firth this year, along with the installation of a £1.5 million irrigation system.”
The winners will be announced at the 15th Annual Service Excellence Awards Ceremony at DoubleTree by Hilton in Milton Keynes on March 13.
The event is backed by Turtleson, Albatross, Asbri Golf, Clubcar, Gaunt Golf Design, Golfbreaks.com, Golf Genius, Golf HR, HIO Golf, How Many Strokes, Isaacs Wealth & Benefits, Reesink Turfcare, Tagmarshal, and Tee Screen.
*Royal Dornoch has opportunities for seasonal staff to join Eoin’s award-winning greenkeeping team. For further information visit royaldornoch.com/join-our-team/