The very best in golf and hospitality were honoured at the third edition of the 59club Europe Service Excellence Awards, hosted at Terre Blanche from 5–6 March 2026. Industry leaders from across Europe gathered to celebrate outstanding customer service, operational excellence and elite performance – all aspiring to claim one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades.
Guests were greeted with panoramic views over the majestic landscape at Terre Blanche, provided the perfect backdrop to celebrate outstanding customer service and operational excellence, and to honour the finest performers of the year.
59club’s awards are determined through impartial mystery shopping audits, evaluating real customer experiences against objective benchmarking criteria. This robust methodology ensures that only the most consistent, dedicated and authentic venues, teams and individuals receive recognition for their commitment to excellence.
Awards were presented across 59club’s three European divisions; Europe South, West Europe & North Africa and Nordic & Central. All categories recognised venues delivering sustained elite performance throughout 2025.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Gold, Silver and Bronze Flag Designations – global industry titles awarded to golf clubs and resorts that demonstrate world-class facilities and exceptional service standards
Celebrating Excellence
In this year’s celebration of excellence, the Major 5 European titles — Food & Beverage Manager of the Year, Golf Retail Manager of the Year, Greenkeeper of the Year, Golf Operations Team of the Year, and Golf Manager of the Year — were awarded to five standout venues across Europe.
Leading the way in hospitality, Marta Castells from Camiral took home the prestigious Food & Beverage Manager of the Year accolade. Over in France, Cécile Crignola from Golf de Roquebrune was crowned Golf Retail Manager of the Year, recognised for outstanding performance in the pro shop and retail experience.
The Greenkeeper of the Year award was once again secured by a Nordic venue, with Beavan Tattersall from Kristianstads Golfklubb & Destination honoured for excellence in course presentation and agronomy. Heading south, Old Course Vilamoura claimed the title of Golf Operations Team of the Year, celebrating exceptional teamwork and service delivery.
Finally, and once again, David Ashington from Costa Navarino reaffirmed his place among Europe’s elite, securing the coveted Golf Manager of the Year award.
The evening also celebrated regional individual moments of service excellence across the customer journey, recognising team members who go above and beyond in their roles. Winners were acknowledged in a variety of categories, highlighting the people who make every guest experience exceptional.
All regional winners can be found below, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication driving Europe’s golf clubs forward.
59club Regional Winners – Europe South:
Food & Beverage Manager of the Year: Marta Castells, Camiral
Golf Retail Manager of the Year: Antonia Christopoulou, Costa Navarino & Ana Rita, Old Course Vilamoura
Greenkeeper of the Year: João Goulão, Old Course Vilamoura
Golf Operations Team of the Year: Old Course Vilamoura
Golf Manager of the Year: David Ashington, Costa Navarino
Most Improved Venue: Palmares
59club Regional Winners – Europe West & North Africa:
Food & Beverage Manager of the Year: Pierre Millet, Golf de Seignosse
Golf Retail Manager of the Year: Cécile Crignola, Golf de Roquebrune
Greenkeeper of the Year: Philippe Burgeat, Terre Blanche
Golf Operations Team of the Year: Terre Blanche
Golf Manager of the Year: Lionel Gardes-Bus, Terre Blanche
Most Improved Venue: Golf de Seignosse
59club Regional Winners – Nordic & Central:
Food & Beverage Manager of the Year: Hakan Demirtas, Golf Club St. Leon-Rot
Golf Retail Manager of the Year: Jacob Pedersen, Great Northern
Greenkeeper of the Year: Bevan Tattersall, Kristianstads Golfklubb & Destination
Golf Operations Team of the Year: Great Northern
Golf Manager of the Year: Hanno Kross, Estonian Golf & Country Club
Most Improved Venue: Miklagard Golf
The above regional winners automatically become contenders for the European Awards, with the following individuals and teams ultimately crowned as European winners.
59club Europe ‘Service Excellence’ Award Winners:
Food & Beverage Manager of the Year: Marta Castells, Camiral
Golf Retail Manager of the Year: Cécile Crignola, Golf de Roquebrune
Greenkeeper of the Year: Bevan Tattersall, Kristianstads Golfklubb & Destination
Golf Operations Team of the Year: Old Course Vilamoura
Golf Manager of the Year: David Ashington, Costa Navarino
59club Europe Flag Designations
The 59club Flag Designation recognises venues that consistently deliver excellence across all areas of the customer journey.
Bronze Flag Designation:
Domaine de Manville, Empordà Golf Club, Esbjerg Golfklub, Golf de Roquebrune, Golf de Seignosse, Golf de Servanes, La Cala Resort, Las Ramblas Golf, Linna Golf, Miklagard Golf, Nokia River Golf, Ombria Algarve, Opio Valbonne Golf Resort, Palmares, Pula Golf Resort, Real Club Sevilla Golf, Stensballegaard Golf, Valle Romano Golf & Resort.
Silver Flag Designation:
Evian Resort, Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, Golf de Andratx, Kristianstads Golfklubb & Destination, La Hacienda Links Golf Resort, Laguna Vilamoura, Le Golf National, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Millennium Vilamoura, Pickala Golf, Pinhal Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, Son Quint Golf, Son Servera Golf Club, Son Vida Golf
Gold Flag Designation:
Aphrodite Hills, Camiral, Club de Golf Alcanada, Costa Navarino, Estonian Golf & Country Club, Finca Cortesin, Golf Club St. Leon-Rot, Great Northern, INFINITUM, Old Course Vilamoura, Son Muntaner, Terre Blanche, The Dutch, The Scandinavian
The pinnacle of these awards will see a number of regional winners and European winners invited to represent their club at 59club’s second Global Awards, taking place in November at World renowned Vilamoura in Portugal.