The industry turns its attention to The Middle East, Africa & Asia as the shortlist is revealed ahead of 59club’s annual Service Excellence Awards event - which comes to JA Resort, Dubai, UAE on the 8th of March 2023.
59club’s prestigious Service Excellence Awards recognise those outstanding teams within the industry who consistently deliver the finest customer experiences for their members and guests - spanning all aspects of the Golf and F&B operation.
Qualification is unbiased; and determined by scores achieved through a detailed and objective mystery shopping programme that spans a twelve-month period throughout 2022. The properties nominated represent a defining standard within the golf & hospitality industry, signifying the ultimate benchmark of customer service ‘excellence’.
Leading the Middle East & Africa with 4 nominations are Abu Dhabi City Golf Club and Yas Links. Abu Dhabi City see their F&B team shortlisted for an award they last collected in 2021, as well as separate nominations in the Golf Operations, Retail, and Membership Team of the year categories. 59club officials who are constantly tracking global CX standards have witnessed a 15% improvement at the venue across its entire golf & hospitality operation, delivered over a 4-year period of mystery shopping audits and subsequent 59club training & support.
59club MEA’s Ultimate Gold Flag Property; Yas Links, are no stranger to the winner’s arena – after their F&B team claimed victory at the 2022 ceremony - a title they now go on to defend, whilst sporting 3 other nominations in Agronomy, Retail, and within the my59 Ultimate Service Excellence category - an accolade that represents a venues commitment to measure and advance their customer experience using a wealth of 59club customer satisfaction survey templates.
Emirates Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club realise nominations in no less than three award categories, with Saadiyat returning to defend their 2022 Retail Team of the year title, also nominated within the Golf Operations and F&B realms. Meanwhile, Emirates is in contention for the highly prized my59 Ultimate Service Excellence award, and their Golf Operations Team are hoping to take home the title they achieved back in 2021. Their hopes of victory don’t stop there, as Emirates are also a contender for Food and Beverage Team of the Year - a nomination that reinforces 59club’s ‘measure , train, support, reward’ mantra, after the club invested in F&B training from 59club in summer 2022 - which Mark Bull, Director of 59club MEA adds “has seen Emirates’ CX performance across the F&B department rise by 5% and the overall golf operation up by as much as 6%”.
A newcomer to the Dubai golf scene back in December 2021 - and simultaneously beginning their journey with the customer service specialists are Yas Acres Golf & Country Club, who find themselves in the running for a double dose of accolades, having been nominated for both Golf Operations and Agronomy Team of the Year.
Also featuring double nominations are Trump International Golf Club who are hoping to take the triple-crown by retaining their my59 Ultimate Service Excellence award, a title they have held for an impressive two years running. While The Els Club, Dubai sees their membership team return to defend their title against Jumeirah Golf Estates; who are also in the running for the my59 award.
Finally, Al Zorah Golf Club and Meydan, The Track are each nominated for awards that include Membership Sales Team and Retail Team of the year, respectively.
Meanwhile, 59club Asia has announced their nominees, with Aquella Golf & Country Club and Vattanac Golf Resort both newcomers to the 59club community, and these first-time nominees are listed in no less than 4 of the main award titles; which include Golf Operations, Retail, F&B and Agronomy Team of the year.
Thana City Country Club - a 59club Gold Flag bearing property rose to fame in the 2021 awards event having driven their service levels from silver status to gold in a 2-year period - are also in contention for all four Team of the year titles, of which they are returning champions in both the F&B & Retail categories.
And finally, Riverdale Golf Club - a 59club Bronze Flag property - are also vying for the regions four main award titles, whilst hoping to retain or better their flag designation.
59club’s most prized accolades of the awards ceremony, the Bronze, Silver & Golf Flag Designations will be presented on the night to the properties who consistently deliver an outstanding customer experience as well as providing the finest facilities for their guests enjoyment.
Looking ahead to the Service Excellence Awards, Mark Bull Director 59club MEA said; “It is fantastic to be hosting our 4th Service Excellence Awards and joining forces with the 59club Asia team. We are looking forward to welcoming industry colleagues from 3 different continents to the event at JA Resort, a fantastic location and destination to bring everyone together and celebrate the achievements of some superb individuals and teams. Thank you also to our title sponsor, Luxury Carts Group, who’s vision and development is fully aligned with our own ambition, both regionally and internationally, good luck to all nominees on the night.”
Araya Singhsuwan 59club Asia Director of Operations said; “We at 59club Asia are delighted to join the MEA Service Excellence Awards in what is its 4th staging, and showcase some of our facilities to the MEA region. Significant excitement has been building over the past few months since we started the countdown to the event. This is an incredible opportunity for industry leaders to get together, network, share best practices and celebrate individual and collective successes. All of us in the Asian region are looking forward to a great event at JA Resort and wish all nominees the best of luck on the evening, where all their hard work and dedication to excellence will be realized.”
59CLUB MEA & ASIA ‘SERVICE EXCELLENCE’ AWARD NOMINATIONS (in alphabetical order):
Golf Operations Team of the Year:
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club; Emirates Golf Club; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Acres Golf & Country Club.
Aquella; Riverdale Golf Club; Thana City and Vattanac.
Agronomy Team of the Year:
Els Club, Dubai; Trump International Golf Club; Yas Acres Golf & Country Club and Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.
Aquella; Riverdale Golf Club; Thana City and Vattanac.
Golf Retail Team of the Year:
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club; Meydan, The Track; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.
Aquella; Riverdale Golf Club; Thana City and Vattanac.
Food & Beverage Team of the Year:
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club; Al Hamra Golf Club; Emirates Golf Club and Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.
Aquella; Riverdale Golf Club; Thana City and Vattanac.
Golf Membership Sales Team of the Year:
Abu Dhabi City Golf Club; Al Zorah Golf Club; Els Club, Dubai and Jumeirah Golf Estates
My59 Ultimate Service Excellence Award:
Emirates Golf Club; Jumeirah Golf Estates; Trump International Golf Club and Yas Links, Abu Dhabi
