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Troon
Honors Facilities and Associates for Outstanding Performances
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“Best of the
Best” Recognized During the 2015 Troon Leadership Conference
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Scottsdale,
AZ – May 2015 / Newsmaker Alert / Troon®,
the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing
is pleased to recognize the following facilities and individuals for outstanding
performance in 2014. Winners were announced at the 2015 Troon Leadership
Conference, which recently took place in Chandler, Ariz., May 5-7 at The
Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort. Congratulations to the following award
winners:
“Facility
of the Year”
Troon
North Golf Club, Arizona
Troon
North Golf Club ranked among Troon’s top five properties in overall experience,
course conditions, and food and beverage experience in 2014. The facility
boasts an award winning golf shop and is consistently ranked as one of
the top courses in Arizona by both Golf Magazine and Golfweek. All revenue
categories performed at their best levels in more than a decade, even after
a substantial improvement the prior year. Troon North also increased their
Net Promoter Score, and demonstrated its support of Troon programs by ranking
first among Troon facilities in Troon Rewards signups and Team Troon Referrals.
Finalists for the award included The Els Club, Dubai in the United Arab
Emirates, Westin Kierland Golf Club in Arizona, The Club at Cordillera
in Colorado, Ocean Club in the Bahamas, BallenIsles Country Club in Florida,
and Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Massachusetts.
“General
Manager of the Year”
Alex
Nakajima, Princeville Makai Golf Club, Hawaii
Alex
Nakajima is known as a leader who motivates and cares for those on his
team. Under his leadership, Princeville Makai Golf Club has made substantial
improvements and is now listed in the top five courses in Hawaii and among
the top 100 in the world. His team has truly created a five-star experience
at the facility, demonstrating the effectiveness of Nakajima’s leadership
and dedication to do whatever it takes to improve. Under Nakajima, Associate
Satisfaction improved greatly along with Associate Net Promoter Score from
prior year. He has earned the complete trust of the ownership, with top
box scores in its Owner Survey and is a strong supporter of Troon, even
helping to grow the business in the state of Hawaii. Other finalists included
Nancy Dickens from Kierland Golf Club in Arizona, Josh Clay from Poston
Butte Golf Club in Arizona, Patrick Wynn from Prestige Golfshire Club in
India, Philip Linaugh from Savannah Quarters Country Club in Georgia, and
Michael Medeiros from Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Massachusetts.
“Associate
of the Year”
Tina
Policarpo, Lake of Isles, Connecticut
Selected
among 10,000 of Troon’s associates around the world, Tina Policarpo is
an integral part of operations at Lake of Isles. She is known for being
extremely personable, always prepared, and for making others better. She
is a true leader who arrives at work every day with a smile and a can-do
attitude that demonstrates creativity, knowledge, and a healthy competitive
edge. Members of the club praise Policarpo for her commitment and work
ethic and her fellow associates are quick to express that she is a pleasure
to work with. This year’s finalists also included Michelle Solomon from
Troon Country Club in Arizona, Jasmin Rigor from Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
in the United Arab Emirates, Stacey Brito from Silver Creek Valley Country
Club in California, Luis Alvarez from Maderas Golf Club in California,
and Dana Pekarchik from Five Oaks Golf & Country Club in Tennessee.
“Superintendent
of the Year”
Andrew
Whittaker, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, United Arab Emirates
Andrew
Whittaker is a consistent high performer who always seeks to raise the
bar and do more. In 2014, Whittaker oversaw a major renovation, assumed
resort landscaping duties and hosted another successful Tour event in which
the Tour wrote a letter stating, “The course is always amazing, but this
year was superb!” Under Whittaker’s direction agronomic scores increased
to 4.81 out of 5, earning praise from management, associates and customers
alike. Finalists for this year also included Seth Miller from Troon Country
Club in Arizona, Clinton Southorn from The Els Club, Dubai in the United
Arab Emirates, Dustin Strickland from La Cantera Hill Country Resort in
Texas, and Jeff Cathey from Colonial Country Club in Florida.
“Most
Improved Facility of the Year”
Entrada
at Snow Canyon Country Club, Utah
This
award is given only to properties demonstrating a true “success story”
and Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club saw major improvements from prior
year in all primary categories. Financially, both golf revenues and non-golf
revenues improved substantially. The club was voted most improved agronomically,
helping the course move from a No. 8 state ranking to No. 2. Member surveys
revealed impressive increases in food and beverage categories and Entrada’s
Associate Promoter score made a big jump as well. The golf shop received
a Platinum Award for excellence and Member Net Promoter Scores increased
as well. Finalists for this year also included The Club at Cordillera in
Colorado, Poston Butte Golf Club and La Paloma Country Club in Arizona,
Prestige Golfshire Club in India, and Cimarron Hills Golf & Country
Club in Texas.
“Facility
Newcomer of the Year”
Potomac
Shores Golf Club, Virginia
This
award acknowledges the incredible hard work of a property that has been
a part of the Troon family for less than 18 months. Potomac Shores Golf
Club executed a successful opening of the club, achieving tremendous results
by exceeding an aggressive budget in its first year of operation. In 2014,
the property was named by Golf Magazine among the “Best You Can Play,”
Links Magazine as the “Best New Course in a Metropolitan Area” and by Golf
Digest as a “Best New Course” in the United States. Other finalists this
year were Sewailo Golf Club and Terravita Golf Club in Arizona, Alpine
Country Club in Rhode Island, Santa Maria Golf & Country Club in Panama,
and Chateau d’ Augerville in France.
“Turnaround
Facility of the Year”
La
Paloma Country Club, Arizona
Based
on financials, La Paloma Country Club leads the pack as the Turnaround
Facility for 2014. The golf shop, which won a Platinum Award, also made
major increases in retail sales during the year. Other key indicators included
increased golf revenues, as well as fitness, tennis and other departments
that collectively raised profits significantly in 2014. The team at La
Paloma is leading by creating new innovative ways to increase member participation
and drive revenues. Finalists for this year also included The Club at Cordillera
in Colorado, Muttontown Club in New York, and Prestige Golfshire Club in
India.
“Food
& Beverage Professional of the Year”
Gregory
Jolliff, BallenIsles Country Club, Florida Member satisfaction at BallenIsles
Country Club is at an all-time high. Among the major influences driving
satisfaction is certainly the food and beverage team, led by Gregory Jolliff.
In 2014 overall satisfaction with food and beverage at the club increased,
with dramatic improvements made in all areas. Under Jolliff’s leadership
the positive changes made at BallenIsles have resulted in providing members
with the best quality food and service the club has seen. Other finalists
for the year were Mollie Beale from Troon North Golf Club in Arizona, Brian
Steiner from The Gallery Golf Club in Arizona, Scott Winant from Indian
Wells Golf Resort in California, and Brad Jenkins from Colonial Country
Club in Florida.
“Golf
Professional of the Year”
Karl
Whitehead, The Address Montgomerie, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Joining
the team at The Address, Montgomerie Dubai in early 2014, Karl Whitehead
had an immediate impact on the owner relationship, demonstrating his strengths
as a processes-driven manager and commitment to “the numbers.” He has continued
to foster that relationship while making a major impact on the operations
of the facility. Whitehead played major roles in driving sales, seeing
corporate golf increase significantly in 2014, as well as tour operator
business, hotel golf and substantial increases in total revenue per round.
This year’s list of nominees also included Jeff Fitzherbert from BallenIsles
Country Club in Florida, Tim Rafferty from Troon Country Club in Arizona,
Spencer Cody from Sewailo Golf Club in Arizona, and Will Foust from The
Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in California.
“Sales
Professional of the Year”
Nic
Haun, La Paloma Country Club, Arizona
Nic
Haun’s success at La Paloma Country Club has positioned him among the top
sales producers for Troon over the past two years. He generated an impressive
increase in golf membership dues revenues without an annual increase and
also increased group rounds. Haun’s demonstrates creativity in his role
and is excellent at building relationships. He has worked closely with
the hotel sales department to improve cooperation and create new ideas
that has benefited both the club and the entire property. Nominees this
year also included, Doug Sutter from Princeville Makai Golf Club in Hawaii,
Suzanne Morgan from The Club at Cordillera in Colorado, James Leeman from
The Track, Meydan Golf in the United Arab Emirates, and Carly Sostheim
from the St. Joe Properties in Florida.
“Property
Support Associate of the Year”
Jason
Provost, Troon Corporate, Arizona
This
award is to recognize the corporate person who goes above and beyond the
normal day-to-day requirements and shines above all others. Jason Provost
received nominations from five different facilities, all praising him for
the way he jumps into any situation to assist Troon facilities when they
need it most. Provost takes ownership and pride in everything he does,
saving the company money and keeping each property’s best interest in mind
at all times. Other finalists this year were Ronda Gene, Todd Lineberger,
Julia Kelly, and Justin Herr.
“W.I.T.S”
(Walk In Their Shoes) Award
Jerome
Louie, Troon Corporate
While
every job has its challenges, winners of the W.I.T.S. award prove they
are able to rise above and reach unprecedented levels of performance in
difficult situations. This is certainly true of Jerome Louie, who has been
on “temporary assignment” on seven different occasions. His attitude and
commitment demonstrate that he will go wherever he is needed and that he
will fly the Troon flag wherever that may take him. Louie is a true rock
star for the company.
“Award
of Excellence - Facility”
The
Club at Cordillera, Colorado
The
Club at Cordillera was Troon’s “Turnaround Facility of the Year” in 2013
and in 2014, the team was able to build upon their success to advance the
club even further beyond expectations. The team achieved incredible results
in a very challenging year, selling 75 new memberships and improving the
Membership Satisfaction Survey to a positive number for the first time
since re-launching the club just two years ago. They improved top line
sales dramatically and earned a No. 1 course ranking in the state of Colorado.
What the team at Cordillera achieved again in 2014 was truly amazing.
“Award
of Excellence - Individual”
Brian
Merbler, BallenIsles Country Club, Florida
This
award has only been awarded eight other times in Troon’s history and is
set aside for someone who did something extraordinary in the year. With
a tremendous amount of support from peer nominations along with the compelling
support from the BallenIsles board of directors, Brian Merbler was the
overwhelming favorite for this year’s individual award. Merbler’s unwavering
degree of dedication, enthusiasm and creativity has made an irreplaceable
impact on the club. The current president of BallenIsles even stated that
the club is “as hot as ever” because of Merbler’s efforts.
“Troon
Ambassador” Award
Paul
Booth, Director of Club Operations, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, United Arab
Emirates
In
recent years, Paul Booth has arguably been the best promoter of the Troon
brand in the entire company. He is continually looking for ways to creatively
position Troon on the world stage and to help grow the brand by supporting
Troon programs like Troon Rewards. Booth has also demonstrated a characteristic
that is most valued in a Troon Ambassador in his commitment to mentoring
and building up new leaders within Troon.
Troon
“Rock Stars”
Several
evaluation surveys revealed the following top performers in areas of leadership,
member and guest satisfaction, and overall performance.
Associate
Satisfaction (Overall) - Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass, Arizona
Associate
Satisfaction (NPS) - The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa, California
Guest
Satisfaction (Overall) - The Grove, England
Guest
Satisfaction (NPS) - La Paloma Country Club, Arizona
Member
Satisfaction (Overall) - Marin Country Club, California
Member
Satisfaction (NPS) - Pine Canyon Club, Arizona
Troon
Rewards Signups - Troon North Golf Club, Arizona
Troon
Rewards Capture Percentage - Yocha Dehe Golf Club, California
Top
Line Sales Improvement - The Gallery Golf Club, Arizona, and The Club at
Cordillera, Colorado
Membership
Sales (Domestic) - The Club at Cordillera, Colorado
Membership
Sales (International) - Centurion Club, England
Public
Relations (Troon Golf) - Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, Arizona
Public
Relations (Troon Privé) - Manchester Country Club, New Hampshire
Public
Relations (International) - The Els Club, Teluk Datai, Malaysia
Grow
The Game - The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, Georgia
TroonFIT
(Facility) - The Allegria Golf Club, Egypt
Social
Media (Domestic) - Troon North Golf Club, Arizona
Social
Media (International) - Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, United Arab Emirates
Owner
Satisfaction (All 5s and 10 Promoter) - La Paloma Country Club, Arizona;
Poston Butte Golf Club, Arizona; Classic Club, California; Alpine Country
Club, Rhode Island; Yocha Dehe Golf Club, California.
“Congratulations
to this year’s winners and thank you for consistently going above and beyond
to deliver the Troon Experience,” stated John Easterbrook, Troon’s executive
vice president, operations. “Acknowledging these award winners is crucial
to what we do as we pride ourselves on having the industry’s best and brightest
on our team, and these awards confirm just that!”
About
Troon
Headquartered
in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company,
with more than 250 golf courses in its portfolio. Also specializing in
homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management
and associated hospitality venues, the company oversees operations at Troon
Golf®, Honours Golf and Troon Privé properties located in 36
states and 27 countries. Additionally, 53 Troon facilities enjoy a Top
100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon properties
include Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii; Sewailo Golf Club, Tucson, Ariz.; Manchester
Country Club, Bedford, N.H.; The Grove, London, England; and Mazagan Beach
& Golf Resort, El Jadida, Morocco. For more information, visit www.TroonGolf.com,
or connect with Troon on Facebook,
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Instagram,
Google+,
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Golf & Travel.
Contacts:
Brett
Brooks
Troon
480-477-0480 |