Facelift for Golf Industry Oscars
Golf Tourism Scotland (GTS), the voice of the Scottish golf industry, has announced a series of new honours to be handed out at its seventh annual Gold Standard Awards dinner. This red-carpet event, which will take place on Thursday 1st November at The Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh, has become the highlight of Scotland 's golf calendar with a host of golf businesses vying to secure a coveted Gold Standard Award.
This year sees some exciting developments with 14 awards up for grabs - three more than at previous ceremonies. Among the new awards are the International Golf Tour Operator of the Year; the GTS Gold Star Award and two Golf Course of The Year Awards; one for green fees under £75, and the other for greenfees over £75.
"The 2012 GTS Gold Standard Awards will certainly be one to savour," said Lee Derrick, chairman of GTS. "It is a chance for the industry to let its hair down and celebrate the hard work and achievements of those who contribute so much. With three new categories up for grabs, we are looking to recognise an even broader range of golf businesses that have gone above and beyond the call of duty."
The new awards have been introduced to reflect the growing diversity within the golf tourism sector, with new titles for tour operators and golf courses. In the case of the GTS Gold Star Award, the industry is being given the opportunity to reward an individual, rather than a company, for their hard work and unwavering dedication to golf in Scotland .
"The Gold Standards Awards have become the benchmark for success within the golf tourism sector," continued Derrick. "Our new awards continue in this vain with the introduction of new categories for international and domestic tour operators and golf courses operating at different price points. The GTS Gold Star Award opens up the floor to anyone who has shown outstanding enthusiasm and commitment to the golf industry generally. It's an inclusive approach that will reward the very best in Scotland , and provide the basis for a spectacular night."
Nominees are also being called on for the more established titles of this year's top transport and golf tour operators, golf secretariats and caddiemasters. In addition, Scotland 's best golf hotels will be honoured as will the recipients of the GTS Lifetime Achievement Award and the acclaimed Young Industry Person Award.
The process for this year's nominations is open, and with less than two months to go until the results are revealed, GTS members and the public are being given the opportunity to recommend organisations and individuals they believe should go forward to the voting stage. Nominations can be made up until Monday 24th September at 10am.
The winners will be announced at the gala evening on Thursday 1st November at The Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club, Edinburgh. "We are delighted to be hosting the 2012 GTS Gold Standard Awards gala dinner," said Craig Irving, director of sales and marketing at Dalmahoy. "It is an exciting time for golf tourism in Scotland with the Open Championship being held here in two of the next three years and, of course, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014. We look forward to hosting what will surely be an exciting evening at Dalmahoy."