The Asian Golf industry tuned in to celebrate with their peers and colleagues, as 59club Asia announced the winners of their highly coveted Service Excellence Awards, during the regions second annual awards event.
Watch Streaming took place across 59club social media channels and the host; 59club Asia’s Director of Operations; Araya Singhsuwan, also invited the main award sponsors - Asian Tour Destinations; an invaluable network of premiere golf venues, and Beyond Green Co, Ltd; the official Club Car and parts supplier for Thailand, Lao and Cambodia – to co-host proceedings, as 59club’s best service providers were recognised across the region.
Amongst the highly sought-after individual award titles, it was Thana City Country Club who kicked off the celebrations with Dararat Sukrung crowned 'Golf Retail Manager of the Year’.
Thai Country Club had lots to celebrate after securing a trio of individual wins, with Chavalit Surangsee, claiming ‘Golf Manager of the Year’, Niphon Siangfung awarded Green Keeper of the year, and, Pitchayapak Chamchakrachang adding the ‘Food & Beverage Team of the Year’ accolade to the collection.
As proceedings unfolded, Thana City Country Club claimed a second victory, this time in the Team stakes, earning the property the enviable title 'Golf Operations Team of the Year'. Leading the Thana City team to victory, Mr. Pongtorn Rungseang, Golf Operations Team Manager said, “This achievement is hugely motivational for my team and also for me personally, and supported by the work we do with 59club Asia, we will continue to achieve the highest levels of service delivery for our members and guest”.
Always a highlight of proceedings; 59club’s Industry Benchmark of excellence, it’s Gold, Silver and Bronze Flag Designations, which recognise member clubs’ and resorts that provide excellent facilities for golfers to enjoy, as well as having achieved the required standard of customer service throughout the year.
This year 59club Asia went on to present six flag designations, which saw Mr. Kiattisak Ketsiri from Riverdale Golf Club of the MBK Group, lead his team to proudly earn a Bronze Flag Award in the Golf Resort category for the first time, after only a year working with 59club Asia.
Talking of their success; Mr. Kiattisak of Riverdale Golf Club stated that “59club Asia’s Mystery Shopping Audit program has helped the team to monitor their performance, exceptionally well, which made the entire team feel more complete with their service delivery and development”.
There were more celebrations when Cambodia’s Angkor Golf Resort retained their Bronze Flag Award status, also within the Golf Resort Category, one of the most iconic clubs from Singapore, Sentosa Golf Club led by Mr. Andy Johnston, General Manager of the club retained their Bronze Flag status for the second time, whilst further improving the overall experience at the club.
Another highlight to this year’s industry’s Oscars saw newcomer; Laguna Golf Phuket earn Silver Flag status in the Golf Resort Category, in only their first year of working with 59club Asia. Mr. Darren Michael Robson, the properties Director of Golf, commented; “the team has never been prouder to receive such a highly regarded industry award, and that it is a great recognition of the hard work from the whole golf team at Laguna Golf Phuket”.
Thai Country Club proved again that they continue to be an industry leader, securing their 3rd consecutive Gold Flag Award within the Private Club category. Their Director of Golf, Mr. Chavalit said; “the team take great pride in delivering excellent service to every golfer. The team are always very open to improve and dedicate themselves to exceed the expectations of their golfers each and every day”.
And finally, Thana City Country Club showed significant improvement in their service standards going from Silver Flag status last year, to achieving the prestigious Gold Flag Award within Golf Resort Club category in this year ceremony.
Commenting on Thana City’s success, Mr. Surapan, Executive General Manager said “We are very pleased to receive this prestigious Flag award. This time is even better as we increased our status to Gold, we feel that this accolade is very honourable, and we made the right decision to engage 59club Asia’s services in order to support the club’s service development.”
All awards presented in 59club Asia’s Service Excellence Awards are determined by scores collected from its impartial mystery shopping audits, which evaluate the experience afforded to visiting golfers and prospective members, in accordance with objective benchmarking criteria. They represent all areas of the business: sales, service, operations, retail, golf course condition and presentation, food and beverage and management, with honours intended to recognise & reward the industries finest for having achieved the highest standards of service and sales etiquette throughout the year.
Araya Singhsuwan, 59club Asia Director of Operations said; “It’s a privilege to work with such prestigious properties across the Asian region, and I am excited to continue supporting and rewarding those individuals, teams and managers who strive to maintain the highest standards of customer service and sales excellence”.
Award Winners
59club Asia’s 2nd Annual Service Excellence Awards; Individual, Team and Flag Awards sponsored by Asian Tour Destination and Beyond Green Company Limited
Individual & Team Winners
Food & Beverage Team of The Year: Thai Country Club (represent by Miss Pichayapak Chamkrachang, F&B Manager)
Golf Operations Team of the Year: Thana City Country Club (represent by Mr. Pongtorn Rungseang, Golf Operations Team Manager)
Golf Retail Manager of the Year: Miss Dararat Sukrung (from Thana City Country Club)
Greenkeeper of the Year: Mr. Niphon Siangfoong (from Thai Country Club)
Golf Manager of the Year: Mr. Chavalit Surangsee (from Thai Country Club)
Flag Designations
Bronze Flag Winners (Golf Resort):
- Angkor Golf Resort (Siem Reap, Cambodia)
- Riverdale Golf Club (Nonthaburi, Thailand),
Bronze Flag Winners (Private Club):
- Sentosa Golf Club (Sentosa, Singapore)
Silver Flag Winners (Golf Resort)
- Laguna Golf Phuket (Phuket, Thailand)
Gold Flag Winners (Golf Resort)
- Thana City Country Club (Samutprakarn, Thailand)
Gold Flag Winners (Private Club)
- Thai Country Club (Chachoengsao, Thailand)
A big thank you to our award sponsors & industry partners; we trust you all enjoy our virtual celebration!