Congratulations to the all of the new winners and the few that claimed repeat titles in this year’s celebration.
A selection of the golf and club industry’s very best Clubs and Operators descended on The Albany Club and The Vancouver Club last week with the hope of claiming an industry ‘Oscar’ at 59club Canada’s third annual Service Excellence Awards.
A wonderful keynote by Coach Lora Caven followed by some practical solutions shared by industry leaders, ended with a glittering awards ceremony honouring the finest customer service providers for having achieved the highest standards of excellence across 2025.
59club’s illustrious accolades are determined by scores collected from their impartial mystery shopping audits, which evaluate the experience afforded to visiting golfers and prospective members, in accordance with 59club’s objective benchmarking criteria. On the two nights, 59club presented eight awards across different categories, recognizing ‘service excellence’ across all areas of the businesses – sales, service, operations, retail, golf course, food & beverage and management. With 59club continuing to reflect the very best performances, regardless of a venue’s size, scale or profile.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club took home three achievements; Retail Manager of the Year, Golf Operation Manager of the Year and Golf Manager of the Year (public/resort), while retaining a coveted Gold Flag from last year.
The Pinebrook Golf & Country Club also took home three crystal pieces; Most Improved Golf Experience (tied with Fairwinds Golf Club), Food & Beverage Manager of the Year and Golf Manager of the Year (private)
It was a pleasure to a growing number of clubs in attendance and multiple team members from turf and admin staff on this joyous evening. Some awards are individually awarded but more often than not they’re shared among the entire department. Team spirit is what these evenings are all about.
59club’s Industry Benchmark of excellence, its Gold, Silver and Bronze Flag Designations, are always a highlight of proceedings. These highly prized accolades recognize member clubs’ and resorts that provide excellent facilities for golfers to enjoy, as well as having achieved the required standard of customer service throughout 2025.
Criteria to attain a Gold Flag increases in difficulty each and every year and this year, 59club Canada presented seven ‘Gold Flags’. The deserving winners were: Cataraqui Golf & Country Club, Essex Golf & Country Club, Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club, La Vallee du Richelieu Golf Club, Pinebrook Golf & Country Club, Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Sarnia Golf & Curling Club
“We are truly honored to receive the 59club Gold Flag Award, a recognition of our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and experiences for our members and guests. This achievement reflects not only the dedication and passion of our incredible staff—who continually go above and beyond to create a welcoming environment, deliver outstanding hospitality, and maintain world-class facilities—but also the invaluable support from 59club, whose mystery shopper program and service training provided the insights and guidance needed to reach this standard of excellence.” – Glenn Phillips, Sarnia Golf & Curling Club
Silver Flags went to Camelot Golf & Country Club, Cutten Fields, Donalda Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, and The Thornhill Club while Bronze Flags were picked up by nine venues including; Belvedere Golf & Country Club, Fairwinds Golf Club, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Kananaskis Country Golf Course, McKenzie Meadows Golf Club, Mickelson National Golf Club, Peninsula Lakes Golf Club, The Club at North Halton and Riverside Country Club (Saint John).
Other prestigious award winners on the night included Mike Van Sickle, Royal Ottawa Golf Club, who took home the Superintendent of the Year and Fairwinds Golf Club with a very impressive, Most Improved Golf Experience Award.
To recognize venues which have shown continued commitment to engage, analyze and enrich their member and guest experience, utilizing a collateral of survey tools across 59club’s software platform, a ‘Service Excellence’ designation was awarded to Hamilton Golf & Country Club for the third year in a row! A very impressive feat.
For more information on 59club, visit www.59club.com
Full list of award winners can be seen below;
Gold Flag Designations
Cataraqui Golf & Country Club, Essex Golf & Country Club, Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club, La Vallee du Richelieu Golf Club, Pinebrook Golf & Country Club, Royal Ottawa Golf Club and Sarnia Golf & Curling Club
Silver Flag Designations
Camelot Golf & Country Club, Cutten Fields, Donalda Club, Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, and The Thornhill Club
Bronze Flag Designations
Belvedere Golf & Country Club, Fairwinds Golf Club, Gorge Vale Golf Club, Kananaskis Country Golf Course, McKenzie Meadows Golf Club, Mickelson National Golf Club, Peninsula Lakes Golf Club, The Club at North Halton and Riverside Country Club (Saint John)
Golf Manager of the Year (public/resort)
Steven Young, Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club
Golf Manager of the Year (private)
Ryan Woods, Pinebrook Golf & Country Club
Superintendent of the Year
Mike Van Sickle, Royal Ottawa Golf Club
Food and Beverage Manager of the Year
Ryan Kernaghan, Pinebrook Golf & Country Club
Golf Retail Manager of the Year
Andrew Szewczuk, Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club
Golf Operations Team of the Year
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Club
my59 Survey Service Excellence Award
Hamilton Golf & Country Club
Most Improved Golf Experience (tie)
Pinebook Golf & Country Club
Fairwinds Golf Club
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