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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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“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, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Blog, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Golf & Travel.

Contacts:
Brett Brooks
Troon
480-477-0480