Martin Hawtree honoured at IGTOA Awards gala

Winner: Martin Hawtree receives the IGTOA 2019 Jerry Downworth Outstanding Contribution to Golf award from Kyra Donworth and Ricael Kelly of JD Golf and IGTOA sponsor David McCoy, Waterford Crystal.

Architect Martin Hawtree was recognised for his outstanding contribution to golf at the 2019 Gala Irish Golf Awards presented by the IGTOA (Ireland Golf Tour Operator Association) on Monday.

He received the Jerry Donworth Trophy at The Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee, joining Wilma Erskin, Pádraig Harrington, Pat Ruddy, Christy O’Connor Senior, Christy O’Connor Jnr, Mary McKenna and Noel Cronin on the list of prestigious winners.

The official welcome to the gala black-tie event was made by Denis Kane, Chairman of the IGTOA and Brendan Griffin, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism.

Liam Murphy received the 2019 Golf Manager of the Year Award for his work at Co. Louth Golf Club. Royal Portrush Golf Club was voted 2019 Links Golf Course of the Year while the 2019 Parkland Golf Course of the Year award went to The Golf Course at Adare Manor.

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg won the 2019 Golf Resort of the Year award.

IGTOA 2019 BOUTIQUE GOLF HOTEL OF THE YEARWinner: Teach de BrocAccepting the Award: Aoife Brock and Dermot BrockPresented by IGTOA Member Barry Keane Irish Pro Golf Tours & IGTOA Sponsor Noeleen Furlong, Hertz

IGTOA 2019 LARGE GOLF HOTEL OF THE YEARWinner: Grand Central Hotel, BelfastAccepting the Award: Stephen Meldrum, General ManagerPresented by IGTOA Member Ron Smartt, Travelling The Fairways & IGTOA Sponsor Leanne Rice, Tourism Northern Ireland

IGTOA 2019 LINKS GOLF COURSE OF THE YEARWinner: Royal Portrush Golf Club, Co. AntrimAccepting the Award: Gary McNeill (Club Professional) and Dr Robert Brady (Immediate Past Captain)Presented by IGTOA Member Garreth Cooke, Links Golf & IGTOA Sponsor Brenda Johnson, Tourism Ireland

IGTOA 2019 PARKLAND GOLF COURSE OF THE YEARWinner: Adare Manor Golf Club, Co. LimerickAccepting the Award: CEO Colm Hannon, Andy McMahon (Director of Golf Operations) and Ben Dickens(Golf Sales Manager). Presented by IGTOA Member Jerry Quinlan, Celtic Golf & IGTOA Sponsor Donal McEvoy, Ping.

IGTOA 2019 JERRY DOWNWORTH OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO GOLF Winner: Martin HawtreePresented by IGTOA Member Kyra Donworth and Ricael Kelly of JD Golf and IGTOA Sponsor David McCoy, Waterford Crystal.

IGTOA 2019 GOLF RESORT OF THE YEARWinner: Trump Doonbeg, Co. ClareAccepting the Award: Joe Russell, General Manager and Marie Collins, Sales Manager Presented by IGTOA Member Rachel OÕNeill and Svenja Burmeister, Carr Golf & IGTOA Sponsor Donal McEvoy, Ping

IGTOA 2019 GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEARWinner: Mr Liam Murphy, Co. Louth Golf ClubPresented by IGTOA Member Cathal O Donoghue, Speciality Ireland & IGTOA Sponsor Chris Shiel, Executive Helicopters

The IGTOA Service Excellence Ð Golf CourseWinner: The K ClubAccepting the Award: John Costelloe, Director of SalesPresented by IGTOA Member John Baker, Haversham and Baker

The IGTOA Service Excellence Ð Service ProviderWinner: Kinsale LimosAccepting the Award: Damian Hanrahan, Cathy Byrnes and Joanne LewisPresented by IGTOA Member Pierce Wall, Ireland Golf

The IGTOA Service Excellence Ð PropertyWinner: Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, KillarneyAccepting the award: Niall Coffey, General Manager and Trish Covarr Director of Sales and MarketingPresented by IGTOA Member Eamonn Kennelly Golf Vacations Ireland

The Grand Central Hotel Belfast won the 2019 Large Golf Hotel of the Year Award while Teach de Broc accepted the award for the 2019 Boutique Golf Hotel of the Year.

The IGTOA also recognised 2019’s Service Excellence in three categories with Aghadoe Heights Hotel, Killarney receiving Service Excellence – Property award.

Kinsale Limos won the Service Excellence – Service Provider award while the Service Excellence – Golf Club award went to The K Club.

The Gala Irish Golf Awards are held annually as part of a two-day event which included the National Golf Tourism Conference, which was held at the Rose Hotel in Tralee on Sunday

The annual Golf Classic took place at Ballybunion Golf Club on Monday

The IGTOA National Golf Tourism Conference & Gala Irish Golf Awards is the largest annual gathering of Irish Golf Tourism Industry professionals.

Attended by representatives from leading international golf and tourism organisations such as Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, the event was also supported by Kerry County Council and Tralee Chamber Alliance, Hertz, Ping, Waterford Crystal, Irish Golfer/Match Play Media, Executive Helicopters, Kerry Coaches, O’Callaghan’s Coaches, ENO Wines and iDirect.

2019 Gala Irish Golf Awards presented by the IGTOA

• IGTOA 2019 Service Excellence – Property — Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, Killarney

• IGTOA 2019 Service Excellence – Service Provider — Kinsale Limos

• IGTOA 2019 Service Excellence – Golf Course — The K Club

• IGTOA 2019 LARGE GOLF HOTEL OF THE YEAR — Grand Central Hotel, Belfast

• IGTOA 2019 BOUTIQUE GOLF HOTEL OF THE YEAR — Teach de Broc

• 2019 LINKS GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR — Royal Portrush Golf Club, Co. Antrim

• PARKLAND GOLF COURSE OF THE YEAR — The Golf Course at Adare Manor, Co. Limerick

• 2019 GOLF RESORT OF THE YEAR — Winner: Trump Doonbeg, Co. Clare

• IGTOA 2019 GOLF MANAGER OF THE YEAR —  Mr Liam Murphy, Co. Louth Golf Club

• 2019 JERRY DOWNWORTH OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO GOLF — Martin Hawtree