EARL VALLEY GOLF ESTATE has won international recognition, receiving two prestigious awards.
The course was named a PMR Diamond Arrow Award winner by PMR.africa, an industry-leading benchmarking organisation.
PMR.africa evaluates businesses based upon interviews with 30 000 top decision-makers annually in every country where it has a presence, to produce customer ratings, strengths and weaknesses of businesses.
With a score equivalent to outstanding-plus (4.44 out of a maximum 5.00), Pearl Valley Golf Estates achieved the highest rating of any golf course in the Western Cape.
Johan Hattingh, CEO of PMR.africa, said:
“Pearl Valley Golf Estates is a stunning venue for a golf course – and the investments being made in it are creating a world-class development. It is a fitting winner of the Diamond Arrow Award.”
In the same week, Pearl Valley Golf Estates’ General Manager Ken Kosak won the Ambassador Award at the 2008 Troon Golf Management Conference, which took place at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.
The “best of the best” awards at the event recognised Troon Golf’s star performers from among the 190 courses which it manages worldwide.
Troon Golf is the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing, and was appointed to manage Pearl Valley Golf Estates by the new Dubai-based owners Leisurecorp in July.
Bruce Glasco, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa Division for Troon Golf, said: “The Ambassador Award is given only to those who are truly passionate about what they do and to those who represent the Troon Golf culture.
“Ken lives and breathes the company’s Guiding Principles and is the perfect example of what the Troon brand represents.
“Ken has had a fantastic impact upon Pearl Valley Golf Estates since he arrived in September and we’re pleased to be able to recognise that.”
David Spencer, Chief Executive of Golf at Pearl Valley Golf Estates’ parent company, Leisurecorp, said he was delighted at the recognition: “When we acquired Pearl Valley Golf Estates, we promised that we would invest to create one of the leading residential golf estates in the world.
“Less than a year in, I believe our investment and commitment is starting to show real results – and this week’s awards are a good example of that.
“I am particularly pleased at the recognition of Ken’s hard work. He fully deserves the recognition of his peers at Troon Golf.”
Ken is native of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and brings with him more than 15 years of experience in the golf and hospitality industry.
During the last ten years, Ken has been based in the Caribbean and the Middle East, managing some of the world’s most luxurious golf clubs and resorts on behalf of Troon Golf.
Before moving to Pearl Valley, Ken’s stellar career included three and a half years as General Manager of the award-winning The Montgomerie, Dubai.
