Walton Heath Golf Club landed the Team of the Year prize at the GCMA Member Awards, much to the delight of CEO Alex Woodward
Winning the Team of the Year prize at the GCMA Member Awards was fitting recognition at the end of an excellent year for Walton Heath Golf Club, according to CEO Alex Woodward.
The Surrey club, which boasts two outstanding heathland courses, played host to the 2023 AIG Women’s Open, attracting glowing praise for its presentation and organisation.
Woodward was among a healthy contingent of attendees from Walton Heath at the GCMA 2023 Conference, where he and his team scooped the Team of the Year honour.
Reflecting on the achievement, he said: “To win an award that recognises the work of the whole team – and we have over 70 employees at Walton Heath – is just fantastic.
“To be judged by your peers as Team of the Year in a year where the GCMA Conference theme was team culture is pretty special.”
It was a busy year for the team, with a range of high-profile events and plenty happening off the course too, but Woodward cited the AIG Women’s Open as a clear highlight.
“We had a full clubhouse refurbishment, we hosted U.S. Open qualifying for the USGA, and we hosted the 100th anniversary Surrey Men’s Amateur for Surrey Golf.
“But the AIG Women’s Open was the pinnacle of the year and everything built up to that. To welcome the very best women golfers in the world to come and play your course is a huge thrill.
“For them to be looked after and given a true Walton Heath experience, while recognising the huge contributions from The R&A, was fantastic.”
Woodward and his team will certainly not be resting on their laurels as they look ahead to 2024.
“We mentioned team culture and when you have that, there is no finish line – you’re always striving for more. We’ve not reached a finish line, we’ve just moved to a new chapter and we’ll head into the new year with an invigorated team and a culture that has been fittingly recognised by this award.”
