Tony Jacklin honoured at IAGTO Awards

Two-time major champion and Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin has scooped the honorary accolade at the International Association of Golf Tour Operators Awards in Portugal

Tony Jacklin

Europe's most successful Ryder Cup captain Tony Jacklin has been handed the Honourary Award at the International Association of Golf Tour Operators Awards, which took place during this week's International Golf Travel Market in Portugal.

The two-time major champion was a guest of honour at the gala dinner - staged at the Tivoli Marina Hotel in Villamoura - which concluded this year's event.

Almost 13,000 representatives from 47 countries visited the Algarve for the most successful IGTM to date.

The Supplier of the Year accolade went to Onyria Resorts, with America's Marriott Sawgrass and Morocco's Mazagan Resort among several venues winning awards (full list below).

"IGTM provides an accurate representation of the golf travel industry's performance and its future prospects," said Peter Grimster, Exhibition Manager at Reed Travel Exhibitions.

"This year we have seen record numbers of scheduled appointments, and with figures increasing year on year, IGTM continues to be a platform not only to celebrate successes, but to create opportunities for future achievement with the industry."

Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO, added: "More than 450 golf tour operators from 59 different countries cast their votes for these prestigious awards, taking into account many important factors, including customer satisfaction, quality of golf courses and accommodation, value for money a support fro the local tourism industry.

"The awards highlight the strength within the golf travel industry - celebrating successes and encouraging destinations across the world to hep their industry grow."

Golf Destination of the Year:

- Europe - Gran Canaria - Asia and Australasia - Vietnam - North America - Monterey Country - South America and Caribbean - Dominican Republic - Africa and Middle East - Dubai Golf Resort of the Year:

- Europe - Terre Blanche Resort, France - North America - Marriott Sawgrass, Florida - Rest of the World - Mazagan Resort, Morocco

IAGTO Supplier of the Year:

- Onyria Resorts IAGTO Honorary Awards:

- Tony Jacklin

For more information about IGTM, visit www.igtm.co.uk. For more information about the IAGTO Awards, visit www.iagto.com.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x