Best course title win for St Fillans
A picturesque Perthshire golf course was named the best of its kind in the country at a top awards ceremony.
St Fillans Golf Club beat off stiff competition from three other nominated venues to claim the Best 9-Hole Course title at the Scottish Golf Tourism Awards, which were held at the Fairmont St Andrews resort in Fife on October 31.
A 12-strong delegation from the local club attended the glittering ceremony and the bulk of the party watched on in delight as manager Gordon Hibbert, captain Colin Simmons, greenkeeper John Myles and fellow member Fraser Ballantyne took to the stage to receive the coveted accolade – voted for by members of the public – from well-known Scottish broadcaster David Tanner, who was performing the role of MC on the night.
Gordon, who has been associated with St Fillans GC for 25 years, said the recognition was “the icing on the cake” following a year which has seen the venue buck the trend and boost both its membership and visitor numbers.
Describing the victory as “fantastic news”, he continued: “We found out we had been nominated two weeks before the ceremony – we lived in hope because we were confident we had a good chance and are all just delighted that we won it on the night.
“We are grateful to everyone who voted for us. It has been a really great year for St Fillans because we’ve increased our membership and our visitor numbers have gone up – so to win this is the icing on the cake.”
Gordon continued: “There have been a lot of changes at the club over the years but it is very much a team effort and I would say everyone involved in running the club is at the peak of their game.
“I don’t think it’s being over-confident to say we’ve got a great product at St Fillans, people like coming here, and it’s a case of success breeding success. I enjoy coming in to work.”
St Fillans – a favourite of two-time Major winner Sandy Lyle – was up against courses in Anstruther, Edzell and Blairgowrie Golf Club’s Wee Course in the category.
And Gordon added the exposure gained at the ceremony, held as part of Scottish Golf Tourism Week, could tee-up further growth in the future.
He went on: “It was a great night – the meal was excellent and the whole thing ran like clockwork.
“There were lots of golf tour operators there and a chance to network.
“I’m in the process of contacting them all and telling them all about St Fillans and what we’ve got on offer here, which can only be good for the club in the future.”
The awards night was staged by PSP Media Group, supported by VisitScotland and Scottish Enterprise.
Perthshire’s Gleneagles Hotel also celebrated success and were crowned winner of the Best Large Hotel (50 rooms or more).
Tom Lovering, the director of Scottish Golf Tourism Week, said: “I would like to extend my thanks to all the businesses and tour operators who have come together from across the world to make Scottish Golf Tourism Week 2019 a huge success.
“The event is now firmly established as Scotland’s key golf tourism legacy event, showcasing the very best of the country’s golf product to a global audience and creating lasting benefits for the economy as a result.”