INVgolf: The Grove named best-managed golf venue of 2005

"A man's feet must be
planted in his country,
but his eyes should
survey the world." --
George Santayana

INVgolf: The Grove named best-managed golf venue of 2005

INVgolf Names Honorees for 2005 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Awards

July 7, 2005 -- Scottsdale, Arizona-based Troon Golf®, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing is pleased to announce that it has been recognised by INVgolf at the organisation's 2005 Investment Forum, with the "INVgolf Award for Best Management of a Golf Venue (The Grove) in the EMEA Region 2005." The forum, which took place recently in Turkey, was attended by developers and leading experts from 20 countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

According to INVgolf, 'London's Country Estate' is a prime example that golf course management -- if carried out in a professional, integrated and clever way -- can be profitable and save time, money and other resources for the owner/investors, and indeed add value to a golf course and its surrounding amenities.

"As co-chair of INVgolf 2005, I am personally absolutely delighted that this award has gone to Troon Golf for the hard efforts that they have put into establishing The Grove as one of the leading destination golf clubs in England," Martin Armitstead, Director of Hotels, RH International, said. "The awarding panel was very impressed with the standards of the course and the very high standard of service and experience provided by the staff and management and I would like to extend their congratulations to the whole Troon Golf management team."

About The Grove

From the day it opened in September 2003, The Grove -- known as 'London's Country Estate' -- has been in the spotlight. The former home of the Earls of Clarendon has been transformed into a contemporary country estate, with not only the 18-hole golf course, but also a five-star luxury hotel and spa, surrounded by 300 acres of private grounds. The Grove blends wide-open spaces with contemporary interiors while maintaining the centuries-old aura left by many ancestors of the estate.

The magnificent golf course, the work of Kyle Phillips, quickly received high praise from experts and enthusiasts who have seen its layout. The legendary Gary Player played the course last summer and commented: "The Grove is without doubt one of the finest public facilities I have ever seen anywhere in the world." The course follows the slopes, ridges and mounds that occur naturally within The Grove's local landscape. Despite this traditional appearance, the course, at a par 72, 7,152 yards, makes few concessions to modernity.
Owned by Ralph Trustees and situated at Chandlers Cross, Hertfordshire close to Heathrow airport and central London, The Grove is the recipient of the much-coveted AA Hotel of the Year Award for England 2004-2005 and was also awarded a place in Conde Nast Traveler's HOT LIST of the best new hotels in the world, both in the UK and the United States.

About Troon Golf

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf manages operations at more than 160 courses located in 27 states and 18 countries. Additionally, 31 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include Palmilla Golf Club, Los Cabos, Mexico; The Montgomerie Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Monarch Beach Golf Links, Dana Point, Calif.; Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort, Biwabik, Minn.; Haig Point, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina; and The Westin Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Source: http://www.troongolf.com/company/press_room/story/278.php.