Ardglass pro Paul Vaughan crowned TGI Golf Partner of the Year

Just three years after being named New Partner of the Year at the annual TGI Golf Awards, Paul Vaughan has collected the most sought-after award, Partner of the Year.

The Ardglass PGA Professional took the top honour at the prestigious Trump Turnberry Resort at a glamorous gala dinner to honour to the top Partners and Suppliers from golf’s leading retail services group.

PING took the top honours in the Supplier section, picking up the Partner Supplier of the Year award for the fourth year in a row.

Vaughan, who became the first Irishman to win the Partner of the Year award, saw off competition from fellow nominees Gordon Cattrell (Middlesbrough GC), Stuart Callan (Bathgate) and Jon Earl (Ifield).

He said: “It’s an amazing feeling to have won this award just three years after becoming a partner. How have I done it? I just keep my head down, work hard and keep evolving, introducing new things to the business and being open to change, you have to be willing to change to become the best you can be.

“The team I have at Ardglass have played a huge part in me winning this award, I would be lost without them. It’s key as PGA Professionals that we give our assistants an element of ownership of the business, if you have faith and trust in them to do what they want then they will help you take your business forward.

“At Ardglass we place a big emphasis on talking to the customer, not just in store but through email marketing and social media too, they have both been huge for us. We believe that if you’re not talking to your customers then someone else is.”

Other Partner award winners included Simon Hanson from Kemnay Golf Club who took home the New Partner of the Year award, Howley Hall PGA Pro Ryan Rastall picked up Pro Shop of the Year and Stuart Disney from The Mendip Golf Club added the Most Improved Business award to an impressive collection of accolades he has won in recent years.

PING once again walked off with two awards, adding Product of the Year for the G400 Driver to its Supplier of the Year award.

All supplier awards are decided via the group’s annual Supplier Survey where its Partners from across the UK & Ireland score the brands on a variety of categories including Product Quality, Customer Service and Delivery Times.

PING has now won five times overall, winning every year bar one since the inception of the TGI Golf Awards in 2013.

John Clark, PING Managing Director, said: “Firstly a huge thank you to every Partner of TGI Golf. Over many years we have forged a great relationship and the Supplier of the Year award is one of things that touch every part of the business so a huge thank you to everyone at PING – the Solheim family, everyone in the office from marketing and sales down to the guys who build the clubs.”

For the first time ever there were joint winners of the Product of the Year award with Callaway also recognised for the success of the Rogue Driver.

It was a double for Callaway too as they were crowned Hardware Supplier of the Year, while Peter Millar took the award for Apparel Supplier of the Year.

Eddie Reid, TGI Golf Managing Director, added: “The stunning surroundings of the iconic Trump Turnberry was the perfect setting for our awards night. Over the years this event has grown to become a true benchmark of quality for both suppliers and Partners, which is clear to see when you listen to what it means to the winners.

“Congratulations to everyone who walked away with an award and to the team at TGI Golf who once again put on an amazing evening.”

For more information on the TGI Golf Partnership visit tgigolf.com.

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As an avid golfer since the age of eleven Dan lives and breathes all things golf.  With a current handicap of eleven he gets out and plays as often as his work life (and girlfriend) allows. Dan confesses to still being like a kid at Christmas when it comes to seeing the latest golf equipment. Having served as GolfPunk’s Deputy Editor, and resident golf geek for the past 13 years and working for golf's oldest brand, John Letters Dan brings to GOLF RETAILING an excellent understanding of the sector.