A Texas fort and a Hawaiian sunset tour were selected as the first-place winners in the second annual Golf Inc. Best New Amenities competition.
The Fort, a unique indoor-outdoor recreational facility at Bluejack National Golf Club in Montgomery, Texas, was the top finisher in the Private Club category. The Sunset Golf Cart Tour at Princeville Makai Golf Club on the Hawaiian island of Kauai was the winner in the Public-Resort Course category.
“Clubs today are focused on adding amenities and facilities that increase their appeal to a broader range of customers,” Golf Inc. Editor-In-Chief Jack Crittenden said. “Our annual competition is designed to recognize the private clubs and courses that are embracing innovative concepts in amenities that go well beyond traditional activities such as golf and tennis.”
Entries were judged on how well each amenity achieved its goals, as well as on aesthetics and financial benefit to its club. Full descriptions of all the winning amenities are included in the September-October issue of Golf Inc. magazine.
Bluejack National’s The Fort is a Disney-like indoor-outdoor facility that offers members and guests and unprecedented package of amenities that is part of a 755-acre playground for the entire family. The Fort includes a resort-style swimming pool, 150-foot water slide, basketball courts, a canoeing and fishing lake, bowling lanes, shuffleboard courts, media room, game room and burger grill and bar.
Other honorees in the Private Club category were:
- Second: Wellness Center, Troon Country Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Third: Pool Facilities, The Country Club at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Honorable Mention: Fitness Center, Loblolly, Hobe Sound, Fla.,
- Honorable Mention: River Club, Callawassie Island Members Club, Okatie, S.C.
The Sunset Golf Cart Tour at Princeville Makai takes advantage of the views that earned the resort recognition as one of the five most scenic golf course settings in the world. Guests can sign up for the 90-minute late afternoon excursion aboard golf carts that not only provides a spectacular bluff-top setting for viewing the Pacific Ocean sunset, but includes a guided tour of some of the island’s flora, wildlife and geographic landmarks.
Other winners in the Public-Resort Course category were:
- Second: Great Northern Spa, Great Northern Golf Club, Kerteminde, Denmark
- Third: Camp Long Creek, Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Mo.
Judges for the event included Golf Inc. editors, longtime club management professional Frank Benzakour and international business marketing executive and consultant Justin Jones.