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England Golf Awards 2023: Memorable night for 3 Players 1st clients

Players 1st attended the England Golf Awards 2023 after two years of virtual award ceremonies. With Clare Balding poised at the lectern to present the inspiring initiatives spread into 11 categories, the evening only got even better as three Players 1st clients were amongst the nominees.

Lucas Balleby
March 3, 2023

Attendees from the nominated clubs, sponsors, and wider industry guests could enjoy the occasion and the grandeur of the England Golf Awards 2023 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate in March this year.  

One of the lucky guests to walk the red carpet this year was Amelia Lewis, UK Regional Manager at Players 1st, who was particularly excited about two categories up for grabs on the night. 

As a partner of England Golf since 2018, we are always interested in seeing how people keep finding ways to improve their club and the game of golf. This year, we especially kept an eye on the categories the Club of the Year and the Sustainability Project of the Year, as three of our clients were among the exciting nominees.
Amelia Lewis, regional UK manager at Players 1st

Players 1st clients were among the strong field of nominees

Seckford Golf Club was nominated in the category Club of the Year. At the same time, the two nominees for the Sustainability Project of the Year, Bigbury Golf Club and The Mendip Golf Club, both yearned to be the sole winner of the trophy in their category. 

The coveted award in the Club of the Year category went to the Players 1st client Seckford Golf Club, who got the prestigious title for several incredible achievements. One of the reasons was their tremendous membership growth from 400 to over 1,000 members in three years. The club, based in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, has also significantly improved its youth and female sections lately. 

Winning England Golf’s Club of the Year award is, comfortably, the proudest day in Seckford Golf Club’s history. Making the changes to improve diversity and promote inclusivity have not always been easy, but utilizing Players 1st has been an invaluable tool to, initially, show where we needed to improve and, recently, to validate that the changes made have been to the benefit of the membership.
Jon Anderton, Chairman at Seckford Golf Club

The winning club had a core message for the golf industry as well. 

“Most importantly, winning the Club of the Year award has given Fore-Get-Me-Not, our dementia awareness and support days, national exposure. The hope, and the very positive early signs, are that the golfing community will be at the forefront of providing support for sufferers of dementia and will help to make the world a slightly better place,” Jon Anderton continued. 

Seckford Golf Club, a Players 1st client, won the Club of the Year award at the England Golf Awards 2023.
Seckford Golf Club at the England Golf Awards 2023. Photo: England Golf.

The celebration of Players 1st clients did not end here, as Bigbury Golf Club won the Sustainability Project of the Year. Having embarked on a positive environmental campaign, the club has reduced its chemical consumption by 55% and aims to be self-sufficient in energy by 2025.They have also planted over 900 new trees around the course and recently banned plastic tees at the club. 

Bigbury Golf Club won the award for the Sustainability Project of the Year at England Golf Awards 2023.
Bigbury Golf Club won the award for the Sustainability Project of the Year at England Golf Awards 2023. Photo: England Golf.

On receiving the award, Bigbury Golf also had a message for other golf clubs.  

All clubs should look at these aspects (of sustainability) to improve them. It is not easy, and it needs funding, and that is one thing we are trying to get as we are not a very wealthy club, and we have to be careful what we spend to try and improve the situation. It is not easy, but please do it because it makes a hell of a difference.
Joe Bastone, stragety and planning director at Bigbury Golf Club

Famous sports broadcaster presented the local heroes 

Guests enjoyed the professional and personable hosting of the awards from a highly well-respected face in the sports industry. Clare Balding shared her personal golfing journey and continued passion for the game that she loves to play. And as a 16-handicapper and self-professed adopter of the MyEG app, she certainly had the attention and support of the audience.  

Clare Balding, famous sports broadcaster, hosting the England Golf Awards 2023.
Clare Balding hosting the England Golf Awards 2023. Photo: England Golf.

During the memorable night, the sports broadcasting icon presented the accomplishments of the last year’s hard work from across the golf industry – from the most brilliant tech solution designed for the whole industry to the individual volunteer at the local club. 

The event is about showing that we care and acknowledge people’s efforts in making our game as good as it can be. And for us to have had Clare Balding host the event as well added some real prestige to proceedings because she is an outstanding broadcaster but also a hugely passionate golfer.
Toni Zverblis, participation and development campaigns manager at England Golf.

The England Golf Awards 2023 were a great success, filled with familiar faces, inspiring stories, and lots of pride as three of our clients were nominated for awards due to their significant improvements. So, we can't wait to see what next year's event will bring.

Players 1st contributions at the England Golf Awards

2023 Two Players 1st clients won awards in the Club of the Year and the Sustainability Project of the Year categories. Read more about the winners at the England Golf Awards 2023.

2019 Players 1st sponsored the Innovation Award which was won by Mytime Active.

2018 Players 1st sponsored the Volunteer of the Year award which was won by Jean Hooper.

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