Foremost Awards: industry top performers honoured

Foremost Awards: industry top performers honoured

A collection of golf's top brands, products and players were acknowledged this week in the prestigious Foremost Awards at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate.

The ceremony - staged during the annual Trade Show - attracted some of the industry's most influential figures and celebrated the UK's largest golf retail group and its successful members.

The dinner was hosted by BBC Sport's Andrew Cotter and featured a routine from British comic and impressionist Bobby Davro.

Tim Hall, from Ross-on-Wye Golf Club in Hertfordshire, scooped the Foremost members' top award - the Foremost Professional of the Year 2013.

"Tim ticks all the boxes when looking for a modern green-grass professional," said Andy Martin, Foremost Company Director.

"He fully engages with his club, his membership and his local community and he teaches at 15 primary schools and three secondary schools."

"His shop provides a high-quality retail proposition and he keeps customers up to date through his digital EMP newsletter and website, and also extensively via social media."

The full Foremost members' awards were as follows:

Gareth Jones, Sandiway Golf Club - Breakthrough Professional of the Year Simon Harrison, Lilley Brook Golf Club - Elite Marketing Professional of the Year David Wood, Orsett Golf Club - Foremost Champion Golfer of the Year Tim Rouse, Northamptonshire Golf Club - Outstanding Service Award

On the night, the winners of both the Foremost Supplier Awards - voted for by Foremost members across GB&I - and the Foremost & Golf Monthly Consumer Awards were announced.

Ping won its fifth consecutive Supplier of the Year accolade, and picked up the Wood of the Year award for the G25 driver and Iron of the Year, also for the G25 range.

Titleist scooped Ball of the Year (Pro V1 franchise) and Apparel Range of the Year, while FootJoy's Contour Series won Shoe Model of the Year.

"We are delighted the Pro V1 golf ball franchise has been recognised as the market leader by Foremost members, as it validates how we are meeting the needs of the club professionals," said Matthew Johnston, Titleist Brand Director.

"To receive this mark of trust from Foremost professionals is fantastic."

The other retail awards were as follows:

Trolley of the Year - Motocaddy S3 Pro Most Innovative Product of the Year - Motocaddy M1 Pro Wedge of the Year - Cleveland 588 RTX Putter Model of the Year - Odyssey Versa Waterproof Model of the Year - Sunderland Dolphin Collection

"Winning the product innovation award from Foremost Group members in the face of outstanding competition is a great honour for Motocaddy," said Motocaddy chairman David Wells.

"The M1 Pro has been our most successful trolley launch with sales more than 30% above forecast, but this confirms that our retail partners are right behind the product and we'd like to thank them for their continued support."

The tour awards, voted for by Golf Monthly readers, were as follows:

Shot of the Year - Justin Rose's 4-iron approach to Merion's 72nd hole Player of the Year - Phil Mickelson Breakthrough Performance of the Year - Charley Hull