Hilton Head Island's Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort Named 2024 "Golf Resort Of The Year"

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has been named by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) as its 2024 "Golf Resort of the Year" in the United States.

"This means a great deal to us considering all of the other spectacular golf resorts, not only on Hilton Head Island but across the entire state of South Carolina and beyond," said Brad Marra, Chief Operating Officer, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort.

Palmetto Dunes is a 2,000-acre resort destination bounded by 3 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach on one side and a sheltered Intracoastal Waterway marina on the other. The resort features vacation home and villa rentals, a trio of world-class golf courses, Toptracer Range, an award-winning tennis and pickleball center, an 11-mile inland salt-water lagoon system for kayaking and fishing, and Hilton Head Outfitters for bike rentals, canoes, kayaks, fishing and more.

Destinations and golf resorts across North America, the Caribbean and Latin America were honored in the Americas section of the 24th edition of the annual IAGTO Awards – the golf tourism industry's "Oscars."

Voted for by tour operator members of global golf tourism industry organization IAGTO, the awards recognize the outstanding service provided by golf resorts and golf destinations during the past year. The IAGTO Americas Awards were announced at the IAGTO North America Convention.

"It is an honor for us at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort to be recognized as one of two Golf Resorts of the Year in the USA by IAGTO," said Brad Marra, Chief Operating Officer, Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. "This means a great deal to us considering all of the other spectacular golf resorts, not only on Hilton Head Island but across the entire state of South Carolina and beyond. We value the life-long relationships we have built with others in the industry and appreciate the willingness to work together to make the love of golf the strongest it's been in history."

Announcing the seven winners of the most prestigious awards in golf tourism at the Opening Address of NAC, Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO, said: "Golf tour operators responsible for 90% of all international golf tourism organised travel have once again focused worldwide attention on a handful of suppliers and destinations that delivered the best possible experience to their golf travelling clients over the past 12 months."

The Americas Awards follow the announcement of IAGTO's Asia Pacific Awards in March and European and African Awards in May.

The winners in the Americas region are:

North American Golf Destination of the Year: CALIFORNIA

Caribbean Golf Destination of the Year: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Latin American Golf Destination of the Year: ARGENTINA

Golf Resort of the Year: PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT

Golf Resort of the Year: NEMACOLIN

Golf Resort of the Year: MAYAKOBA RESORT

Golf Resort of the Year: PUNTACANA RESORT

About IAGTO & IAGTO Awards

Established in 1997, IAGTO is the global trade organization of the golf tourism industry, and has 2345 members in 95 countries including 667 golf tour operator members in 69 countries, which are responsible for more than 90% of golf vacation packages sold worldwide and which collectively have annual sales of over US $2.5 billion. IAGTO runs three annual conventions spanning the globe, with events in Europe, North America and Asia, along with regular Destination Conventions. IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Writers Association in 2000, the year in which the first prestigious annual IAGTO Awards also took place.

About Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort is a 2,000-acre resort destination located in the middle of Hilton Head Island, S.C., bounded by 3 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach on one side and a sheltered Intracoastal Waterway marina on the other. Named in the top 25 World's Best Family Getaways by Travel + Leisure, the resort features vacation home and villa rentals, three world-class golf courses, an award-winning tennis and pickleball center, an 11-mile inland salt-water lagoon system for kayaking and fishing, and Hilton Head Outfitters for bike rentals, canoes, kayaks, fishing, beach rentals and retail shopping. The Mediterranean-style Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, Hilton Head Island's largest deep-water marina, located right across from Palmetto Dunes, features waterfront shopping and dining and a wide variety of charters, including nature cruises, dolphin tours, fireworks tours and fishing. For information about activities or reservations, please call 877-567-6513 or visit www.palmettodunes.com.

The Dominican Republic Named The Best Caribbean Golf Destination

The Dominican Republic is thrilled to announce its title of Caribbean's Best Golf Destination 2014 in the World Golf Awards.

Offering 26 award-winning courses of ranging difficulty throughout the scenic island country, Dominican Republic is the preferred escape of the golf aficionado. Currently, Dominican Republic boasts courses designed by the renowned Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Greg Norman – many with stunning oceanfront greens.

"We could not be happier to be recognized for our destination and excellent tourism product by such a prestigious award in this sector," said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "We are confident that our successes will continue to grow as both amateur and professional players are drawn to our picturesque designer courses and world-class accommodations."

The country has been working diligently to update course and club options and position itself as a leader in golf tourism. This past fall, the first DR Golf Travel Exchange showcased this like never before through seminars, workshops, course tours and more.

The inaugural World Golf Awards are part of the World Travel Awards, now celebrating over two decades as "the Oscars of the travel industry." Winners were chosen based on the votes of golf travel and tourism professionals, such as senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media professionals.

Africa’s Top 5 Golf Safari Destinations

Africa has come a long way from the concept that a safari is for a few wildlife-eager tourists, armed with heavy cameras and wide-angle lenses. Or, even before that, the hot and dusty wildlife drives, with little other leisure activities. Africa has grown a whole lot more sensitive to the needs of modern pleasure seekers and has been fined-tuned by locals who have also taken to international leisure trends, such as golfing.

Golf safaris combine two of the world’s most adored leisure activities: golf greens and wildlife adventures. Nowhere else in the world will you find such an authentic combination of leisure, luxury, adventure and pleasure, topped with African hospitality. But before we delve into Africa’s top five golf safari destinations, a little background first:

Golf safaris: where it all started

Golf in Africa has a long and interesting history. South Africa, in particular, delivered several world class golf champions, making golf a highly-appreciated leisure activity and professional sport. With the rise of world champs came the development of impressive designer golf courses, such as the Windsor Golf & Country Club in Kenya and the Gary Player Country Club in South Africa. Now, what else is Africa renowned for? Its nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. It was merely a matter of time before the leisure of golf and the adventure of safaris were amalgamated, delivering the now-popular concept of a golf safari.

In describing Africa’s top golf safari destinations, finding a combined winner is the key. We are looking for the combination of challenging and well-developed golf courses, plenty of wildlife and luxury safaris experiences. Here are Africa’s top five:

5. Tanzania

Imagine playing a course with a view on Mount Kilimanjaro, in the heart of safari country. Tanzania’s Moshi Golf Club offers just that. Although not a designer golf course, the region’s safari experiences are among the best in Africa, giving you an all-round fantastic golf safari vacation.

4. Botswana

Botswana’s wildlife is booming, its luxury travel options are nothing short of impressive and the weather is always a winner. The best golf course? Head over to Phakalane Golf Estate close to Botswana’s capital Gaborone.

3. Zimbabwe

With its deep-rooted colonial history, golf is as part of Zimbabwe as the Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe offers a few designer golf courses, including the highly-acclaimed Leopard Rock. This prestigious course is close to the Rhodes Inyanga National Park, with views overlooking the Bvumba Mountain Range.

2. Kenya

Kenya is impressing connoisseur golf crowds with their Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club. Windsor is also rated among Africa’s top courses. Kenya in itself is not only a popular safari destination but its combination of open plains, indigenous forests and healthy wildlife populations to match each habitat are key reasons why Kenya is one of Africa’s top golf safari destinations. Kenya is also finely-tuned to the needs of international travellers—you would hardly be disappointed!

1. South Africa

South Africa has produced many golf legends and is a solid competitor in world-class golf. The country has umpteen designer courses, suitable for both amateurs and serious golfers. In fact, several international golf tournaments are held in South Africa on an annual basis. Now, imagine yourself on a signature course—Legend Golf & Safari Resort is a good example. Play golf within the confines of a nature reserve, zebra and smaller wildlife may even cross the greens. For spotting the lions, a sunset safari cruise awaits.

Whichever golf safari destination you choose, expect to start your day with the swinging of your club in inspiring African landscapes, complemented with guided safari tours either late afternoon or early evening. The beauty of golf safaris is that they are usually entirely customizable, tailored to your interests and needs.

Contributed by Javier Luque,  Co-Founder and Director of Your African Safari. www.atravelblog.com

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