The President of the USA was the most notable person to receive an award at the 12th annual virtual World Golf Awards.
Trump International, Scotland was named World’s Best Golf Course 2025 (New Course), World’s Best Contribution to Golf Tourism Hospitality and Europe’s Best New Golf Course 2025.
Voted by golf professionals, media and consumers worldwide, World Golf Awards seeks to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the golf industry.
President Donald J. Trump, 45th & 47th President of The United States of America said: “A great honor to win such a prestigious award from the highly respected World Golf Awards. I am very proud of the job that Eric Trump and my team did on building one of the greatest golf courses anywhere in the world. It will make people happy for a long time to come!”
Chris Frost, Managing Director, World Golf Awards, said: “The awards received this year by Trump International, Scotland are truly well deserved. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit the completed project, and it’s nothing short of world-class. The transformation of the region through this beautifully designed and architecturally sympathetic golf resort is remarkable. A true icon of luxury has been created, thanks to the vision and dedication of the Trump brand and its outstanding contribution to global golf tourism. President Donald Trump, Eric Trump, Sarah Malone and the team deserve great credit for bringing this extraordinary project to life.”
Eric Trump, The Trump Organization, said: “We are incredibly proud and truly honored to be awarded three top World Golf Awards and to be named World’s Best Golf Course for our magnificent New Course in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. From the outset, this property has been a labour of love. We have built the greatest 36 holes along the spectacular North Sea shoreline and are immensely grateful to World Golf Awards and all those who have supported us.”
Following a truly extraordinary year of accomplishments including the long-awaited launch of the New Course, completion of The Greatest 36 Holes, and two back-to-back world-class professional tournaments – the Legends Tour flagship, Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, and DP World Nexo Championship – these awards pay tribute to the ambition, quality and remarkable achievements of the business in 2025.
Sarah Malone, Executive Vice President, Trump International, Scotland, said: “This level of recognition from World Golf Awards is wonderful and acknowledges the great investment, vision and hard work of everyone who has contributed to our journey. Our entire ethos is the unrelenting pursuit of excellence – to build, maintain and operate truly awe-inspiring golf courses that will be enjoyed by many generations of golfers to come. To be named the World’s Best is the ultimate honour.”
Elsewhere, Sergio Garcia has admitted that he is “humbled” after The Torre Course at Terras da Comporta was named as the World’s Best New Course – less than six months after first opening for play.
The luxury Portuguese golf and lifestyle destination enjoyed unprecedented success at the 12th edition of the annual awards, winning three of the leading accolades.
As well as the Torre Course receiving the ‘World’s Best New Course’ award two years after The Dunas Course achieved the same feat, The Dunas Course retained its title as ‘Europe’s Best Golf Course’ and Terras da Comporta was named as the ‘World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’.
Officially inaugurated last month, The Torre Course is European legend Garcia’s first major golf-course design project and, like The Dunas Course, has been created over an area of natural sandy terrain one hour south of Lisbon.
Inspired by the 2017 Masters champion’s love of Real Club Valderrama, the par-72 course features generous fairways, small greens and places the emphasis on precision and course strategy. Measuring 6,575 metres from the back tees, it is already being tipped to follow its older sibling as one of the new ‘must-play’ venues in world golf.
In a video message, Garcia said: “I am humbled. The Torre Course is my first course with my own design team, and I couldn’t be prouder for it to be named as the world’s best new course.
“I can’t thank all of you enough for this honour and I would like to thank everyone involved in the project, especially the owners and development team, for making this happen. I hope you all have the chance to come to Portugal in the future and play the course.”
Dundonald Links has reaffirmed its status among the finest destinations in golf after being named ‘Scotland’s Best Golf Hotel’ for the third consecutive year.
This latest accolade continues the impressive run of recognition for the Ayrshire resort’s premium accommodation, which has earned widespread acclaim since opening in 2021.
Craig Reekie, general manager at Dundonald Links, said: “In a category with so many incredible candidates, it’s an honour for us to be named the best hotel in Scottish golf once again.
“As well as being popular with golfers who come just to play our course, we’ve found that many guests use our lodges or rooms as a base to explore other exceptional golf courses across Ayrshire, which is very pleasing to see.”
Portmarnock Resort was named ‘Ireland’s Best Golf Hotel’ – the first time the Dublin coastal resort has received the honour.
Home to the acclaimed and recently redeveloped Jameson Golf Links, the resort has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. A multi-million-euro investment project completed in 2024 elevated the course with redesigned holes, new tees and greens and enhanced ocean views across the iconic Velvet Strand and Ireland’s Eye. Originally laid out by two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer in 1995, the new-look Jameson Golf Links is now regarded as one of Ireland’s most picturesque and enjoyable links experiences.
Alongside the course improvements, the resort’s hotel has also benefitted from a comprehensive upgrade in recent years, reestablishing Portmarnock as Dublin’s only true coastal resort. The beautifully appointed rooms and suites provide a serene retreat, complemented by stunning sea and golf views and contemporary comforts. Guests can unwind at the spa, savour locally inspired cuisine in one of three distinctive dining venues, or indulge in the tradition of Afternoon Tea by the shore.
William Kirby, general manager of Portmarnock Resort and Jameson Golf Links, said: “It’s a tremendous honour for Portmarnock Resort to be recognised as Ireland’s Best Golf Hotel for the first time. This award is a reflection of the hard work and vision that have gone into transforming the resort over the past few years.
“We’re proud to provide an experience that combines world-class golf with the warmth and hospitality that Ireland is known for, all just moments from Dublin city centre.”
Paul McCanny, director of golf at Portmarnock Resort and Jameson Golf Links, added: “What makes Portmarnock Resort special is the outstanding accommodation paired with world-class golf, both at Jameson Golf Links and across the region. We’re delighted that this recognition highlights the world-class standard we strive to offer every guest.”
Cabot Bordeaux was named France’s Best Golf Hotel 2025.
This marks the second time the property has received this honour, having first been recognised in 2022. The latest accolade further cements Cabot Bordeaux’s position among the leading golf and lifestyle destinations in Europe, reaffirming its status as a standout retreat in the heart of one of France’s most celebrated wine regions.
Formerly known as Golf du Médoc Resort, the property was rebranded as Cabot Bordeaux in 2024, following its integration into the acclaimed Cabot Collection – a portfolio of world-class golf and real estate destinations across North America, the Caribbean and Europe, including Cabot Cape Breton (Canada), Cabot Saint Lucia (Saint Lucia), Cabot Citrus Farms (USA) and Cabot Highlands (Scotland). The rebrand brings the destination under Cabot’s globally recognised standard of excellence in design, service and guest experience.
Vincent Paris, Managing Director at Cabot Bordeaux, said: “We’re honoured to be recognised by the World Golf Awards as France’s Best Golf Hotel 2025. This award is a testament to the passion and professionalism of our entire team, and to the memorable experiences we strive to deliver for every guest that visits Cabot Bordeaux.”
Two of Viya’s world-class venues were also recognised at the prestigious World Golf Awards.
Yas Links Abu Dhabi has been voted Abu Dhabi’s Best Golf Course 2025, while Park Hyatt Dubai, home to Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, has been named Dubai’s Best Golf Hotel 2025.
Dubai Creek continues to embody Dubai’s legacy of golfing excellence, with its sail-shaped clubhouse and championship course remaining a true icon of the city’s sporting and hospitality landscape. Home of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Yas Links reinforces its position among the world’s elite, showcasing the beauty and challenge of championship links golf and underlining the region’s growing stature as a premier global golf destination.
“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition, which reflects the dedication of our teams across every Viya venue to deliver exceptional experiences for our members and guests,” said Christopher May, CEO of Viya. “Yas Links Abu Dhabi and Park Hyatt Dubai continue to set benchmarks for golf and hospitality in the region.”
Global golf destination Quinta do Lago is celebrating double success, fighting off fierce competition to take home two highly coveted and prestigious continental and global titles.
Reinforcing its position at the top of the global golf and lifestyle scene, the Portuguese resort retained the title of ‘World’s Best Golf Real Estate Venue 2025’ and the title of ‘Europe’s Best Golf Venue 2025’ at the renowned industry awards, which celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism.
The latest real estate accolade recognises the success of Quinta do Lago’s latest real estate venture, North Grove. An exceptional setting to purchase luxury property, the project offers a limited number of bespoke properties within the masterplan, with major success meaning only a few plots are still available for discerning buyers.
Being named as Europe’s Best Golf Venue 2025 cements Quinta do Lago’s reputation on the fairways, with the resort’s three championship courses – the North, South, and Laranjal – offering world-class experiences for golfers of all levels, as well as the Quinta do Lago Golf Academy which underwent significant enhancements this year. This is the third year in a row the Algarve resort has earned this prestigious accolade, further testament to the quality of its courses and facilities.
This year has also marked a milestone in Quinta do Lago’s hospitality offering with the purchase of the Conrad Algarve hotel. The opulent five-star resort – comprising 154 suites, 80 apartments and two villas – has brought a new level of luxury to the premier Algarve resort, complemented by the Michelin-starred Gusto by Heinz Beck and a lavish spa, enhancing the resort’s portfolio for visitors and property owners alike.
Sean Moriarty, CEO of Quinta do Lago, said: “To be recognised with two such prestigious awards is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the commitment and passion of our entire team. Quinta do Lago continues to lead the way as a destination for world-class golf, luxury living and unforgettable experiences. With the addition of the Conrad Algarve and the continued success of North Grove, we are excited to offer our guests and property owners even more reasons to choose Quinta do Lago.”
Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort reaffirmed its reputation as one of Europe’s leading golf and lifestyle destinations after once again being named ‘Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel’.
The accolade is the second year in a row that the resort has claimed the coveted honour and comes as Praia D’El Rey’s owners continue to invest significantly in enhancing its guest experience across the property.
Over the past year, the resort has completed a series of high-profile renovations designed to elevate its five-star hospitality offering. All restaurants have been fully renovated, with Emprata reopening earlier this year and work underway currently at Tempera. Both the Pool Bar and Oceano Bar have also been completely renovated and are now welcoming guests once again.
António Esteves, hotel general manager at Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, said: “It is a tremendous honour to once again receive Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel award at the World Golf Awards.
“Our continued investment in the resort’s facilities ensures that every element of a guest’s stay meets the exceptional quality our visitors expect, and this award is testament to not only the ongoing investment but also the dedication of every member of the team.”
Gonçalo Costa, director of golf at Praia D’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort, added: “This award reflects the commitment we have made to continuous improvement and to providing golfers with a truly world-class experience both on and off the courses.”
Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel, was named Europe’s Best Golf Hotel.
Located on Sicily’s southern coast, Verdura Resort brings together exceptional sporting facilities, understated design and thoughtful service. Conceived by Sir Rocco Forte and designed by Olga Polizzi, the resort’s architecture was created to blend with the surrounding landscape, using natural materials and low-lying buildings that frame views of the Mediterranean.
Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels said: “This prestigious award recognises the exceptional dedication of our team, which consistently strives to deliver a high-performing course for our members and guests. Our commitment to excellence leads us to create golf experiences that are both high-end and deeply immersed in the destination. At Verdura, that philosophy is reflected in everything we do.”
Heritage Resorts & Golf has further cemented its growing global reputation with a standout performance at the 2025 World Golf Awards. La Réserve Golf Links, was honoured as the Indian Ocean’s Best Golf Course, while Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort claimed the coveted title of World’s Best Golf Hotel.
La Réserve Golf Links, the first and only contemporary links course in the region, opened in 2023. An experience of pure drama, this exhilarating course offers far-reaching views over tropical bays, sandy beaches and the ocean. Designed by acclaimed course architect Peter Matkovich, with the links expertise of Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen, it is inspired by the wild open spaces of the great seaside links, and plays hand-in-hand with nature, mindful of its location alongside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
This latest accolade for La Réserve Golf Links follows last year’s triumph, when it was crowned the World’s Best New Golf Course 2024. The recognition cements its position as one of the game’s most exciting modern designs and the first in the African region to be awarded GEO Certified® Development status for sustainable design and construction.
“At Heritage Golf Club, we’re shaping the future of golf in the Indian Ocean,” said Ryan Dodds, Head of Golf Management at Projects. “With sustainability, authenticity, and world-class design at our core, our goal is clear – to set a new benchmark for golf in the region.
“Being recognised among the world’s finest golf resorts only strengthens our resolve to make Mauritius a must-play destination for international golf travellers seeking truly exceptional experiences.”
Son Muntaner, the championship flagship course at Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, was named Spain’s Best Golf Course at the 2025.
Bernat Llobera, Director of Golf at Arabella Golf Resort Mallorca, said: “To be chosen as Spain’s best by public vote is a tremendous honour. It acknowledges the championship quality of the course, from the inspired design to our cutting-edge sustainability work. This recognition is for the entire Arabella team, confirming our position not just as a beautiful course, but as a leader in Spanish golf.”
Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club has further elevated its status as one of the region’s premier golf venues after being recognised as ‘Middle East’s Best Golf Clubhouse’ at the awards.
January’s grand opening of Al Zorah’s landmark clubhouse – a defining addition to the UAE’s golf landscape – has been one of the biggest golfing stories of the year, culminating in triumph over a stellar shortlist at the prestigious annual industry awards.
Inside, the clubhouse brings together a signature restaurant, stylish lounge and thoughtfully designed fitness studio, complemented by refined locker and retail spaces. A spectacular terrace on the ground floor overlooks the 11th and 18th greens, creating one of the most memorable dining and viewing experiences in UAE golf. Tennis courts and two outdoor swimming pools complete the setting, extending the club’s leisure appeal to the wider community.
A stunning rooftop bar provides the clubhouse’s final flourish, offering panoramic views across the vast mangrove reserve that surrounds Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club, as well as the coastline just 2.5 kilometres away.
Philip Henderson, General Manager of Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club, said: “From the outset, our goal was to create the finest clubhouse of its kind in the Middle East. To see that realised and recognised on the world stage is both an honour and a milestone for everyone involved in Al Zorah’s journey.”
Aphrodite Hills Resort has been named Cyprus’ Best Golf Hotel at the 2025 World Golf Awards.
The restaurants along with dedicated food and beverage outlets and new outdoor furniture have been key elements of a major refurbishment along with recent renovations to apartments and villas.
Miguel Girbes, Director of Golf & Sports at Aphrodite Hills Resort, said: “The award comes at a defining moment for Aphrodite Hills Resort, as it embarks on a far-reaching investment programme designed to elevate every aspect of the guest experience. The multi-phase project encompasses extensive upgrades to the hotel, spa, restaurants and leisure amenities, ensuring the resort continues to set the benchmark for premium hospitality and wellness in Cyprus.”
The “Little Apes” Par-3 course at Apes Hill Barbados was named the Caribbean’s Best 9-Hole Golf Course.
Nestled in the heart of Apes Hill’s stunning 475-acre estate, Little Apes is a fun and scenic short course for all the family where golfers of all ages and abilities can share the joy of the game. With nine holes ranging from 95 to 145 yards, the par-27 walking course is set amid breathtaking views of Barbados and the Caribbean Sea.
Designed by the legendary Ron Kirby, the holes are inspired by famous golf holes from around the world, reimagined for family-friendly play.
“From the outset, the vision at Apes Hill has always been to create an enjoyable and memorable golfing experience where you can feel at home no matter your skill level, age, or how long you have been playing,” said Jody Addison, Director of Golf at Apes Hill Barbados. “Ron Kirby embodied that philosophy with his redesign of our championship course, and it’s an ethos we’ve carried into Little Apes, which we believe will provide endless fun for young children and the whole family in equal measure. We are honoured that this vision has been recognised on an international stage.”
Solmar Golf Links was named Latin America’s Best Golf Course 2025.
“Being recognised as Latin America’s best golf course is truly an honour and a testament to the passion and dedication of our entire golf and resort team,” said Akira Tominaga, Director of Golf at Solmar Golf Links. “From the course design to the service philosophy, every detail is intentionally crafted to celebrate the natural beauty of Baja and deliver a world-class golfing experience.”
And the rise to prominence of Details – Hospitality, Sports, Leisure as one of global golf’s most influential companies has received a glowing new endorsement after Portugal’s largest golf course management operator was named ‘Golf Business of the Year’.
The leading accolade was of four major honours that the sports and hospitality platform – which is owned by the Arrow Global Group – claimed at the 12th edition of the prestigious annual awards.
In addition, Palmares Ocean Living & Golf received the coveted award for the ‘World’s Best Golf Clubhouse’, PGA Aroeira Lisboa was named as ‘Europe’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility’ while the iconic Old Course at Vilamoura was voted ‘Portugal’s Best Golf Course’.
Nuno Sepulveda, co-CEO at Details – Sports, Hospitality, Leisure, said: “We’re genuinely honoured to receive this recognition at the World Golf Awards. At Details, our focus is clear – to elevate golf experiences in Portugal and beyond – and I couldn’t be prouder of the team who show up every day with the drive to make a real impact. This award marks the start of an exciting chapter for us, with more ambitious plans already taking shape for 2026 and well into the future.”
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