Staff WriterIf golf tourism were a Major, the IAGTO Golf Tourism Awards would be its green jacket – and this year, the final leg of the 2025 ceremony swung through North America with the grace of a well-read putt.
The spotlight fell on destinations and venues across Canada, the USA, and the Dominican Republic, as the IAGTO North America Golf Tourism Awards celebrated the best in the business at a lively ceremony in Birmingham, Alabama.
Announced at the 16th annual IAGTO North America Convention – hosted at the stately Forum Theatre inside the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex – the event marked the final stop in the International Association of Golf Tour Operators’ (IAGTO) global trilogy of accolades.
Previous ceremonies honoured standout performers across Europe and the Asia Pacific, but this week, it was North and Latin America’s turn to step into the limelight.
The IAGTO Golf Tourism Awards don’t dabble in fluff or popularity contests. Votes come directly from more than 700 member golf tour operators across the globe – the people who live and breathe golf travel, and whose job it is to know what makes a truly unforgettable golfing getaway.
“IAGTO golf tour operators are responsible for 90% of all international golf tourism travel,” said Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO.
“These awards highlight the suppliers and destinations that have delivered the best possible experiences to their golf-travelling clients over the past 12 months.”
And the IAGTO 2025 Winners Are…
Golf Destination of the Year:
British Columbia, Canada
This Canadian province continues to impress with its rugged natural beauty, world-class layouts and a golf season that’s as scenic as it is serene.
Golf Resort of the Year:
Boyne Golf, Michigan
A perennial favourite, Boyne’s constellation of championship courses and lakeside charm proved irresistible once again.
Golf Course of the Year:
PGA Ocean’s 4, Dominican Republic
A Caribbean masterpiece that blends coastal vistas with tournament-quality design, Ocean’s 4 is redefining what island golf can be.
Hotel of the Year:
Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
With its five-star service, beachfront opulence and proximity to world-class fairways, Eden Roc remains a shining jewel in the Caribbean crown.
Outstanding Contribution to Golf Tourism:
- Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Alabama Department of Tourism
- Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
These Alabama stalwarts were recognised for their collective role in elevating the state as a premier golf destination, drawing international attention to Southern hospitality and stellar greens.
The IAGTO Golf Tourism Awards serve as more than a pat on the back – they’re a pulse check for a global industry still booming post-pandemic.
And judging by the calibre of this year’s North American winners, the game is in rude health, with plenty more fairways waiting to be explored.
As the sun sets on the 25th IAGTO Awards cycle, one thing’s clear: excellence in golf tourism isn’t just about pristine courses – it’s about delivering an experience that sticks with a golfer long after the last putt drops.
And these winners? They’ve nailed it.
