Close House Golf Club has been shortlisted for Members Club of the Year 2025 at The Golf Course Awards.

To enhance my professional reputation and increase awareness of my work, I actively seek opportunities to participate in industry competitions.

I recently applied for the Sports forum awardswhere I took third place in the sports media category, and for the Siemens Media Awardswhere I was shortlisted last year.

During these experiences, I often reflect on the profound impact such recognitions can have on my overarching goals.

This consideration was further inspired by the news that Close House Golf Club has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Category Members Club of the Year 2025 at the Golf Course Awards.

This recognition follows the club’s remarkable victory in winning the Award for Junior Golf Program of the Year in 2024.

The Golf Course Awards, recently established, held its opening ceremony in 2024specific focus about the regions Great Britain and Ireland.

While the prestige of this award is greatest within that geographic area, its potential for international recognition will undoubtedly increase.

The Golf Course Awards are poised to become a beacon of excellence within the golfing community. The winners will be announced during a ceremony in London on the December 4, 2025.

Close House Golf Club investments

Of more than 800 membersClose House Golf Club has become a thriving golfing hub in the North East and delivers more than 50 exclusive member events annually and invests heavily in facilities.

Recent developments include a Range extension of £500,000 and an upcoming one bunker renovation programmeboth shaped directly by feedback from the the club’s annual membership survey.

Close House Golf Club conducts a extensive annual membership survey of 60 detailed questionswhich covers everything from course conditions and dining to communication and overall satisfaction.

Insights from this research form the basis of the development planning every yearkeeping the club aligned with the evolving needs and expectations of its members.

The organization places a strong emphasis on inclusivity and providing routes into the sport of golf. The Academy, supported by a team of PGA professionals, offers options that are explicitly tailored to juniors, beginners and women.

In addition, Close House Golf Club implements a coaching program for schools, in collaboration with PINGwhich offers for free lessons to more than 2,000 children annual.

This initiative creates a vital route into the game and encourages club membership.

In addition to the golf initiatives, Close House hosts an exciting social calendar designed to thoroughly engage families.

Events such as the annual Family fun day in August and the spectacular fireworks show in November promote community involvement and enhance Close House’s reputation as a real community oriented club.

The organization is also affiliated with a number of prominent figures in the sport.

Attached Tour Professional and former world number 1 Lee Westwood has proudly represented the club since 2012.

TIP: Select the correct professional award

Selecting the ideal professional award for your business is one powerful strategic choice – the right distinction is possible increase your reputation, attract customersAnd inspire your team.

Follow this step-by-step guide to make an impactful decision:

Start with Why you want the award. Different awards serve different purposes:

• Brand Credibility: Look for nationally recognized or industry-specific awards.
• Employee motivation: Choose awards that emphasize teamwork or workplace culture.
• Marketing and visibility: Aim for awards with strong media partnerships or public voting.
• Investor or customer confidence: Aim for awards that are judged by credible panels or industry experts.

Don’t chase generic “business excellence” awards if your niche prices carry more weight in your sector. Prevent: “Pay to win” schedules or awards that prioritize entry fees over merit.

Think about ROI and ask yourself these questions:

• What is the entrance fee or time cost?
• What visibility, networking or credibility benefits will a win bring?
• Can you leverage the nomination (even without winning) in PR or social media?

Sometimes, be shortlisted is just as valuable as winning. I also receive positive feedback thanks to my shortlisting at the Siemens Media Awards 2024.

Choose rewards that help you do that emphasize what you are good at:

• Innovation → Innovation or technology awards
• Customer Service → Service Excellence Awards
• Community impact → CSR or sustainability awards
• Leadership → Entrepreneurial or management awards

Instead of applying sporadically, make an annual plan:

• Shortlist 3 to 5 key distinctions that align with your strategic objectives
• Track deadlines, criteria and required evidence
• Collect supporting data (KPIs, customer feedback, impact metrics) throughout the year.

Once you are nominated or win:

• Promote it in press releases, social media and your website
• Share the news internally to boost morale
• Use it in sales decks and investor materials