Golf in Cornwall can rightly be proud this morning after The Point at Polzeath in Cornwall won a top national award for its success as a golf club and leisure hub for the local community and holidaymakers.

Pictured receiving their award just last night are (L to R), Libby Lehan, Jeremy Davies, Mark Thistleton (TaylorMade-Adidas Golf) Eva Davies and Tom Collings. (Image © Leaderboard Photography).

The Point at Polzeath was named as the GolfMark Club of the Year, sponsored by TaylorMade-Adidas Golf, at last night’s 2017 England Golf Awards at Lord’s cricket ground. The runner-up was Essendon Country Club, Hertfordshire.

The glitzy awards ceremony, hosted by Di Dougherty, shone the spotlight on great moments and achievement at all levels of English golf and The Point was honoured alongside Olympic champion Justin Rose, Masters champion Danny Willett and Solheim Cup player Charley Hull, as well as other players and heroes from the grass roots game. A number of other celebrities were present at the awards dinner including former England Test international David Gower and BBC presenter Chris Hollins.

“Winning this award means a huge amount to us and to the members,” said Jeremy Davies, who owns the club with his wife, Eva, and he continued 'I would like to thank the Cornwall Golf Union for being here tonight and for supporting us throughout'.

GolfMark is an England Golf initiative which supports clubs to achieve high standards. The Point at Polzeath was the first Cornwall club to achieve GolfMark in its current form and it went on to become the county’s GolfMark Club of the Year for 2015, before capturing the national prize.

The club’s owners have used GolfMark to create a thriving business which bucks industry trends and they hope to double it in size over the next three years.

Their success and the club’s appeal is highlighted in a specially filmed video by Senior Captain Rick Farrant who says: “They have improved the club, the course and the facilities and at the same time they have cultivated a fantastic spirit among the members. I drive 160 miles to come and play golf and it’s honestly worth it.”

Over five years the owners have developed the club and grown the membership from around 40 to over 300, while the greenstaff has expanded from one employee to a team of six. As well as golf, The Point offers a health club, restaurant, new bar and holiday accommodation.

It’s focussed on what the customer wants and there’s a warm welcome for all, whether golfers or non-golfers. There’s flexible memberships to suit both locals and holidaymakers – and families are particularly welcome. A range of coaching packages suit both new golfers and existing players.

The club is also involved with the local community and runs the annual Polzeath beer festival alongside Get into golf activities which introduce about 100 people to golf each year.

“We are happy to be different and break with tradition,” said Jeremy Davies. “But at the same time we retain the true spirit of the game.”

Congratulations have poured in for The Point from across the county and beyond.

GolfMark supports clubs to achieve high standards in four areas: recruitment and retention; management and sustainability; coaching and competitions; and safeguarding. To find out more visit www.golfmark.org

Click here to read more about the England Golf Awards