The best new golf destinations of 2017

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The 17th annual International Association of Golf Tour Operators Awards revealed some of the best golf travel destinations of 2017 including some of the most well-known resorts from across the globe as well as one or two surprise locations.

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The awards ceromy this year’s International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) held at Son Termes in Mallorca, has been hailed as a huge success.

As well as recognising the world’s finest golf destinations the awards also highlight hidden venues and resorts that embrace sustainability.

The glittering awards evening  saw some of the golf industry’s best-performing destinations celebrated, including South Africa, Spain, Mexico and Florida, USA as well as hidden-gems such as Vietnam and Thailand.

Costa Navarino, Greece claiming the Golf Resort of the Year European award, while Barefoot Resort & Golf, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA, won the North America category and Laguna Golf Lăng Cô in Vietnam won the Rest of the World prize.

In the Sustainability Awards, staged in association with GEO (Golf Environment Organization), golf resorts from Africa, Asia, Europe and The Americas were recognised.

This year’s IAGTO Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year Award was presented to Europe’s Kärnten – Alpe Adria Golf, a golf region extending from the south side of The Alps down to the Adriatic Sea.

2017 IAGTO Awards winners:

Golf Destination of the Year:

Africa, Gulf States & Indian Ocean: Western Cape, South Africa
Asia & Australasia: Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Europe: Andalucía, Spain
Latin America & Caribbean: Los Cabos, Mexico
North America: North Florida, USA

Golf Resort of the Year:

Europe: Costa Navarino, Greece
North America: Barefoot Resort & Golf, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA
Rest of the World: Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, Vietnam

IAGTO Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year:

Kärnten – Alpe Adria Golf

Sustainability Awards:

Nature Protection: The Great Rift Valley Lodge & Golf Resort, Kenya
Resource Efficiency: Pebble Beach Resorts, California, USA
Community Value: Laguna Golf, Phuket, Thailand
Outstanding Commitment to Sustainable Golf: Machrihanish Dunes, Scotland
Sustainable Golf Destination of the Year: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA

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