🏆🏆🏆 IAGTO American Awards 2025: Who are the Winners?✨
- clairebambino
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 3
🇺🇸 On June 17-19, 2025, the 16th North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC) took place in Birmingham, Alabama.
The city has a strong sports culture, with teams like the Birmingham Barons ⚾️and the Birmingham Legion FC ⚽️.
⛳️There are approximately 17 golf courses located in the greater Birmingham, Alabama area. This number includes both public and private courses within the city itself and the surrounding suburbs. Some of the standout courses include:
Highland Park Golf Course: Birmingham's oldest, boasts a rich history dating back to 1903. While short, its hilly layout, strategic hazards, and excellent greens offer a challenging round. Renovated in 1998 and again in 2019, this historic course in the heart of the city provides a unique and enjoyable golfing experience for all skill levels.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley: this facility is a major draw and features two 18-hole championship courses, The Ridge and The Valley, as well as a shorter 9-hole course. The Ridge is known for its elevation changes and scenic views, while The Valley offers rolling fairways and water features.
Ballantrae Golf Club: located in Pelham just south of Birmingham, is a semi-private facility known for its "fast, fun and friendly" atmosphere. Designed by Bob Cupp, this 18-hole championship course offers a playable experience for all skill levels with wide fairways and scenic views across a rolling valley.
Timberline Golf Club: located in Calera just south of Birmingham, offers a challenging yet enjoyable golfing experience. Designed by PGA Tour star Jerry Pate, this semi-private course is known for its meticulous maintenance and scenic layout that winds through tall pines and hardwoods.
Greystone Golf & Country Club: this prestigious private club is home to two 18-hole courses. The Legacy Course, designed by Tom Fazio, is particularly well-known for its beauty and challenging layout, and has hosted the Regions Tradition tournament.
Shoal Creek Club: this is a very exclusive, invitation-only private club consistently ranked as the top course in Alabama. The design was primarily by Bob Cupp when it opened in 1977. Jack Nicklaus and his team have done significant renovations over the years, notably before the 2018 U.S. Women's Open. It's known for its challenging layout and the stunning backdrop of Double Oak Mountain.
The Country Club of Birmingham: a historic private club with two 18-hole courses, the East Course and the West Course. Originally designed by Donald Ross, these courses offer a classic golf experience.
The 16th North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC), organized by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), brought together golf resorts, golf clubs, hotels, tourist boards, and other golf tourism suppliers, with a particular focus on destinations in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
🧐 The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) is a global organization dedicated to promoting and growing the golf tourism industry. Established in 1997, IAGTO has over 2,300 member companies across more than 94 countries, including golf tour operators, golf courses, resorts, and other industry stakeholders.
💼 The Convention featured 2 days of pre-scheduled meetings, allowing a valuable opportunity for suppliers to showcase their offerings and establish new business relationships.
🍾 The American Awards, announced during the North America Golf Tourism Convention, recognize outstanding contributions to golf tourism in the Americas. These awards celebrate excellence in golf courses, resorts, and tour operators, highlighting their role in promoting golf tourism and enhancing the visitor experience.
🏆🏆🏆 Here is the list of 2025 Winners for North America, Latin America and the Caribbean:
Golf Destination of the Year: British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦
Golf Resort of the Year: Boyne Golf, Michigan 🇺🇸
Golf Course of the Year: PGA Ocean's 4, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
Hotel of the Year: Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic 🇩🇴
Outstanding contribution to Golf Tourism:
