Tagmarshal, the golf course optimisation and pace-of-play management platform, honoured clubs, courses and resorts that provide golfers with exceptional player experience and levels of on-course service, at the inaugural Tagmarshal Awards.

Statistics and insights from more than 10 million tracked rounds of golf in 2019 were used to benchmark and compare partners' progress through proven results, and empowering top standards and service delivery - essential at a time when the industry is recognising the opportunity and necessity for improved player satisfaction, to not only ensure the growth and future of the game, but also to achieve measurable business success.

The awards were presented at the conclusion of Tagmarshal's Education Session, at the recent PGA Merchandise Show.

European success in the Diamond Awards, the top Tagmarshal Award accolade, went to Carnoustie Golf Links, in Scotland, and Club de Golf Alcanada, Mallorca.

Carnoustie improved its year-on-year average round time by a phenomenal 16 minutes during the eight-time Open host's busiest month. And Alcanada achieved almost a 15-minute improvement in average pace during its busiest month, October 2019. A further four Diamond Awards went to facilities in the USA: Erin Hills, Quaker Ridge, Castle Pines and Brookside Golf & Country Club.

In addition, Carnoustie was also awarded the ‘Top International Achiever Award', while The Grove, near London, took the ‘Biggest Mover Award', based on the highest recorded usage by a new partner in 2019 and an improvement in average round time of almost 10 minutes.

Tagmarshal CEO Bodo Sieber said: "The awards are a powerful seal of approval for clubs who prioritise on-course experience and player satisfaction.

"The awards system ranks courses based on achieving outstanding results regarding player experience, pace and flow of play, player communication, and on-course service delivery. And it is exciting to see these levels of excellence can be achieved by a wide variety of facilities, from major hosts to €50 green-fee operations."

Pace and flow-of-play data, improvement and results statistics form the backbone of the Tagmarshal Awards grading, with top accolades achieved through continuous improvement and performance over multiple years, recognising well-executed implementation, continuous up-skilling, and best practice guidance of management and staff.

A total of 24 Platinum and 35 Gold Awards were also handed out to forward-thinking courses in the US, including Whistling Straits, Valhalla, Baltusrol, National Golf Links of America, Cypress Point and many others, which had each shown excellent performance benchmarks and continuous improvement in data trends, demonstrating they're likely to move up the 2020 award rankings.

Sieber added: "Tagmarshal's vision is rooted in the positive impact it has on player satisfaction, while driving operational efficiency and generating additional revenue. We are proud to have so many of our partners excel in this effort."

Across the Atlantic, Diamond Award winner and 2017 US Open Host Erin Hills GC also achieved superb results, demonstrating a consistent improvement over a five-year period utilising Tagmarshal, continuously optimising player experiences and generating more than $140,000 per year in additional tee-time.

Tagmarshal has tracked more than 10 million rounds of golf, using real-time data collected by using small ‘tags' clipped onto golf bags, installed in buggies or offered on handheld or cart-installed proprietary 2Way screen devices.

The information is transmitted to on-course staff or personnel in the pro shop, allowing identification of groups that are out of position before issues arise. Course marshals can then support in a proactive, objective, non-confrontational manner resulting in improved player experience, consistent round times and player time freed up to enjoy on-site food and beverage items, as well as opportunities for additional tee sheet capacity.

More than 250 leading courses globally, including 25 of the top 100 US courses, partner with Tagmarshal.