Voting for the 2017 Gala Ceremony closed at the end of September, with a record number of ballots cast by leading golf industry tourism professionals.
These were tallied alongside the votes of hundreds of thousands of golf consumers around the world.
Golfing legend, Jack Nicklaus, was voted Golf Course Designer of the Year, while St Andrews Links (Old Course) in Scotland scooped the award for World’s Best Golf Course. The Belfry was recognised as Europe’s Best Golf Hotel.
World Golf Awards Managing Director, Chris Frost, said: “The fourth instalment of the 2017 World Golf Awards has been the most successful to date, welcoming industry leaders to Murcia, Spain, for a weekend of golf, networking opportunities and our fabulous Gala Ceremony.
“It has been an honour to recognise so many world-class organisations here this evening and I offer my sincere congratulations to all our winners.”
In a unique presentation, the World Golf Awards Academy honoured golf industry stalwart, Ian Baker-Finch, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
One of the most popular and successful golfers and golf commentators, the Australian - who is known for his easy-going manner and his love for the sport - has more than 15 years in sports television and 17 titles under his belt.
Portugal, in addition to being named the world’s top golf destination, also saw the West Cliffs Golf Links confirm its reputation as the new star of global golf by being named as the ‘World’s Best New Golf Course’ at the 2017 World Golf Awards.
The Cynthia Dye-designed course, which has already been tipped to become the new number one layout in Portugal, overcame stiff competition to collect the leading accolade.
Opened in June, West Cliffs has enjoyed a memorable start and has already claimed a number of notable honours, including becoming a Golf Environment Organisation (GEO) Certified® Development and being the highest new entry at number 25 in a 2017 ranking list of the ‘Top 100 Courses in Continental Europe’.
Francisco Cadete, director of golf at West Cliffs Golf Links, said: “To win such a coveted global award in our first six months is an amazing achievement and one that makes everyone at the resort very proud.
“The course has lived up to everything it promised to be when Cynthia was designing it, and more, and is something truly special. We’ve received some incredible feedback from golfers all over the world since opening and believe the course will get even better in the years to come.”
Chris Frost, managing director of the World Golf Awards, said: “I would like to congratulate West Cliffs on this remarkable achievement.
“Golf tourism’s highest accolade is truly deserved and the award rewards its commitment to excellence and determination to achieve market leader status.”
On a national front, the Algarve won the awards for the best golf course and best hotel.
Quinta do Lago – South Course was elected Portugal’s best course, while the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa was crowned Portugal’s Best Golf Hotel 2017.
Portugal currently welcomes 420,000 golfers to its 90 courses every year, with 82 percent of all rounds played by foreign tourists.