The Arnold Palmer-designed Whistler Golf Club has been honoured as one of the "100 Best Golf Shops in North America," by the leading industry publication, Golf Shop Operations. More than 13,000 facilities competed in four categories: private, resort, public, and off-course. Only 25 other resort courses made the list along with the Whistler Golf Club, including such high profile courses as Pebble Beach, Pinehurst Resort, Grayhawk, Ko Olina, Harbour Town Golf Links and the Phoenician Resort. The Whistler Golf Club is the only Canadian facility to receive this prestigious industry award. "To win a spot on the top 100 list is the equivalent of receiving an Oscar nomination in the golf operations industry," says Patrick Bowers, Director of Golf at the Whistler Golf Club. "As the only Canadian golf course listed, and to be in the company of such high profile resort courses... we are extremely pleased." The annual "100 Best Golf Shops in America" list produced by Golf Shop Operations is based upon three requirements: 1. Financial performance relative to other pro shops within the specific category. 2. An extensive photographic portfolio demonstrating specific areas of the shop as well as displays and merchandising themes. 3. A project submission outlining training initiatives, sales strategies, inventory controls and other key aspects of running a successful retail operation. A special awards ceremony was held in Orlando on Feb. 4, 2000. The Whistler Golf Club is planning a $1.8 million renovation this year, which, along with bunker renovations and the addition of a 6,500 square foot putting and chipping green in 1999, and the opening of a new 4,800 square foot clubhouse in 1997, completes the club's modernization plans. The Whistler Golf Club has been awarded GOLF magazine's Sliver Medal for service, and has also been rated "One of Canada's Top 25 Resort Courses" by Canada's Golf Course Ranking Magazine.
