In a 2015 survey by Golf Advisor, the Wagram, N.C., property beat out 5,000 golf courses across the country to earn the honor. Owner Ted Robinson said he has stressed customer service as a way to set his golf course apart from others, and that he is “pretty picky when it comes to hiring staff.”
Deercroft Golf Club in Wagram, N.C., was voted No. 1 in the nation for staff friendliness for 2015 in a survey by Golf Advisor, a golf course reviews and ratings website, the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer reported.
“It’s awesome,” owner Ted Robinson said. “We make a point of trying to have good customer service. It’s nice to get recognized.”
Golf Advisor said 121,000 reviews of courses were sent to its website last year and the friendliest staff was one of the categories players could submit, the Observer reported.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet that we beat out about 5,000 courses,” Robinson said. “I’ve been able to get staff that truly loves golf and loves being around people.”
Robinson said he has stressed customer service as a way to set his course apart from others in a tough time for the golf industry, the Observer reported.
“People come out and pay their hard-earned money,” he said. “They want to feel wanted and appreciated. We have a staff that really cares. I’m pretty picky when it comes to hiring staff.”
Robinson is looking to hire someone now to replace Christy Adeimy, his assistant general manager, who recently left for another job. Jennifer Byrd, another stalwart in food and beverage and marketing, will move up to Adeimy’s job. Jen Lindow is another key member of the food and beverage staff. Phil Fecteau, a PGA member, is another staff member who Robinson singled out as providing good customer service, the Observer reported.
“I’m looking for people who are pleasant and like being around people,” Robinson said. “That is a priority of mine. I try to find friendly people.”
He said customer service is a key to golf business survival, the Observer reported.
“The cold, hard facts are the supply and demand curve for golf courses got way out of whack about 15 to 20 years ago,” he said. “Too many golf courses were built. You hate to see anybody go out of business or lose their job but there has to be some carnage, unfortunately. It’s going to take awhile to balance it out.”
Robinson said Deercroft is doing OK because of repeat customers, the Observer reported.
“When I got here, the course was not in good shape,” he said. “One of my goals was for players to see improvement everytime they came. I didn’t have enough money to fix everything right away, but now I’m actually expanding the budget to make improvements.”
But the bottom line is still the customer service. “Having hard workers and pleasant people who will give you a smile, it’s amazing how far that will go,” he said.
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