Yamaha Motor Europe (YME) has recognised The Ashbury Golf Resort, as their 2024 Golf Facility of the Year at a short ceremony, which took place recently at their golf and leisure complex, in Fowley Cross near Okehampton in Devon.

(L-R) Roland-Jan Schippers YME; Steve Harris, operations director; Ryan Gross, workshop manager; Peter Gross, courses manager and Carl Stuart, YME-UK

The Ashbury Golf Resort is the 9th largest golf complex in the world and owns and operates over 430 Yamaha golf cars, which are used across their four 18-hole courses, an 18-hole par-3 course and a 9-hole Academy course.

Organisers say the Golf Facility of the Year award recognises the provision of an impressive and remarkable golf experience for members and guests, while being regarded as a first-class golf operation. It highlights the connection between Yamaha and its partners and recognises the excellent golfing facilities and the year-round maintenance which goes into making The Ashbury Resort such a leading golfing destination. 

Roland-Jan Schippers from YME’s European head office in the Netherlands presented Steve Harris, operations director at the resort, with a crystal trophy, a signed certificated from Yamaha’s head office in Japan, champagne and a WaveRunner Safari experience.

The WaveRunner Safari is a marine outdoor adventure, utilising Yamaha Personal Water Craft, which will allow the golf team to spend a day exploring the Cornish coast, in recognition of their excellent efforts.

Some of Ashbury’s Yamaha golf car fleet

Commenting on the award, operations director Steve Harris said, “We were delighted when we were recognised with this award; it was a complete surprise and reflects our close working relationship with Yamaha. With the size of our golf car fleet, we have to ensure that they are well presented and functioning as they should, so access to an excellent after sales team and all the various parts required is vital to us. In that respect, we are completely self-sufficient and use an online computer system which links directly to Yamaha’s UK headquarters in Woking for ordering genuine parts and accessories."

Roland-Jan Schippers concluded saying, “The Ashbury Golf Resort is a superb example of the dedication that is required to produce a great golfing experience at a large-scale destination. The partnership between ourselves and Ashbury is very strong and we are delighted that they appreciate the benefits that our golf cars bring to their operations. 

“We appreciate their loyalty, their commitment to the Yamaha brand and our excellent business partnership. They are deserved winners of this award.”