PLYMOUTH, MI – March 14, 2005 – Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center, in Plymouth, Michigan, has been honored as the nation's leading golf course in player development. The National Golf Course Owners Association has given the 2005 Player Development Award to Kathy Aznavorian and Sandy Dul Miley, the sisters who are proprietors of Fox Hills and visionaries behind the Fox Hills philosophy to grow the game.
"Fox Hills demonstrates an above-and-beyond approach to making adults and juniors feel welcome to the game of golf,” said Mike Hughes, CEO of the NGCOA. “Their camps, clinics and investment in developing a short course and practice facility illustrate that Kathy, Sandy and their great team are serious about player development. Fox Hills wears "beginner-friendly" on their sleeve, and we're proud to honor them."
The NGCOA presents the Player Development Award to golf courses which have implemented effective player development programs that encourage non-golfers to visit the facility for the purpose of learning about the game and enable beginning golfers to increase their frequency of play.
“Not only is it important to bring new golfers to the game, but also having a high retention rate for the new and beginning golfers is crucial for a prosperous future for this great game,” said the NCGOA in its commendation. “Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center displayed a strong commitment to growth of the game, and the board is pleased to honor this facility.”
Fox Hills offers 63 holes of golf over undulating terrain, including an 18-hole short game course called “Strategic Fox,” and an extensive practice facility. Fox Hills provides PGA instruction through its Crystal Mountain Golf Schools; organizes golf leagues, clinics and camps; and offers junior golf membership specials.
“Sandy and I grew up with golf in our lives and that experience has proven to be immeasurably rewarding,” said Aznavorian, President of Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center. “It gives us great joy to be able to welcome as many people ‘into the tent' as we can. We want families to have the same kind of wonderful memories golf has given us.”
Fox Hills was, in 2003, named the NGCOA National and State Golf Course of the Year.
“The fact that Fox Hills is receiving special awards and recognition confirms our belief in what we've decided our mission here at Fox Hills is: to create an atmosphere where golfers of every skill levels can feel comfortable and spend their time in a useful fashion,” said Dul Miley, who serves as general manager. “No matter how much experience you have or do not have, Fox Hills is a place you can enjoy yourself and be challenged.”
“We are very honored to receive the Player Development Award especially in view of the fine programs that are offered by so many other courses across the country, said Aznavorian. “Our Director of Golf and his staff worked very hard to reach well over 700 juniors and over 200 beginner adults and introduce them to the basics of the game and make the game fun for them. It was gratifying to see our new juniors wearing their orange logo shirts hitting some pretty remarkable shots despite their young age. It was also great to know that many beginners returned to enjoy the game for another season as they felt more confident about the skills they learned.”
Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center features an 18-hole championship course, the Golden Fox – a links-style course designed by Arthur Hills. The Fox Classic course is 27 holes carved out of wooded, undulating terrain. Strategic Fox, designed by Ray Hearn, is a par-3 shot-making course. Fox Hills is proud to be a Certified Audubon Sanctuary dedicated to the care and preservation of the environment while providing a top-notch golf experience for players.
Contact:
Resort & Golf Marketing
Dave Richards
(248) 642- 6420
motodrive@aol.com
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@resortandgolf.com
