• New Award Recognises Dinosaurs’ Contribution To Tourism!
Wolverhampton’s Jurassic Creek Adventure Golf wins at Tourism Awards
Jurassic Creek, an 18-hole dinosaur themed adventure golf course in Coven, Wolverhampton has proven that golf - in all its forms - is a major tourist attraction for the region by winning bronze in the New Tourism Business category at the 2025 Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards, supported by the University of Staffordshire. The venue beat off competition from more than 100 locations across the region to make the final.
The 18-hole Jurassic Creek Adventure Golf Course opened in 2023 and attracts over 60,000 tourists a year. The amazing, animated dinosaurs can be seen from the main road and sit in a Jurassic world that includes a meandering river, an impressive waterfall which is now home to the 3 Hammers pterodactyl, and Roaryneckilroy – a life size brachiosaurus named after Tour golfer Rory McIlroy!
“We’ve been stunned by the amount of new people we continue to see visiting the 3 Hammers and enjoying Jurassic Creek,” comments owner Ian Bonser. “This award recognises the contribution that we make to the local economy and the fantastic experience that my staff deliver when people come here. Golf can be a difficult sport to access, but we hope that when visitors leave here, they have had their eyes opened to what it can look like and are encouraged to play again once they get home.”
When the judges made their site visit towards the beginning of the year, they were particularly impressed by how accessible Jurassic Creek is for people of all ages and abilities. The entire complex is wheelchair and buggy friendly, and the Adventure Golf course provides special SEN events for local and national charities including The National Autistic Society who have brought hundreds of individuals from across the country to the Coven venue.
Celebrating 11 years of Staffordshire Excellence, the Tourism Awards were announced by Midlands Today presenter Rebecca Wood at a Gala Dinner in Stoke-on-Trent this Thursday (20th March). These awards are 1 of 16 affiliated to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 and are the only route to the national stage.
Uniquely, 3 Hammers offers a combination of golf experiences that caters to all levels. With a driving range, short course and full PGA Staff, there is a clear pathway for people to learn and develop their game without the pressures of a formal golf setting. 16.3 million adults are playing some form of the game every year with more children and families participating in non-traditional golf than ever before which demonstrates the need for more inclusive venues like the 3 Hammers Golf Complex. www.jurassiccreek.co.uk
• Golf Genius and Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] Expand Longstanding Relationship With CoachNow Partnership
Golf Genius, the leading provider of cloud-hosted golf software solutions, has announced an agreement with the Confederation of Professional Golf [CPG] to provide PGA members and coaches in the CPG network with exclusive access to its market-leading coaching solution, CoachNow.
As part of the agreement, CoachNow becomes a ‘Coaching Software Supplier’ to the CPG and will assist PGA Professionals and coaches across its network with the running of their coaching businesses through preferential product access and pricing, as well as educational content and resources on the business of coaching.
Ian Randell, Chief Executive of the CPG, said: “Evolving the way golf coaches engage with their clients towards a more relationship-based model is key to driving long-term success for golfers and coaches. We fully believe in the tools and capabilities provided within the CoachNow platform to achieve that progression for every golf professional and coach and thus furthering their position as golf’s ultimate influencer.
“We are therefore delighted to be expanding our longstanding partnership with Golf Genius to now embrace CoachNow, supporting our efforts to innovate and provide world-class learning and business opportunities to PGA professionals and coaches, and urge those interested in developing their coaching businesses to take advantage of this exclusive offer and access to the CoachNow platform.”
Trusted by the world’s best coaches, academies, and national programmes in 140 countries worldwide, CoachNow is a technology platform that helps PGA professionals build successful coaching businesses with enhanced athlete collaboration, communication and coaching tools.
Craig Higgs, Managing Director of Golf Genius International, commented: “CPG are a key partner in the game of golf who drive standards in the business of golf coaching across the globe. We’re really pleased to be working with them, their Member Country PGAs and consequently, their PGA Members to drive world-class coaching through technology. Our entire team is looking forward to an innovative and industry-evolving partnership.”
Exclusively available to PGA members and coaches of the CPG network, the member offer includes 4-month’s free trial access to CoachNow Pro, followed by a discounted price on all plans after the free trial period has concluded.
Any interested and eligible members can find out more at: https://coachnow.io/cpg or by contacting emea@coachnow.io.
• Essendon Country Club Honoured at 59 Club Awards for Excellence in Service and Facilities
Essendon Country Club has been recognised among the top-performing venues at the annual 59 Club Awards Dinner, earning a distinguished Silver Flag designation for its outstanding service and exceptional facilities.
Golf clubs and resorts all over the UK & Ireland were recognised at the Double Tree by Hilton at Stadium MK last week. With awards spanning various categories of service excellence – in management, sales, service, operations, retail, spa, golf course management, and food & beverage – 59club UK & Ireland honoured the best performing venues of all sizes.
In addition to the club’s Silver Flag recognition, Essendon Country Club’s Gyzelle Headington was nominated for the Food & Beverage Manager of the Year in the Green Fee £159 – £75 category. This prestigious nomination highlights Gyzelle’s exceptional leadership and dedication to delivering an outstanding food and beverage experience for members and guests alike.
59club’s Gold, Silver, and Bronze Flag Designations represent an industry benchmark of excellence. Qualification for these prestigious accolades is determined by scores achieved through a mystery shopping program, which measures the experience afforded to members and visitors.
“This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for our members and guests, both on and off the course,” said Gyzelle Headington, Food & Beverage Manager at Essendon Country Club.
“A huge thank you to our incredible team for their hard work and to our members for their continued unwavering support!”
Essendon’s General Manager, Paul Densham, commented “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from the 59 Club. The prestige associated with the Silver Flag designation combined with our recent inclusion in Golf World’s Top 100 Parkland Courses in GB&I in 2024, shows that we are building fantastic momentum both on and off the golf course here at Essendon Country Club. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”
With this accolade, Essendon Country Club joins an elite group of venues recognised for their unwavering dedication to both golfing excellence and customer service.
For more information about Essendon Country Club and its award-winning facilities, visit https://www.essendoncc.co.uk/