NEW CAIRO, Egypt - The global golf tourism and development industry gathered in New Cairo as the World Golf Awards staged its 13th annual Gala Ceremony at Madinaty Golf Club. Marking the event’s inaugural staging on the African continent, the ceremony celebrated elite destinations worldwide, design milestones, and luxury lifestyle developments.

The gala culminated a three-day international program held from November 5–7, featuring the World Golf Awards Classic on Madinaty’s 18-hole Championship Course, owned by TMG Golf.

Milestones in Golf Architecture and Development

A headline moment of the evening came in the global architectural division, where Indian golf course architect Aashish Vaishnava made history alongside British design partner Jon Hunt under their practice, AV IDG. Vaishnava became the first Indian golf course architect to be named individually to win the coveted Golf Course Designer of the Year (World) title.

Operating under the collaborative philosophy "Designed Together. Honoured as One," the cross-border partnership unites AV from India and the Bristol-based International Design Group (IDG). The award places Vaishnava and Hunt on an exclusive roll of honor previously dominated by legends such as Ernie Els, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Greg Norman, and Sir Nick Faldo.

"For me, this is a moment to put Indian golf design in the international conversation," said Vaishnava. "It belongs to the people who have trusted our ideas, our team, and the partnership Jon and I have built. I hope it encourages more young Indians to see golf as a profession in which they can contribute on the world stage."

Beyond their primary design triumph, courses associated with AV IDG earned regional accolades: Prestige Golfshire Club captured India’s Best Golf Course 2026, while the UAE's Al Dhannah Golf Club secured Middle East’s Best 9 Hole Golf Course 2026.

In real estate and community master planning, Thailand’s Reignwood Park emerged as a dominant international powerhouse, completing a clean sweep of premier categories. Developed across roughly 800 acres by Reignwood Group under a multi-generational living model, the development secured both World's Best Golf Real Estate Venue 2026 and Asia's Best Golf Real Estate Venue 2026.

Reignwood Park’s private championship layout, Robinswood Golf Club, added a third major honor by being crowned Thailand's Best Golf Course 2026.

"Receiving the World's Best and Asia's Best Golf Real Estate Venue awards is a tremendous honour and a source of great pride," said Woraphanit Ruayrungruang, CEO of Reignwood Group. "These honours reflect our vision of creating a development that goes beyond luxury residences to offer a comprehensive lifestyle experience built around quality of life, wellbeing, and meaningful connections across generations."

Robinswood General Manager Seehachet "Pro It" Saifon credited the grounds and service personnel, noting that the accolade reflects "the commitment of our team to every aspect of the golfing experience, from course maintenance and playing conditions to facilities and personalised services."

Global Destinations and Equipment Leaders

The wider awards slate recognized benchmark achievements across tourism and commercial sectors:

• Top Destinations: Portugal was voted World’s Best Golf Destination, while Portugal’s Silver Coast was named World's Best Emerging Golf Destination.
• Hospitality: China’s Mission Hills Haikou took the trophy for World’s Best Golf Hotel.
• Scottish Showcases: Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen captured World’s Best 36 Old & New Course. Sister property Trump Turnberry Resort secured two wins, with Trump’s Twelve named World’s Best Par 3 Golf Course and The Lighthouse recognized as World’s Best Halfway House.
• Brands & Operators: PING won World’s Best Golf Club Brand, FootJoy claimed World’s Best Golf Shoe Brand, Fairways and FunDays earned World’s Best Golf Tour Operator, and ION 54 took home Golf Business of the Year.
• Lifetime Achievement: Veteran architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. received the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating a portfolio spanning more than 300 courses across 50 nations and six continents.

A Platform for Regional Tourism

World Golf Awards Managing Director Chris Frost praised the debut host venue:

"Bringing World Golf Awards to Africa for the first time was a landmark moment for us, and Egypt proved a magnificent host. Madinaty Golf Club gave us a championship course, superb hospitality, and a warm welcome for the leaders of golf tourism from around the world."

Omar Hisham Talaat, Chief Business Development Officer of TMG, framed the occasion as a catalyst for regional expansion:

"Welcoming this prestigious international event to Africa for the very first time demonstrates Egypt’s ability to host world-class sporting occasions and deliver exceptional experiences on the global stage. This is more than a successful event; it is another important milestone in establishing Egypt as a premier international golf tourism destination."

Decided through a year-long voting cycle, the World Golf Awards tabulates votes from industry professionals, global media, and traveling golf enthusiasts worldwide.

For a full list  https://worldgolfawards.com/winners/2026