World Golf Awards, which recognises and rewards excellence in golf tourism, has revealed its 2026 winners at its 13th annual Gala Ceremony.
Hosted at Egypt’s Madinaty Golf Club, the event marked the first World Golf Awards to take place in Africa.
The awards ceremony formed the climax of a packed itinerary that included the World Golf Awards Classic, played on Madinaty’s 18-hole Championship Course. Owned by TMG Golf and managed by Troon, Madinaty Golf Club sits within the city of Madinaty on the eastern edge of New Cairo.
The results follow a year-long search for the world’s favourite golf tourism and hospitality brands. Votes were cast by golf industry professionals, the media and the public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in each category named the winner.
Winners included Portugal, which won the title of World’s Best Golf Destination, while its Silver Coast claimed World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination. Staying in Portugal, Terras Da Comporta won World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Course.
Mission Hills Haikou in China was voted World’s Best Golf Hotel.
Scotland made a strong showing. Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen won World’s Best 36 Old & New Course.
At Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayr, Trump’s Twelve was named ‘World’s Best Par 3 Golf Course and The Lighthouse took World’s Best Halfway House.
The Carriage House at Adare Manor in Ireland given the award for World’s Best Golf Clubhouse.
ION 54 was voted Golf Business of the Year. Fairways and FunDays won Best Golf Tour Operator.
PING took the award for Best Golf Club Brand and FootJoy was crowned Best Golf Shoe Brand.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., whose designs span more than 300 courses in over 50 countries across six continents, while Aashish Vaishnava and Jon Hunt were awarded Golf Course Designer of the Year.
Reignwood Park Thailand was judged World’s Best Golf Real Estate Venue, which was a new category for this year, while Costa Navarino in Greece was voted World’s Best Golf Venue.
Chris Frost, Managing Director, World Golf Awards, said: “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. My congratulations go to every winner.”
Omar Hisham Talaat, Chief Business Development Officer, TMG, said: “Hosting the 13th annual World Golf Awards at Madinaty Golf Club has been a truly proud and historic moment, not only for TMG Golf but for Egypt and the African continent. 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.”
For more information about World Golf Awards 2026, visit worldgolfawards.com and for a full list of winners click here.