Despite Having 15,000+ Golf Courses, USA Gets Snubbed in a Major Accolade by a European Nation

The World Golf Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in the sport, recently announced its winners for 2022. And Scotland, the home of golf, won two awards, one of them being the most prestigious honor. Meanwhile USA, which takes pride in owning numerous golf courses, had to be content with its one victory. 

The Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island of Abu Dhabi hosted the 9th edition of the World Golf Awards ceremony on the evening of November 15. And winners in each category are selected by tour operators, golfing media, and fans worldwide. 

Scotland beat USA in winning the most prestigious award of the night

Popular for being the Home of Golf, Scotland was named the world’s best golf destination at the 2022 World Golf Awards. Additionally, the country is named Europe’s best location to play golf in. The country has more than 550 golf courses. Notably, the Old Course of St. Andrews Links, Scotland, recently hosted the 150th Open Championship. 

Despite having a history of playing golf since 1457, Scotland was unable to win the honor in the past eight times. The other countries that won it before Scotland were Vietnam (2021, 2019), Australia (2020), and Portugal (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014). 

On the other hand, the USA has never won the honor. Notably, the country is known for having at least 15,500 golf courses. They also have the PGA Tour, the most dominating organization to conduct events for professional golfers. 

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However, USA also got one of the other best awards of the evening, the Best Golf Course of 2022. Designed by William Flynn and built by Dick Wilson of Toomey and Flynn, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club got the prestigious honor. 

The New York-based golf club has been famous for hosting the events of the USGA. This includes the US Open and the US Amateur Championship. Notably, the 18-hole course will host the 2026 edition of the US Open Championship. 

Was the US honored with any other awards at the 2022 World Golf Awards? 

America didn’t win any awards, except for the Best Golf Course, at the World Golf Awards held in Abu Dhabi. In fact, the Shinnecock Hills could only win the award for its course. The Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in Saudi Arabia won the honor of the Best Golf Clubhouse. 

Meanwhile, Costa Navarino – International Olympic Academy Golf Course (Greece) and Els Performance Golf Academy (Vietnam) won best new course and best par-3 course, respectively. 

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When do you think the United States will win the ultimate honor?