by Mary-Kate Roan
Staff Writer
There are more than just new owners at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa.
“There have been a lot of changes,” said Dana Foltice, marketing director at Clockwork Marketing, the Jacksonville Beach company that handles the Marriott account. “From management to looks, Sawgrass Marriott has undergone a big transformation.”
“We’ve transformed the look of it,” said Jeff Kmeic, director of sales and marketing for the Sawgrass Marriott.
But while the renovations are not quite finished, the improvements up next are minor when compared to last December’s overhaul of the lobby and the 508 rooms.
“We introduced what’s called ‘the great room concept’ with the lobby,” said Kmeic. “That means that there are multiple things for people to do.”
And he’s right. With flat panel television screens centered around a cluster of sofas, high speed Internet computer places, and access to an outside deck complete with a view of not just the pond outside but also a glimpse of the famous Stadium course, the place looks like a golfer’s paradise with something to offer for the entire family.
“It was funny in May when there were golfers (from The Players Championship) who had already finished their rounds sitting in front of the lobby televisions commenting on the other players” said Kmeic. “And the fans were sitting beside them and talking about the matches, too.”
Another trend has been more and more international guests. According to Kmeic, it has more to do with the exchange rate of the dollar vs. European currency than the convenient location or the name of the resort. Of course, that’s not mentioning it’s owned by an investment group in Dublin, Ire. called RQB Structured Property Development.
“The owners are great,” said Kmeic. “They focus on the services and things like that rather than just the financial figures.”
Along with the new looks and new management, there is a new title to add to the mix: the No. 1 spot on Golf and Leisure Magazine’s 2008 List of Florida’s Best Golf Resorts. Sawgrass Marriott also has bragging rights for being listed as No. 9 in the 2008 World’s Best Golf Resorts rankings, which were also done by Golf and Leisure.
“We can brag about that for at least a year,” said Kmeic.
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