SANDY LANE VOTED ‘GOLF RESORT OF THE YEAR 2007’ AT THE IAGTO AWARDS

(St. James, Barbados) – Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados is delighted to announce that is has been voted the 2007 Golf Resort of the Year by The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). The IAGTO’s 250 golf tour operators from 40 countries cast their votes to nominate the leading golf resorts in the world. Each operator was asked to nominate what they considered to be the best performing golf resorts this year and those most enjoyed by their golf traveling clients. The Golf Resort of the Year Award is split into three regional categories: North America, Europe and the Rest of the World. Sandy Lane was ranked the overall winner in the Rest of the World category.

Commenting on this recent accolade, Michael Pownall, Chief Executive of Sandy Lane, says, “It is a great honor to be presented with the IAGTO Award. It is testament to the development and investment that Sandy Lane has put into its golf courses over the past five years. We pride ourselves on offering a truly exceptional golf product and this award, together with our selection to host the World Golf Championships-World Cup in December, is further recognition of our commitment to the sport.”

Sandy Lane features three world-class golf courses: the historic Old Nine, the Tom Fazio-designed Sandy Lane Country Club which opened in 2001 and the recently opened, dramatic Green Monkey, also designed by Tom Fazio. Overlooking them all is the impressive Country Club, a superb clubhouse featuring a restaurant, bar and extensive pro shop. A 450-yard driving range is also located at The Country Club. Its two-sided North and South tees provide the added challenge of hitting against the trade winds.

The annual golf holiday is the highlight of the golfing year for many of the world’s 50 million players. With this in mind, the IAGTO Awards were established in 2000 to reward a few exceptional contributors to this world of golf travel.

All 250 of the IAGTO’s golf tour operators submitted their nominations for the Awards. The golf resort in each of the three regions with the highest average ranking received the 2007 Golf Resort of the Year accolade. Operators were asked to consider the following criteria: Customer Satisfaction, Quality of Golf Course/s & Accommodation, Value for money, Accessibility to Tee Times, Speed of communication and quality of service of the golf resort sales, marketing, reservation, administration and management staff.

June 2007

About Sandy Lane

Sandy Lane is located on the western coast of the island of Barbados.  Originally built in 1961, Dermot Desmond, J.P. McManus and partners purchased the property and golf course in 1996 and completely rebuilt and expanded, opening in March 2001.  This exclusive 112-room resort has stylish lodging in rooms that average 900 square feet, a five-bedroom villa, luxury Bentley airport transfers, four restaurants including the signature restaurant L’Acajou, five bars, a 47,000-square-foot spa and three distinct golf courses offering guests the best golf in the Caribbean.  Two of the courses are Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole courses including the Green Monkey Course.

Rates for 2006 at Sandy Lane range from $850 to $3600 for rooms, $1500 to $5300 for suites, and $3300 to $8800 for penthouses, and $8,000 to $25,000 for the Villa at Sandy Lane.  For more information and reservations, visit the resort’s website, www.sandylane.com or call Sandy Lane at (246) 444-2001 or toll free at 866-444-4080.  Sandy Lane is a partner of Virtuoso and a Member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts.