MEET THE JUDGES
We have recruited a panel of independent judges from across the industry, each chosen for their expertise and insight to select the deserving winners of each category.
Bryce Ritchie
Editor, bunkered
Head Judge
As editor of bunkered golf magazine, Bryce oversees all things golf for the award-winning bunkered magazine, including its print and digital content. He is also a co-host for the multiple award-winning bunkered Golf Podcast and is a former Editor of the Year.
Robert Richardson
Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Hospitality
Robert Richardson FIH MI is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Hospitality (IoH), the award-winning, global, professional body of almost 15,000 hospitality professionals worldwide and a registered charity. IoH is dedicated to driving the recognition of the hospitality profession and uplifting its membership through lifelong learning, mentorship and network-building.
David J Whyte
Travel Writer & Photographer
Travel writer & photographer, David J Whyte has worked with Scottish golf courses since the early 90s. David contributed travel features & photography to golf publications from Japan to Germany, USA & Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Australia and Singapore. Three decades of travelling for golf have given him a remarkable insight into what makes for a great golfing destination.
Scott Macpherson
Golf Course Designer
As the man behind Scott Macpherson Golf Design, which is described as a “boutique golf course architect company”, Scott oversees a thriving and award-winning course design business that has created several notable layouts and undertaken celebrated renovation projects around the world.
David Longmuir
Manager of the PGA in Scotland
With a proven track record in sponsorship, David’s role is to deliver and manage the activities of the PGA in Scotland by supporting around 600 members in all aspects of business, education, playing opportunities and commercial sustainability.
Karla Sinclair
Food & Drink Writer, The Press and Journal
Karla Sinclair is a Food & Drink Writer at The Press & Journal, published by DC Thomson. She is responsible for covering the subject, whether it involves working directly with a diverse range of businesses in the food and drink sector or reviewing restaurants, across the north-east, Moray and Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Andrew Baptie
Head of Club Services and Governance, Scottish Golf
Andrew leads Scottish Golf’s club services team, and the provision of support to Scottish Golf’s member clubs. This includes direct guidance and resources on key areas such as business planning and governance. The club services team also lead on Scottish Golf’s emerging equality and sustainability strategies. Andrew has worked in the sport for over 20 years, previously working for both sportscotland and UK Sport and is also a member of Craigmillar Park Golf Club in Edinburgh.
John Murray
Partnership Assistant Manager, Global Marketing at VisitScotland
John is a Partnership Assistant Manager within Brand & Global Marketing at VisitScotland which is the team responsible for providing strategic leadership and innovation across all elements of brand identity, creative and marketing delivery. A recent “Rising Marketing Star” finalist in the Scotland Marketing Society Awards, John is also part of VisitScotland’s Golf Gatekeeper Group and has worked on past major golf events in Scotland.