Fairmont & Horschel: A Partnership Built on Common Values
On any given morning you can find Billy Horschel on the golf course, whether at a PGA Tour event or for leisure near his home in Jacksonville Beach. But some of his favorite golf destinations are Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. We had the pleasure of chatting with this five-time PGA Tour winner following his back-to-back top 15 finishes at Muirfield in July. We explored his love for the game and his relationship with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
No stranger to being on the road, Horschel has traveled for golf events since a young age. He recalls his first Fairmont experience at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona. His stay left a significant impression on him. He has since stayed at numerous Fairmont properties around the world, knowing he can enjoy a well-rounded family experience and exceptional service at each one. Horschel says, “Having an opportunity where my wife can enjoy the spa and the kids can enjoy the pools allows me to be more relaxed and enjoy time on the course. They think it’s the best thing in the world, and it’s just a nice change of pace and scenery from what we have back home.”
When asked his favorite golf destinations, without hesitation he responded with Fairmont Mayakoba in Mexico and Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada. Mayakoba has been a stop on the PGA Tour for several years and a destination where Horschel has put together some exceptional rounds. While he is very familiar with a links-style course, Horschel appreciates Mayakoba’s gorgeous scenic views and iconic golf shots. One of his favorites being #7 where Greg Norman designed the “Devil’s Mouth,” a cave bunker in the middle of the fairway leading to a risky second shot into the reachable par five. “It’s just a fun golf course,” says Horschel. “The course is built in the mangroves, so you have to hit it straight. Like every Fairmont course I’ve played, it’s a beautiful and challenging golf course.”
While Mayakoba is an exciting destination, his place of peace is Banff Springs. “Most folks may not know this because I’m from Florida, but mountain golf is my favorite,” explains Horschel. “I love Banff mountain golf, the wildlife on the course and getting to hit the ball a long way. It’s hard to beat.” One of several Fairmont courses designed by the legendary Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson, Banff Springs places #6 and Fairmont’s Jasper Park #3 in Canada’s Top 100 Courses for 2020 according to SCOREGolf, Canada’s top golf publication. In fact, these two courses have been in the top 10 for SCOREGolf’s list for more than 10 years.
As a former FedEx Cup Champion, Horschel is no stranger to the big stage. However, even he admits getting a rush from the pressure of onlooking patrons at the Waldhaus Restaurant, anxiously watching you tee off. “Number 15 at Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course is an iconic golf shot. You have a more than 100-foot drop off the tee box with a dramatic shot across the Spray River that funnels down onto the fairway with the mountains and trees in the backdrop,” Horschel explains. He emphasizes that playing these challenging Fairmont courses has given him an edge on the Tour. Not only are some of the Fairmont courses stops on the PGA Tour, but they also share similar designs from the most renowned architects in the game.
Horschel has been a proud brand ambassador and partner with Fairmont for more than five years. The world of professional golf is full of sponsorships, but when asked why he decided to partner with Fairmont, his answer reveals the sharing of core values. Horschel says, “It’s important for my partners’ values to align with me as a person. Treating people respectfully and giving back to the community are extremely important to me, and those values are on-brand with Fairmont. I feel confident and comfortable speaking as part of the Fairmont team, as they do for me.” These shared values give Horschel the confidence to represent Fairmont on his sleeve in tournament golf, while also assuring him he can expect outstanding hospitality when traveling with his family.
Michael Pickens is a golf enthusiast and player. When not on the course himself, he shares his knowledge and love of the game as a coach with The First Tee of the Upstate.