Sam Baker Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Elevate Golf Honors the Vision Behind Golf and the Good Life
We’re thrilled to announce that our Founder and Chairman, Sam Baker, has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from Elevate Golf. Presented at the inaugural Elevate Golf event held at The Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, this award celebrates Sam’s decades of invaluable contributions to the golf travel industry.
When Sam founded Haversham & Baker in 1991, he coined the phrase Golf and the Good Life as a guiding principle. His vision of blending world-class golf with enriching off-course experiences has redefined what it means to travel for golf. For over 30 years, this concept has served as the foundation for our company and set a new standard for excellence in golf travel.
A proud evening for members of the H&B team on hand in St. Andrews.
Chris McConn (Director of Planning), John Baker (Managing Partner), Liz Baker, Sam Baker, and Whitney Hedrick (Director of Member Services).
As Sam himself said, “Receiving this award is a tremendous honor, and I’m deeply grateful. When I started H&B at my kitchen table, I looked back at my own travels and realized that the time spent connecting with the destinations and local culture was just as fulfilling as the golf itself. I wasn’t sure if Golf and the Good Life would resonate with others, but all these years later, it’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision connect more than ever with our travelers.”
Since those early days, Haversham & Baker has grown into a leading name in golf travel, becoming the preferred choice for private club members and PGA Professionals who seek renowned courses across Scotland, Ireland, and beyond. Today, Sam’s son, John Baker, serves as our CEO, carrying forward his father’s legacy and commitment to excellence.
As John noted, “This award is a well-deserved recognition of my dad’s dedication to his original vision. With today’s travelers more experience-driven than ever, it’s about so much more than a golf trip—it’s about creating meaningful moments both on and off the course, just as he envisioned. That mantra will always continue to guide us.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented at the Elevate Golf event, an industry gathering that connects premium golf courses, luxury accommodations, and leading golf tour operators from around the world. Held in the iconic setting of St. Andrews, this event is dedicated to building meaningful, long-term relationships in the golf travel industry. The gala dinner which capped the event at The Old Course Hotel was a fitting venue to celebrate Sam’s lasting impact.
This award highlights not only Sam’s enduring influence on the golf travel industry but also the countless memories and connections he has helped create over the years. We’re immensely proud to see his dedication celebrated alongside friends, partners, and colleagues at the Elevate event and we look forward to carrying the torch for Golf and the Good Life for years to come.
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