PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (July 16, 2010) �Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa announces the addition of Mark Butcher as the resort�s director of food and beverage. Butcher oversees the operations of more than six restaurants, lounges and eateries, including the upscale Augustine Grille and V. Kelly�s restaurants. 

�Culinary excellence at the Sawgrass Marriott is part of what defines our award-winning resort experience,� said Jeff Mayers, general manager of the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. �We are excited to welcome Mark to our team, and his inspirational leadership complements the distinct tastes, styles and environments at all of our signature restaurants.�

Butcher has more than 30 years of experience in the culinary arts. Before joining the Sawgrass Marriott, he worked at such locations as the AAA Five Diamond-rated restaurant The Oakroom at the Seelbach Hilton, the Eden Roc Renaissance Resort & Spa, the Fort Lauderdale Marina Marriott and the Marco Island Marriott. 

As director of food and beverage, Butcher plans to focus on ensuring exceptional guest experiences, leadership development, menu creation and fostering a culture of innovation. Sustainability at the resort�s restaurants, through using local and regional farmers, growers and artisans to supply menu items, is also a priority for Butcher.

For more information about the resort and its restaurants, call (904) 285-7777 or visit online at www.sawgrassmarriott.com.

About Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, host of THE PLAYERS Championship, is Northeast Florida�s premiere destination for vacations, conferences and special events. The award-winning resort has been ranked as the #1 Best Golf Resort in Florida and the ninth best golf resort in the country by Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine. Guests of the resort have exclusive access to eight championship courses including THE PLAYERS Stadium course, a Pete Dye-designed course ranked by Golf.com as the 
#1 best course to play in Florida and ranked #10 by Golf Magazine for best course to play in the United States. Other amenities of the resort include the Spa at Sawgrass, a 25,000 square-foot oasis featuring 19 treatment rooms, a wellness center with trainers, fitness classes, men�s and women�s locker rooms, a private pool and exclusive parking. For beach enthusiasts, the Cabana Beach Club is a private and relaxing beachfront getaway for the entire family to enjoy the simple pleasures of Ponte Vedra Beach. The newly renovated club features private beach access, a Junior Olympic heated swimming pool, three restaurants, shower and changing facilities, a playground, towel service and beach rentals.

To visit the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, travel J. Turner Butler Boulevard East to State Road AIA South toward Ponte Vedra/St. Augustine. Turn right on PGA TOUR Boulevard and turn left into the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. 
For more information about the resort, call (904) 285-7777 or visit online at www.sawgrassmarriott.com.