| golf |
01.01.2007
Golfing on the Turkish coast
For years, the golf courses along the Turkish coast have presented a worthwhile alternative to those in other pleasant climates, such as Spain or the Canary Islands. In that respect, the Turkish Riviera is growing in popularity all the time. Recently, the government earmarked dozens of new sites for the creation of golf courses. Because, where the number of ‘normal’ tourists seems to be declining, the number of golf-tourists is increasing. Therefore, this seems to be a good investment.
We take a look at where it all began in this region: the ‘golf capital’ of Belek, approximately half an hour’s drive from Antalya airport.
There was a time when Turkey was totally unheard of when it came to golf. But in the last decade, especially the south coast and, in particular, the town of Belek – has transformed itself into a serious golfing destination. More and more golfers, especially those from Great Britain, Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands, who are regular travellers to golfing destinations in the sun, have added Belek to their lists. Thats not surprising really, when you consider that the courses are set out, dare we say it, amidst such pleasant surroundings. Meandering between the trees, bordering immediately on the Mediterranean Sea and with a view towards the mountain peaks (snow-covered in the winter) of the Taurus range.
According to the history books, golf has existed in Turkey since 1895, when the Istanbul Golf Club first opened. In 1905 the Bornova Golf Club in Izmir followed suit, and in 1949 the Ankara Golf Club (in Ankara) was opened. But even back in those days they werent like the golf clubs we are familiar with today. The first professional golf course in Turkey, that is the Klassis Golf Country in Istanbul, opened in 1994. Soon afterwards, that same year, The National Golf Club in Belek opened its doors.
Synonymous
The transformation of Belek and its surroundings into a golf-mecca began some sixteen years ago. Prior to that, the flat coastline was mainly one long continuous strip of pine and eucalyptus trees, owned by the state. In 1990, however, the Ministry of Tourism decided to designate a number of areas around Antalya as golfing locations, including Belek which, back then, was hardly even on the map.
the number of golf tourists coming to Turkey is on the increase. To cope with this demand, a significant number of new golf courses will be constructed along the Turkish Riviera over the next few years, including in the neighbourhood of Belek. there are moves currently afoot to construct four new ones, including Kaya Golf Club and Cornelia Golfers dont just fly out here to play on a single course. Quite rightly, they love to play a particular course on one day and another one the next, because all courses are different. In short, its the number and diversity of courses that makes this such a popular golfing destination.”
The mayor, therefore, also welcomes the arrival of the new golf courses. Hes even already dreaming about a quadrupling of the current 15,000 residents in his municipality, so that Antalya really does become the golfing capital of the Turkish Riviera.
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