golf
world class courses, an excellent climate and fantastic
service
Turkey is nowwell established as a golf
destination. The excellent climate is an attraction, with
the added benefits of high standards of service and accommodation,
good value for money, and, of course, a fantastic range of
international standard golf courses. The resort of Belek,
on the Mediterranean coast, just 30 kms from Antalya, is at
the heart of Turkish golf. The first golf course opened here
in 1994, since when Belek has really established itself on
the international golf circuit with 7 top class courses, and
a further 5 planned. There are also golf courses situated
just outside Istanbul, with more planned for the Istanbul,
Ankara and Mugőla regions.
Handicap certificates must be produced, with a maximum of
28 for men and 36 for women, and soft spikes must be worn.
Belek
Belek is just 40 minutes drive from Antalya international
airport, making for a quick and easy transfer. The hotels
are all of 4 and 5 star standard and offer an excellent range
of leisure facilities, with plenty to explore in the surrounding
area. For more general information about Belek see page 62
or www.belektourismcenter.org
The Antalya Golf Club consists of two 18-
hole courses – The Pasha and The Sultan – both
of which offer challenges for all standards of golfer, in
a beautiful setting. The Sultan is the more challenging of
the two and was designed with the discerning golfer in mind.
Both courses were constructed by European Golf Design, under
the supervision of design consultant and Senior Tour professional,
David Jones. The Pasha is an 18 hole golf course of 5772 metres.
par 72. The Sultan is an 18 hole golf course of 6330 metres
in length, par 72. Course facilities include a restaurant,
bar, pro shop, locker and storage rooms. Buggies, electric
and manual trolleys and clubs are available for hire. Both
individual and group lessons with PGA professionals are also
available.
www.antalyagolfclub.com.tr
The Gloria Golf Club has 45 holes in play
all designed by French golf architect, Michel Gayon, situated
amidst pine forests at the foot of the Taurus Mountains.The
Gloria Old is considered a Gayon classic, with deep bunkers,
and no less than seven lakes, providing a challenge at all
levels. The Gloria Old was host to the PGA European Turkish
Senior Open in 1998, 2000 & 2001. It is 6288 metres, par
72. The 9 hole Gloria Verde golf course is set around a large
lake, in the midst of pine forest. It is par 36 and can be
played from two different tee positions and is 3148 metres
from the white tees. The Gloria New is a tree-lined parkland
styled course with a hint of seaside thanks to its undulations.
It measures 6280 metres, par 72 and opens on the 1stNovember2005.The
New Club House which opened in October 2005 was specially
designed for the Gloria Golf Resort, with comfortable restaurant,
bar, golfers’ lounge and large pro-shop & locker
room.The fully stocked Pro Shop will have PGA professionals
on site. The Driving Range has 2 floors West - South with
48 bays plus 30 Bays with grass tees plus a large putting
green, pitching green and practice Bunker.Also there are 72
Club Car, 2 person buggies and 18 sets of Callaway golf clubs
to hire.
www.gloriagolf.com
The Robinson Golf Club – Nobilis has
been open since 1998 and was designed by internationally renowned
architect, Dave Thomas. This championship standard course
of 6314 metres, par 72, is shaped from a beautiful natural
pine forest and positioned alongside Belek’s Ac‡su River,
covering an area of 729,000m2. It offers excellent playing
conditions and beautiful views of the surrounding mountain
scenery. The driving range holds 60 people. It has a stylish
Roman styled Clubhouse with a good restaurant and a Pro Shop.
www.nobilis.com.tr The National Golf Club was the first of
Belek’s golf courses to open in late 1994, and the first
in Turkey to be developed according to European PGA standards.
It was designed by Ryder Cup player David Feherty and Seniors
Tour player David Jones. Feherty has incorporated aspects
of the best courses he has competed on in theworld, and has
ensured that no two holes are similar. The 18 hole course
is 6,232 metres with a par of 72. Practice facilities comprise
a 40-bay driving range and two chipping and putting greens.
The National Golf Academy has a very pretty 1547 metre par
29 course including comprehensive instruction facility which
caters for all golfers, from the scratch player to the complete
beginner. Clubhouse facilities include a restaurant, bar,
boutique, terrace, locker and storage rooms and a pro-shop.
Buggies, rental trolleys, woods and irons are available for
hire, and PGA professionals are on hand for individual and
group lessons. www.nationalturkey.com
The Tat International Golf Club is set in
a stunning position, between the sweeping Besgöz
River and the Mediterranean Sea. The Tat International offers
golfers not only top-class facilities, but stunning views
in a magnificent setting. The 13-acre course has been designed
by Hawtree of England as three loops of 9 holes, which can
be combined and are called the TAT, the INTERNATIONAL and
the BELEK. From the championship white tees the Tat &
Belek measure 6115 metres, par 72; the Tat & the International
measure 6298 metres, par 72; and the Belek&the International
measure 6199 metres, par 72. There is also a 9 hole academy
course and practice facilities include an extensive driving
range, with two chipping and putting greens. The clubhouse
houses two restaurants, a snack bar, lounge, boutiques, locker
and storage rooms, pro shop, an outdoor swimming pool and
terraces. www.tatgolf.com.tr
Istanbul
Within a short distance of Istanbul there are two international
standard golf courses. For information on Istanbul see page
76.
The Klassis Golf and Country Club’s
course was designed by one of the world’s best known
golf players, Tony Jacklin, and has hosted the European ChallengeTour
in 1997 and 1998, and the BEKO Seniors PGA Tour in 1999. During
its design, top British, French and Belgian golf specialists
were consulted and the result is an exciting yet balanced
course. It has 18 holes and is 5850 metres, par 72. In addition
to the championship course, there is also a 9 hole academy
course, as well as a driving range and putting green. There
is an attractive clubhouse and horse riding, tennis, football
and swimming facilities are also on hand.
www.golf.klassis.com.tr
The Kemer Golf & Country Club is 30
minutes from the city centre, taking you into the Belgrade
Forest. This 18-hole championship golf course, designed by
Joan Dudok van Heel, according to USGAspecifications, caters
for all golfers whether they are beginners, or professionals
in search of a challenge. Its 6300 metre, par 73 course with
facilities include a training course, golf club facilities,
(restaurant, three café/bars, sports hall, cinema,
openair swimming pool), artificial lake, stables, mountain
bike and recreation club, eight tennis courts, mini football
field and playground. In addition, the Golf and Country Club
facilities include restaurants, a dining terrace, chess and
billiard hall, bar, gymnasium, squash courts, sauna, Jacuzzi,
winter garden, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts.
www.kg-cc.com
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