Turkey has been awarded “Best Golf Destination of the Year – Europe 2008” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), an hour that is likely to boost tourism and attract greater rental revenue for owners of holiday homes.
“This is a tremendous accolade for Turkey”.“The Ministry of Tourism has recently announced the allocation of new land for five international golf clubs to be completed in two years time and such is the high level of interest in the Belek region a Golf Society was launched in 2006.”
Belek, Antalya was where Sweden’s Lotta Wahlin stormed to her maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) victory at the 200,000 euro Garanti American Express Turkish Ladies Open in May of this year. The National Golf Club’s President Bulent Goktuna said that they were honoured to have hosted such an important event.
Colin Montgomerie, eight-time European player of the year, has visited Belek, Antalya to see the Papillon Golf Course which he is designing and is due to be officially opened in September 2008.
Turkey is therefore becoming a major player in the golfing world as not only are they building superior courses, many of them to international playing standards, but also they are helped by the weather where in the summer the Mediterranean breezes refresh golfers. Mild winters in the Antalya region make the area perfect when British courses may not be. An all year round facility with stunning scenery of mountains and sea make this truly a place for those seriously interested in golf.
“Winning the coveted IAGTO Award puts Turkey ahead of such golf renowned countries as Portugal and Spain and because we are outside the euro zone and the cost of living is lower than in other parts of Europe, we see a great future for Turkey through its amazing golf facilities.” |
