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The Appeal Of Playing Golf In Turkey

An intriguing mix of East and West, Turkey is the cradle of civilizations and cultures connecting Europe as well as Asia and is the capital of civilizations that ruled the in the lands of Anatolia for long periods of time. Turkey is an exceptional destination that is surrounded by stunning scenery amazing ancient ruins and a rich cultural heritage. Golf breaks in Turkey are now one of the most sought-after destinations.

In the last two years, Turkey has placed among the top tourist destinations in the world. According to World Tourism Organization (WTO) figures, Turkey has been ranking as the 6th most traveled country worldwide since 2012 and is expected to maintain its spot in 2014 with an unprecedented number of 41 million visitors from all around the world. For Europe, Turkey is the fourth most visited nation.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism has been working on innovative strategies to develop new products for tourism to meet the need for tourism through various methods. When it comes to alternative tourism, which is known as the “Capital of Golfing in Turkey’, Belek is a niche and a stylish resort is in Antalya is located along the Mediterranean coast.

Belek is the largest and most sought-after golfing destination in Turkey and has courses created in the name of Sir Nick Faldo and Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. Alongside the breathtaking golf course, Belek is also close to the fascinating tradition and culture of Antalya.

In the present, Turkey has nearly 25 international-level golf courses. Since 2008 Turkey has been awarded “The Country of Golf of the the Year” from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). Following the time that Tiger Woods played golf in Turkish Airlines Open in 2013, Turkey has got attraction as a golfing destination across the world.

Golf has seen rapid development over the last two decades in Mediterranean. It is also an essential factor in tourism development for the EMA region. Turkey has a booming improvement in its golf game, has competing with the leading players in the Mediterranean Market in Spain and Portugal. Lagardere the Senior Vice-President Golf Roddy Carr stated at the Turkish Airlines Open 2015 that “Spain required 15 years of development to achieve what Turkey accomplished in just 3 year.” In the next few several years Turkey can achieve better.

At the beginning of the 1990s Belek situated in Antalya was chosen by the Turkish government to be developed into a golf destination due to the advantages of the this region:

High-level accessibility. (Antalya International Airport (IATA) is among the largest Airports of Turkey)
The availability of a huge portion of land that is attached to the coast that is suitable for a variety of golf course developments.
The ideal climate conditions allow to play throughout the year round and provide the best golf conditions in the fall and spring.
The abundance of water that is sweet.

As a result, Belek-Antalya is now a major city for golfing in Turkey. However, Antalya is also one of the most popular “sea and sun” as well as “historical or cultural” tourist destinations of Turkey. With 16 luxury gold resorts, Belek offers golfers a “full family holiday”.

With the improvement in golf, Belek has turned out one of the top stars of golf in the last 10 years.

Alongside Belek-Antalya, Istanbul serves with two golf courses of major importance, and there are three course (2 in Bodrum-Mugla and one in Kusadasi-Aydin) located along Bodrum-Mugla and Kusadasi-Aydin) along the Aegean coast. The architectural influence of various civilisations and Sultan’s treasures stunning views of Bosphorus draw millions of tourists in Istanbul each year.

In addition to its breathtaking aesthetics, Istanbul serves golf lovers with two of the oldest clubs in Turkey: Kemer Golf Club and Klassis Golf Club. Both clubs have hosted national as well as international tournaments like the PGA Seniors Tour, European Club Cup Trophy from 1995.

The town of Kusadasi offers 185 acres of 18-hole golf course that has a spectacular panorama of Samos Island. It’s an unforgettable and challenging course in the olive and carob trees. Vita Park Golf Club in Bodrum is the first golf course located in Turkey and the 3rd one in Europe to make use of the high-cost Paspalum turfgrass that is a green alternative.

Regarding the development of Golf the Turkish Golf Federation’s efforts are necessary to highlight. Turkish Golf Federation was established in 1895, with the title that was “Istanbul Klassis Club for Golf” however it was rebuilt in the 90s at the beginning. In 1996, the Turkish Golf Federation was founded and was accepted into with the European Golf Association (EGA) in 1997.

The goal for the association is to encourage golf and tourism in the golf industry. Turkish Golf Federation owns and manages numerous golf clubs across Turkey. TGF President Ahmet Agaoglu stated that they are committed to developing the golf sport for the younger generation of golfers as well as making sure those already active get the help they require to stay involved for the foreseeable future.

Since TGF the year it was founded the passion for golf has helped bring the game of golf within Turkey to the level it is today and has become one of the top golfing destinations. Golfers from all over the world are aware of the beauty of Turkey and the options offered in terms of upscale courses and top-of-the-line hospitality.

We want to spread the game with our own citizens, so that they will also be part of the international golfing community. Contrary to what many believe the golfing community is not restricted to the western regions of Turkey There are several cities in the eastern region with golfers registered who are engaged in their local communities to improve the game . They are also traveling to compete in tournaments and play across the country.

According to Agaoglu TGF Federation is working closely with the Turkish Government and a group of public and private investors to discover more places in which golf courses and training facilities could be built. At present, there are over 35 golf facilities in development within Turkey and sites have been located along the coast as well as throughout the country , to meet increasing demand locally and internationally.

The Turkish Golf Federation established The Junior Golf League, in which junior golfers from around the world take part in a competition to join the Turkish nation’s golf squad. Turkish Airlines supports the Turkish National Golf Team as and there are hopes of sending at least one player to Tokyo in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Not just the TGF but as well Turkish Airlines contributes Golf sport in the form of developing new opportunities. It is important to highlight all the work of our National Flight carrier Turkish Airlines (THY).

There are currently several amateur and professional tournaments in the Turkey Golf Federation’s calendar for 2015. Of them three of the most important professional golf tournaments that are on their calendar are the Turkish Airlines Challenge, Turkish Airlines Open and the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open, each of which is being held in Belek.

These three events include Turkish Airlines’ title sponsored events that are contributing to the increase of Turkish people’s understanding of golf through the introduction of significant tournaments into Turkey. Particularly The Turkish Airlines Open has helped to raise the profile and increase awareness about Turkey as a golfing destination.

It is the Turkish Airlines Open and Ladies Open which is now the cornerstone for the European Tour’s “Final Series’ and Ladies European Tour – takes place in May and is attended by some of the most prestigious players in the sport. It also with the biggest purses in the world. The tournament is held in March. Turkish Airlines Challenge is also an important event in the European Tour.

Additionally, Turkish Airlines continues to help golfers across the board including the last round of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup Amateur Series being held just before The Turkish Airlines Open. It is now in its third year it is the Amateur Series continues to cross the globe and leave its mark on the sport of golf.

There are more than 70 events taking place in 47 nations The Amateur Series begins in Johannesburg and moves across the world, giving the opportunity amateur golfers to compete to make it to the Grand Finals in Belek. Alongside this competition, Turkish Airlines offers to carry the equipment of one golfer free to golfers who decide to golf while in Turkey.

Due to the numerous advantages mentioned over, the game of golf can be among of the most prominent elements of tourism in Turkey. Turkish Government is keen on golf as a way to boost tourism. In the present, there are more than 25 planned courses in Antalya as well as eight additional in other regions of Turkey.

In the end, it is possible to say that golf has been expanding rapidly within Turkey as well. One of the biggest challenges associated with this expansion is to increase the interest in golf locally in the near future so that we can keep the game alive in Turkey.