Great Golf holidays in Turkey

Turkey has long been admired as the point where East meets West – where industrialised Europe rubs against exotic Asia.
Fortunately for golfers, it has more recently become popular for mixing two other contrary elements, its ancient culture and international-style holiday resorts.

Serious golfers should note that Turkey offers a superb championship course near Istanbul, at the Klassis Golf and Country Club which was designed by Tony Jacklin. But for many players the good news is that many of the courses are sited on the south coast.

If Turkey had followed the traditional pattern and developed its courses near the main cities, they would have been less intriguing. After all, cities like Istanbul can seem as daunting as they are exciting.

But the country has consciously set its golf headquarters at Belek, an easily accessible area on its Mediterranean coast, surrounded by natural wonders and intriguing archaeological sites. In addition, Belek is only 30 minutes from the international airport of Antalya and a variety of excellent resorts.

To see and do

Golfers can enjoy Turkey’s natural beauty without travelling too far as the Belek courses feature pine forests and seaside holes, against the Taurus Mountain’s backdrop.

If time permits golfers should visit the 15,000 seat Greco-Roman stadium at the nearby town of Aspendos which is well preserved.
The stadium is still in use today and hints at the accessible archaeological treasures that are scattered along this stretch of coastline.

To eat and drink

Turkish cuisine is regarded as one of the most distinctive in the world. Most meals start with a vast range of appetisers from stuffed mussels to cucumber and yoghurt spiced with garlic.
Stuffed vegetables (dolmas) and fresh fish such as mackerel and swordfish are popular.

Wines, Turkish and imported, are available, but beer and raki are ubiquitous, expect your coffee strong.

Nightlife

Belek’s many hotels provide a wide choice of beach clubs, bars and discos. But the more adventurous may want to travel to Antalya where the narrow streets around the Old Town and harbour offer more variety and mysterious fare.

Belly dancing and folk dances are common and are often more engrossing than foreigners initially imagine.

The Golf

The resort of Belek, Turkey’s golf epicentre, didn’t exist until very recently. Its beaches running for nearly 30km were hidden by dense pine forests and were largely unknown in Turkey.

It was only in 1984 that they were selected for development as a tourism destination, with golf as the focal point.

So the courses here are quite new. The oldest, the National, designed by Ryder Cup stat David Feherty, only opened in 1994.

But Belek’s other golf courses have also proved their quality, hosting major events fir the European PGA’s demanding Senior Tour.
The National and three others – the 27 hole Tatgolf International, Antalya and Kadriye Sultan – are situated close together at the western end of Belek. A few minutes away at the eastern end are the Gloria and Nobilis courses.

In between are some two dozen quality hotels and resorts.

Where to stay

Gloria Golf Resort is beautifully situated near the beach and offers spectacular views of the Taurus Mountains. With the International Airport and the beautiful cities of Belek and Antalya in close vicinity, it makes it the ideal resort to spend your golf holiday. The hotel boasts 420 guest rooms, including suites, junior suites, villas and the new Gloria suites, set amongst lush gardens and pines looking at the golf course.

One can discover a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from traditional Turkish food to a la carte menus and from the best international cookery to snacks and pastries. A refreshing drink can be enjoyed in one of the splendid bars the hotel has on offer and other facilities like sporting facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a cinema and a disco are featured. But of course the main focus of your holiday is golf. The Gloria Golf Club, designed by celebrated French architect Michel Gayon, is the largest golf complex in Turkey. Three different courses ranging from 9 to 45 holes are present. The combination of the amazing golf course and the attention to detail the resort is known for, ensures a golf holiday you will never forget.

Gloria Golf Resort is a member of Great Hotels of the World Luxury Collection. Rooms start from $94. For more information or to book please visit http://www.ghotw.com/gloria-golf or call 020 7380 3658.