Colin Montgomerie Backs Turkish Golf Development

Published:

2010 Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie has revisited The Montgomerie Maxx Royal, at Belek in Turkey where he met key players in the country’s rapid golf development.

He was also in the country to look at potential development opportunities with his golf course design partner European Golf Design.

His visit follows the recent announcement of a new matchplay event in October, supported by Turkish Airlines, featuring Tiger Woods and other top players, which is to be played at another of EGD’s courses in the region, the Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club, where the country’s first prospective European Tour Event, the Turkish Open could take place in 2013.

With golf returning to the Olympics in the Rio 2016 Games, it is hoped that a committed approach to the sport’s development from grass roots through to elite level will also pay dividends in Istanbul’s bid to host the event in 2020.

Montgomerie said: “The opportunity for golf to develop in Turkey is phenomenal. I am hugely impressed with the measures instigated by the Turkish Golf Federation and the government to develop golf for tourism and local play. This is a country the golfing world needs to watch closely.”

Jeremy Slessor, Managing Director of EGD, said: “Golf in Turkey is growing quickly and thanks to destinations such as the Maxx Royal Resort in Belek, golf tourists who visit here depart with an appetite for more.”

The Turkish government has already proven its dedication to developing golf at a grass roots level and in KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice Golf Participation in Europe 2011 survey it was reported that the country boasts an overwhelming majority share of junior golfers (52 per cent), which stems from its national ‘Golf Junior League’ initiative.

Boasting 14 golf courses, Turkey’s Mediterranean coast has already established itself as an award-winning international golf tourism hotspot, hosting the International Golf Travel Market in 2011 and has ambitious plans for more golf resorts.

Ahmet Agaoglu, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, who met with Montgomerie at the Maxx Royal Resort said: “The European golfing community has begun to recognise Turkey as a popular resort for golf tourism and in October, when the Turkish Airways World Golf Finals featuring Tiger Woods take place, the whole world will take a view of golf in Turkey.

“Belek is unlike any other golfing region with 14 courses and plentiful five-star hotels making this a very appealing destination to golf tourists. I expect to see continued golf development with new courses opening in the next two-to-five years.”

For more information, visit www.egd.com

 

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.