Less known is the fact that golf started in Turkey back in 1895 at the Istanbul Golf Club, until recently the oldest sports club in Turkey. However, the story of Turkey as a golfing destination truly began with Belek.
Located along Turkey's vibrant southern coast, Belek enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually and averages temperatures of 24°C, making it one of the world's top golfing destinations. Since the opening of its first golf club, The National, in 1994, Belek has transformed into a luxurious hub boasting more than 50 5-star, all-inclusive hotels and 16 pristine golf courses. These exclusive clubs provide unparalleled experiences, ensuring every aspect of your golfing adventure is meticulously catered to.
Behind Belek's success lies extensive effort and strategic planning. Effective marketing has played a pivotal role in showcasing Belek's offerings to the world. Golfers often compare Belek with other renowned destinations like Spain, Portugal, and Egypt, each with its unique advantages. Nevertheless, Belek consistently earns accolades and high rankings from prestigious platforms such as Leading Courses, Golf Digest, Top 100 Golf Courses, Golf World, and others.
Notably, Golf World and Today's Golfer magazines have been instrumental in promoting Belek's golfing excellence. Their comprehensive coverage and positive reviews have significantly enhanced Belek's reputation as a top-tier golf destination in Europe.
Collaborating with these media professionals benefits from their extensive global travel and industry experience. Their authoritative rankings use criteria such as design, setting, memorability, playability, consistency, and presentation for golf course ratings. Resort ratings also consider courses, accommodation, setting, and non-golf amenities.
Belek has consistently appeared in prestigious lists such as the Top 100 courses in Continental Europe, Top 100 resorts in Continental Europe, and Top 100 courses in the World since 2008, facilitating golfers in planning their trips. Editorials announce new facilities and tournaments while occasionally removing courses and resorts due to negative management changes or declines in quality.
Courses like Carya, Cornelia, Gloria, Kaya, Lykia Links, Montgomerie, National, Nobilis, PGA Sultan, Sueno, and others have received multiple rankings from Golf World, Today's Golfer, and other prestigious rankers. Their individual recognition in the global market underscores their impact on golf in the Belek destination. In 2024, Belek's golf offerings span a 20km coastline, featuring 11 golf clubs with 16 courses and a total of 288 holes. Annually, Belek hosts approximately 200,000 golfers from around the world, who play around 550,000 rounds. Nearly all Belek clubhouses provide world-class Turkish hospitality with all-inclusive offerings during the golf season.
As a golf industry professional, I have witnessed the immense benefits of launching marketing campaigns with these media professionals. Their efforts have significantly expanded our destination's global presence in a professional manner, positioning us competitively against counterparts worldwide.
About the Author:
Ayhan Gökdemir has been actively involved in the Belek golf industry since 2003, contributing to various roles in golf operations, hospitality, and travel agency management. Since 2017, he has managed OWL Tourism, specializing in tailored golf breaks and family holidays. During Ayhan's tenure, Lykia Links Antalya achieved notable rankings:
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