Turkey's new golf boom

Marina Apartments in Didim

Turkey is about to give birth to a whole new golfing industry. The country, once a stranger to the game of golf, will in the next decade become one of the major golfing destinations, attracting both holidaymakers and UK golfers looking to make a new home there.

As part of its awakening to the economic benefits of increased tourism, and preparation towards hoped-for membership of the European Union, Turkey is rapidly embracing the ancient game at a phenomenal rate.

In May 2004, when the Turkish Golf Federation unveiled its ambitious new plans, there were just nine golf courses, - three at Istanbul, and the rest in the Antalya area, already a popular holiday destination for Britons. The federation has big golfing plans, however, and has set its sites on no fewer than 100 new golf courses in the next four years, turning Turkey into a real golfing hot spot.

Among the new destinations within Turkey is Bodrum, where Parador Properties is selling to UK and Irish buyers and will become home to at least nine golf courses. The company believes that in just a couple of years, the Bodrum area, including Gulluk, Gumsuluk and Didim will rival Spain’s Murcia coast, attracting keen golfers with an eye for a property bargain.

Graham and Phil Parsons – investing.

It’s a ten-minute walk from the beach, and an hour from Bodrum’s existing golf course, with another course in the planning stage. They hope it will attract keen golfers as they plan to rent it out in addition to using it for family holidays. The apartment, an hour from Bodrum airport, cost them £35,000 and by the time it’s complete in 2007 it should already have increased dramatically in value as demand for Turkish property outstrips all expectations.

While golfing devotees will undoubtedly still flock to European golf property meccas in Spain and Portugal, a whole new tranche of fans of the game will be enticed by the excellent build quality and comparatively lower prices which Turkey affords.

The Lakeside Garden development 700 metres from the sea at Bodrum, will be a golfers’ paradise, too. Overlooking Tuzla Lake, the finished complex is close to Vita Park with its designated 18-hole and two nine-hole courses. Add to this a water sports centre, heated indoor pool, sauna, beauty centre, tennis and a children’s play area, and it will keep the family, happy, too.

Here, a detached 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom villa costs £136,345 with entry phone system, internet access and satellite system.

So serious is Turkey about developing its golfing credentials that the Turkish Golf Federation has persuaded universities in Turkey to introduce courses for golf professionals and greenkeeping/agronomy in order to support the burgeoning sport and the first candidates have already graduated.

Water supplies have been identified for maintenance, and developers willing to build the courses have already been found, so it seems that the Turkish golfing revolution has truly arrived. To book an inspection tour with Parador Properties, call 0800 083 2169 or visit www.paradorproperties.com.