By Rahul Banerji
Turkey is blessed with great natural beauty, especially the western and central parts of its extended east-west axis.
From ancient Istanbul that straddles the Bosporus Strait spreading between Asia and Europe to the rest of Asia Minor, with the Black Sea on one side and the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas on the other, Turkey spans not just culture and history, but geography as well.
An important part of this large nation is Antalya or Anatolia as it is/was also called, especially the southern fringe that lies on the Mediterranean. It is here that most of the nation’s golf industry is coming up and a large number of quality courses and resorts have been developed.
Among them is the first 18-hole natural golf course on the Bodrum peninsula, the Regnum Golf & Country Club Bodrum which claims to be setting benchmarks for its environment friendliness and as a new model project for Turkey.
Natural flow at Bodrum
In Çamlik, not far from the most picturesque bays of the region, a valley has been developed over 1.450 hectares without interrupting the natural flow of the landscape. After the golf club was opened in June last year, stone villas, a large organic vegetable garden, a holistic spa area, numerous sporting opportunities and many more amenities are also coming up.
The establishment, part of the Regnum Hotels in Belek, is only 25 kilometres from Bodrum airport, 17 km from Bodrum city and six km from Güvercinlik Bay.
According to information circulated by IAGTO, no tree had to be cut down needlessly; and the stock of an existing olive grove was enhanced to 20.000 trees.
The original terrain was preserved to create a place that recalls the “old” Bodrum, the “paradise of the eternal blue” as Homer called it – free of concrete and chemicals, quiet and natural in the midst of dark green and sky blue.
Championship course, forest panorama
The new par-71 golf course of Regnum Golf & Country Club Bodrum according to USGA-standard (United States Golf Association) was constructed over an approximate 650.000 square metres as an inland course.
It is hilly and its fairways amidst pine trees, valleys and five lakes, are spacious. The olive grove is located on the golf course, which is managed by the Regnum hotel group with to make and market the house-made extra-virgin olive oil.
Across the golf course, 32 pot bunkers provide for a challenging game while a driving range and chip-put area stands nearby. A golf set hire service, golf training classes and a pro-shop with well-known brands are also on offer.
The course was designed by Tim Lobb of London together with developer Fikret Öztürk, their second collaboration after the Carya Golf Club in Belek, which also belongs to Regnum. The course in Bodrum is the fourth installation built for Lobb from Naki Evandr and Cengizhan Bölükbaşi of GolfTek.
Sports to organic wellness
The integrated approach at Bodrum is complemented by a large sports portfolio besides golf. Recreational activities such as archery, tennis, swimming, basketball and more give visitors ample choice. Afterwards, guests can can avail of a wide range of amenities and treatments with organic products in the holistic spa area.
Idyllic location
The Bodrum is located in the idyllic Çamlik village. Whether in the shade of pine trees or at the beach of one of the most beautiful bays of the region only six kilometers away – at Güvercinlik – life has its own pace. For culture and shopping the old city and harbour of Bodrum is at hand. Further attractive beach regions such as Torba or Göltürkbükü in the north of the peninsula are also very close.
The Bodrum is part of the Regnum Hotels that operate a prestigious 5-star resort with two top quality golf courses in Belek near Antalya: the Carya Golf Club and the National Golf Club.
Also read: Golf industry in Turkey set for further boost with Hestourex 2019
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