The Turkish Airlines Open Golf Tournament, in which world-renowned golfers such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer and Victor Dubuisson have competed in previous years, is going to take place at the Carya Golf Club, the golf club of Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort between 2 to 5 November, 2017.
Geylan Dursunoğlu, general manager of Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort, says, “It took a lot of hard work and organisation last year to ensure the success of the Turkish Airlines Open Golf Tournament, which is considered to be one of the leading tournaments in Europe. Marking a first for us as the hosts of the 2016 edition, we welcomed 78 world-class golfers to the Carya Golf course. Over the course of the four days, fans from around the world flocked to the resort to be a part of this thrilling event. Drawing on last year’s experience and our innovative vision for this year, we are very excited to be hosting the 2017 edition of the tournament.”
Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort, a luxury all-inclusive resort in the popular southern Turkish Region of Antalya, is spread across an impressive 1,000,000 sq m, set along the Mediterranean coastline, combining the rousing blue sea with the lush green of the surrounding pine forests and golf courses.
The Championship Golf Course at Carya Golf Club was designed by Thomson Perrett & Lobb Golf Course Architects, which was founded by five-time British Open winner Peter Thompson. Named one of the best 100 golf clubs in the world by several reputable golf publications, Carya Golf Club is among only a few golf clubs in Turkey that can host 18-hole international tournaments. Players are also able to tee up at night time under the floodlights in Turkey’s first fully floodlit golf club.
Guests can experience a change of scenery at the resort’s other world-class course, the National Golf Club, whose 27-hole Championship Course offers something special for all skill levels. For those just starting out, there is a professional team of highly trained PGA pros who will look after your swing. Following a lesson or a game of golf, you can take advantage of the 40 bay Driving Range, 2 chipping and putting greens as well as practice bunkers.
The Antalya region is known as the golfing hub in Turkey as it is home to over half of all the Turkish golf courses. One of the Turkish Golf Federation’s main focuses is to promote golf tourism and look after the affiliated club members of the 20 or so Turkish golf courses. Turkey’s golfing coast, Belek, has become a world-class destination due to its magnificent golf courses, five-star all-inclusive accommodation and over 300 days of sunshine every year.
The country’s golf tourism board had a highly ambitious plan in 2009 to introduce ‘100 new golf courses in four years’ was not achieved due to the onset of the Global Financial Crisis. The Turkish Golf Federation was founded in 1996 and worked hard to establish Turkey within the national and international arena, having hosted a number of international golf tournaments.
The Turkish Airlines Open is a part of the European Tour golf tournament, which has been played annually in Turkey since 2013. The first three tournaments were held at Montgomerie Maxx Royal. The tournament moved to Regnum Carya Golf & Spa in 2016 and is the host for this years’ event from November 2 to 5, 2017.