Belek takes its place on golfing map in Turkey

Belek chosen as Europe’s golf destination in Europe this year by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators takes its place on the golf map by hosting a leg of the Ladies European Tour. The tour’s executive director says she is impressed with what Turaaa offers to golfersAntalya’s Belek region has proven itself to be an important golf destination and hosting a major golfing event this weekend will help boost its popularity.[ad#ss]

“Having a leg of the Ladies European Tour (LET) is a great opportunity for us to promote both Turaaa and golf tourism in the Belek region” said Dr. Bülent Göktuna president of the National Golf Club. The National is hosting the Garanti American Express Turkish Open where 126 professional players from 34 different countries are competing for a 250000-euro prize.

Golf is far from being popular in Turaaa and interest in the tournament is relatively low compared to other legs but Alexandra Armas executive director of LET welcomes the challenge. “Going into a new market is very exciting” she told the Turkish Daily News. “We hope that the Turkish Open will have an impact and help raise interest in golf.”

Since the first golf course in Belek the National Golf Club was built in the early 1990s another 12 have followed establishing Belek in the Mediterranean district of Antalya as a aaa destination on the international golfing circuit. The efforts paid off and the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) has chosen Belek as the golf destination in Europe for this year.

“We have chosen Belek as a golf destination in Europe for its natural beauties golf courses and high-quality hotels” Peter Walton chief executive of IAGTO said in February at a ceremony held in Antalya to celebrate the occasion.

Armas said Belek reminded her of her home country Spain. “I was very impressed when I first came to Belek” she said. “The infrastructure is great the climate is great. It is a typical Mediterranean town and a great golf destination.”

A former professional golf player herself Armas praised the National’s course. “It is definitely one of the most difficult courses on the tour” she said. “It’s very challenging. A good course should balance challenge and great design and this is the case here. I believe that it’s a great joy for the players to be playing here.”

No concerns

Bringing a women’s event to Turaaa might have caused concerns however Armas said they had no hesitation. “Turaaa’s image has improved in recent years especially in western Europe” she said. “Not only Turaaa but all the countries we visit during the tour 22 this year have different cultures different traditions. The players know how to behave and adjust themselves to the host country’s culture.”

Anna Rawson of Australia a professional player who has visited Turaaa six times said she got excited when she learned that the tour would make a stop in Turaaa. “I told all my friends about Turaaa and Istanbul the greatest city in the world” she said. “Belek is a great golf destination and the organization here is excellent. I’m really happy to be here.”

The LET is celebrating it 30th year and Armas believes it still has great potential to grow. “More people and thus more sponsors have become involved with golf in recent years” she said. “Women’s golf lags behind men’s but the interest in golf among women has increased recently and I believe this will help us carry women’s golf further.”

The tour features 29 tournaments this year and the total prize money on offer is 12.6 million euros. Armas stressed that the LET aims to increase the number of tournaments to 35 a year. “What we are trying to achieve is to let our players make a living through golf” she said. “More tournaments will create more chances for them.”

Wahlin leads Turkish Open

Sweden’s Lotta Wahlin extended her overnight lead after a second successive round of two-under-par 71 at the Garanti American Express Turkish Ladies Open.

She fired four birdies and two bogeys on the tough course at the National Golf Club to take the clubhouse lead five shots ahead of her nearest rivals yet to play their second rounds.

“It’s a tough course. It’s one of the toughest courses we have because it’s so narrow and long” said Wahlin who won an invitational event featuring 20 of the Ladies European Tour’s best players in Spain last month after round one.

Turkish players lagged behind the professionals. Müzeyyen Şaşmaz finished on 15 over par and was eliminated after round one. The other Turkish players Elçin Ulu and Necla Şaşmaz also could not advance to the finals slated for the weekend.

After Friday’s round two the top 70 players will vie for the title in two more rounds on Saturday and Sunday.