Belek, one of Antalya’s most popular holiday centres, has become not only a brand name in Turkey, but one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world thanks to its unsurpassed natural beauty and perfect climate. Located 30 kilometers from Antalya, Belek has a seventeen-kilometer coastline lined with numerous five star hotels. Since the early 1990s, Belek has offered its guests the most comfortable holiday opportunities in the Mediterranean. Among the features that make Belek such an attractive location in the region is its ease of access and the ancient cities situated nearby. The region hosted numerous civilisations throughout its thousands of years of history, and with its fertile lands has been a centre of attention in every period. Though Belek has a typical Mediterranean climate, the freshwater streams which flow from the Taurus Mountains give it different characteristics than other Mediterranean locations. Thanks to its large sand dunes, its beaches are sheltered from the harsh effects of the sea and wind. With all these features in place, Belek offers a magnificent atmosphere, not only as a tourism centre, but as an area that contains all the distinctive Mediterranean characteristics.

BelekFor many years now, Belek has been one of the foremost holidaydestinations for sports tourism in our country. It owes its preeminentposition in this regard to its climate, geographical location andundeniably to its committed implementation of sustainable tourismpolicies.Belek and its hotels are highly popular with sports clubs and offer thebest fascilities 365 days a year. Belek has also become an indispensabledestination for golf tourism in Europe. Belek’s superb climate isconducive to playing golf almost twelve months of the year.

Belek has golf clubs of world standard, luxurious accommodationfacilities and one of the best golfing infrastructures, which makes thearea so attractive to golf enthusiasts. Belek has ten golf clubs and fifteengolf courses offering high-quality, professional service to Turkish sportstourism. Belek is also one of the biggest sources of income in this field.In 2012, a decision of the Council of Ministers decreed that particularnew tourism hubs would focus exclusively on golf. These include thedistricts of Emişbeleni, Mahmutlar, Kargıcak, Okurcalar and Türkler in theregion of Alanya, 50 kilometers from Belek. With this decision thevolume of golf tourism in the region will significantly increase andAntalya will continue as an indispensable location for the sport of golf.Belek has around 50 five star hotels and holiday villages, 10 golf clubs, 15golf courses, 50 football fields and more than 200 tennis courts thatserve professional and amateur athletes.

Flora and Fauna of BelekInspite of covering a relatively limited area, the natural diversityof Belek’s flora and fauna is quiet varied. The forests in the regionare situated on sand dunes and form the most extensivevegetation. The dense Mediterranean stone pine forests areknown to be local to the area. Under the dense pine forests areMediterranean shrubs, and a thick cover of maquis runs towardsthe beach. These forests are highly rich in the variety of flowersand fauna they possess. Belek’s natural habitat diversity is basedon the wealth of its flowers. 58 families, 118 species, and16subspecies of flowers have been classified. The most abundantflower species are found in the coastal dune vegetation (27families, 51 species) and in stone pine forests (31 families, 51species). In 1995, 40 unclassified plant species were identified.The classification of 48 exotic species from 28 botanical familieswas also made. While there are around 12,000 plant speciesfound throughout Europe, this figure is around 10,000 in Turkeyalone. Among the 600 endemic plant species that are found inthe Mediterranean region, 500 are found in and around Antalya.There are more than 118 plant species in Belek and more than 40are endemic to the area.

Belek and Natural HabitatSince Belek had a dense population throughout the years, thenumber of species that live there is limited to those animals thatcould adapt to human habitation and small areas. Close to 200species of vertebrates are known to inhabit this region. Amongthese species are 38 mammals, 88 birds, 31 reptiles and 5amphibians. In the coastal areas of Belek, animal species such asfoxes, weasels, squirrels and hedgehogs are often seen. Belek isone of the best areas for bird watching and many bird species usethis area as their wintering or nesting location. In addition, rarereptiles such as chameleons, sea turtles, land turtles, andfreshwater turtles live undisturbed in these natural habitats. TheWorld Wildlife Foundation has always emphasised theimportance of the coast of Belek to the preservation of thethreatened loggerhead sea turtle (caretta caretta).

TITANIC (ex TAT) Golf ClubTitanic Golf Belek boasts 27 holes, made up of three loops of nine gives thecourse the opportunity to satisfy the requirements of the most demandinggolfers.18 holes of parkland and 9 holes of links means that the golfer willbe faced with every kind of golfing challenge from lakes and rivers to treesand dunes on holes that have been left as natural as possible to enhancethe feeling.This was indeed a landscape perfectly in harmony with theneeds of a golf course that was designed by Hawtree Ltd golf CourseArchitects of England. Training area: driving range: 27 holes, 2 pitchbunker, 3 putting greens.A golfers dream vacation, which has been specifically designed for the avidand demanding european golfer.

The 27-hole National Golf Club was opened in 1994 and

established on an area spanning 920 acres covered with pine andeucalyptus trees. It is the first golf club in Turkey that was built according tothe standards of the EPGA (European Professional Golfers’ Association)enabling the hosting of international golf tournaments. The National GolfClub was chosen as the 42nd best golf club out of 1500 golf clubs in theMediterranean in the year 2000. In 2001, it rose to 39th place amongEuropean clubs. In 2002 it was named as the 16th best golf club in theworld by Golf Magazine journal. In the ranking of the world’s top 100 golfcourses in 2003 made by Germany’s Golf Journal it came in at number 4.The National Golf Club was designed by David Feherty and David Jones insuch a way as to preserve the natural scenery of the area. It was built bythe American “Aquaturf” company in accordance with their designprovisions. There is an 18hole Championship course, 9-hole new Academycourse, 40 bay driving range, 2 putting greens, bunker and chippingpractice area.

Antalya Golf Club was designed by the world renowned architects of

the European Golf Design company. The courses prove both enjoyable andchallenging for golf enthusiasts. The design consultant was professional golfplayer, David Jones.

Pasha (18 Holes)The golf course of Pasha was opened in 2002 and is spread over an area of550,000 m2. Pasha, with 5731 metres par 72, has a combination ofdifferent challenges that test all players with low and high handicaps alike.Situated within pine trees resembling tall beach umbrellas and lakes, Pashaoffers the ultimate enjoyment in golf.

PGA Sultan (18 Holes)The PGA Sultan course was built over an area of 775,000 m2 in the year2003. With 71 par and 6477 meters it is one of the most popular coursesamong golfers. European Golf Design and David Jones worked together onthe planning of this course, which is in perfect harmony with the forestedlandscape. The PGA Sultan has a high degree of difficulty and was designedfor the confident golfer.

Kaya Palazzo Golf Club is a themed course that was designed by

the internationally renowned designer David Jones within a forested area of650,000 m2. It opened its doors on 17 November, 2007. The Kaya PalazzoGolf Club provides the opportunity for professional golfing with its 18-hole,71 par and 5877 meter golf course. It offers a unique experience for Turkishand international golf enthusiasts. Kaya Palazzo Golf Club has joined forceswith one of Europe’s most prestigious golf clubs, the Eagles Charity GolfClub. The club has one river pond along the course and four fixed water-levelled ponds. It has a distinguished place among the golf clubs in theregion and includes fairways surrounded by lakes and trees, 56 bunkers,greens of approx. 600 m2, and white, yellow, and red tees covering approx.150 m2.

Carya Golf Club was designed by Thomson Perrett & Lobb Golf

Course Architects, founded by five time British Open Champion, PeterThomson. It is the first golf course on Turkey’s Mediterranean shores to bebuilt according to the classic Heatland style. The 18hole, par 726,571meter course is among the premiere Championship golf courses in theregion. The Carya Golf Club runs between pine and eucalyptus trees andchallenging sand ridges, offering golfers a demanding yet enjoyable golfexperience. Beside the courses there is also a Golf Academy. Theexceptional Carya shrubs add a special attractiveness to the courses andare grown in Carya Golf Club’s own nursery garden.

Sueno Golf Club

The Golf Complex in Belek, covering almost 150 hectares of area, locatednext to Antalya, only 30 minutes to airport, with two extraordinarycourses with 36 pits addressing to golf lovers from any level. Anunmatched wide and well-maintained golf field which has been created inaccordance with the texture of nature by International Design Group.

PINES / 18 holesArea: 18 holes, 72 par, 6413 m, Scottish Parkland design. Bunkers: natural obstacle design, totally 128.Driving Range: 50 Grass Tees, 40 considered Tee Boxes, Totally 300 m. Putting Green: 3500 m²Chipping & Pitching Greens: 1000 m²

DUNES / 18 holesArea: 18 holes, 69 par, 5643 m, Scottish Parkland design. Bunkers: natural obstacle design, Total 128.Driving Range: 50 Grass Tees, 40 considered Tee Boxes, Totally 300 m. Putting Green: 3500 m². Chipping & Pitching Greens: 1000 m²

Cornelia Golf ClubCornelia Diamond Nick Faldo Golf Course is built on a 14,000,000 m2 areathat includes pine forests and sand ridges, offering a fantastic gamingexperience. It is situated in a natural environment with lakes scatteredthroughout the course. The three 9-hole courses that connect to each

other are the 72 par and 6,373 m King Course, 72 par and 6,411 m

Queen Course, 72 par and 6,324 m Prince Course. These were all

designed by the renowned six-time Major winner Nick Faldo. In 2008, theCornelia Diamond Nick Faldo Golf course was chosen as Europe’s 14thbest course and was selected among the 50 best golf courses in the worldby Newsweek Magazine.

Montgomerie MaxxRoyal Golf Course was designed by

Colin Montgomerie, one of the most accomplished players the sport ofgolf has seen, on a 104 hectare property covered with pine forests andsand ridges, and which also carries his name. The Montgomerie MaxxRoyal Golf Course was opened on 1 October 2008 and is challenging andgently sloping with numerous of strategic options. The natural sandyground was taken into account when designing and laying out the course,and these features were maximally utilised. The 18-hole course 72 parcourse is 6486 meters, the tees are approximately 600 m2 per hole andthe average per green is approximately 600 m2. The Montgomerie MaxxRoyal course has 8 lakes on its grounds and its close location to the seaprovides turkish and foreign golfers a welcome change from other golfcourses.

Gloria Golf Club was opened in 1997, but in 2005, after the opening

of the 18-hole Gloria New Championship course, it moved to its newlocation and building. The Gloria Golf Club, with its 18-hole Gloria OldChampionship course, 18-hole Gloria New Championship course, and 9-hole Gloria Verde course, is situated between the 45 hole championshipcourses. Just adjacent to the club building, on a west-south line there is a48 bay 2 tier driving range approximately 26,000 m2 in area. There are 5pitching and chipping greens next to the club building, and a putting greenof more than 800 m2. In the Gloria Golf Club the handicap for both men

and women is 36. Gloria Old Course (18 Holes) Gloria NewCourse (18 Holes) Gloria Verde Course (9 Holes)

World famous British golf player David Thomas has created the

Robinson Golf Club Nobilis, set within a natural pine forest, and

covering 750 acres. The Championship tee is 5103 meters. The fairways arewide and many rough-terrain areas have been left. The grass used at thegolf course is suitable for colder climates and with the undulating anddiverse greens it differs from other courses. The average green size is 600m2. It has one of the best playing surfaces among championship golfcourses. This 18-hole par 72 championship course offers golf players anenjoyable experience with its stunning views, especially the lakes on thegrounds of the golf course and the Acısu River that flows to its east. Theclub has the floodlighted practice area, which allows golfers to play in theevening. It was chosen as the ninth best golf course in Europe by GolfersMagazine in 2000 and the world’s seventh best golf course by Golf Journalin March 2003.

LykiaLinks Golf Course Antalya was designed by the award-

winning American golf architect Perry O. Dye. The course is located on an80 hectare area that is both challenging and rewarding for golfers. The golfcourse was planned to make best use of the natural setting and groundadvantage. Its location by the sea and the ability to play golf facing thewaves and the mountains earned it a place in the “World’s 100 Best GolfCourses” list of the British Golf World magazine in 2012. The 18-hole courseis in excess of 6950 meters and plays to a par of 72. Each course has 5black, yellow, blue, red and green tees, natural dye-style bunkers, andchallenging and undulating fairways that incorporate many strategicoptions which require Scottish style “punch and run” shots. In fact, thecourse was inspired by famous Scottish golf courses.