Golf is often viewed as an elite pastime of aristocrats and millionaires, but as a legend says golf owes its origin to pastors who liked to hit round stones into holes using sticks. Its first mentioning is dated to 1457 and motherland of the classic golf is a small Scotland city Saint Andrews. Later golf spread all around the world and appeared in Turkey by the end of the 1800s.

The first golf-club in the country was opened in Istanbul in 1895. In the first part of the 20th century golf clubs appeared in Ankara and Izmir. The first golf field in Turkey was designed and constructed in Istanbul in the Maslak district, afterwards it was carried over and now it’s situated in Harp Academies. The first Caddy competition was held in this field on July 22, 1977.

Up to day all the active development of the golf-industry in Turkey is going under the patronage of the country government and it is one of the most prospective tendencies in the tourist business.
Currently Turkey already has five professional golf grounds, one of them is situated near Istanbul near the health resort Klassis (first professional golf field in Turkey, founded in 1994), other four in Belek and Antalya. There you can find golf-fields which Turkey can be proud of: National Golf Club, Gloria Golf, Nobilis Golf Club and Tat Golf Belek.

Golf fields of Belek were designed by world famous golf designers and meet all the international standards for carrying tournaments of all kinds and championships of different levels. They are perfect both for professionals and beginners. For the latter specially equipped grounds are offered as well as individual and team lessons under the guidance of experienced instructors. For both all necessary for the game is provided, like buggies, niblick sets, specialized shops where you can buy clothes, shoes and lots of items for golfing. Caddies are at player’s disposal.

All tiny details for a good lounge are foreseen in the golf clubs territory, such as restaurants with Turkish and international cuisines, cozy cafeterias and bars, grounds and lodges for rest. Picturesque pine and eucalypt boskets, majestic mountain Taurus and small lakes, it all adds a special charm.

Golf in Turkey is an incomparable pleasure, here you can not only perfect your game skills but also have a good rest in any season of the year. In the breaks between games you can swim in the purest waters of the Mediterranean Sea, have sun baths on the Belek sand beach, go in for your favorite sports, try Turkish dishes and take a spa course in Thalasso-centers. Luxury hotels and superbly equipped golf grounds of Belek are waiting for you!

In June 2007 one of the best Antalya hotels - Cornelia De Luxe Resort is planning to open a new Cornelia Golf Resort in Belek. Total square of the hotel will be of 1.460.000 mІ (!), the main territory will be occupied by a golf field for 27 holes.

The opening will be celebrated in November 2006. The resort itself was created by a world famous designer Nick Faldo. Faldo design was 6 times nominated for the main prize for the best golf field design, this is one of the most reputable companies in golf industry, and is appreciated for the world class high quality of fields.