Destination Golf Turkey 2015 2015 | Page 59

Antalya Cornelia was the first ‘signature’ golf course opened in Turkey. Most of the long holes (the par five 11th is a double dogleg of 562 It was designed by Nick Faldo and opened in 2006, instantly metres) are doglegs to some degree, so this is golf that will test making a mark on European and world golf. The addition of nine your mettle. further holes, opened in 2007, has turned Cornelia into a 27-hole extravaganza of the forest variety. The three spacious nines form three 18-hole combinations: The King, The Queen and The Prince. Whichever 18 you choose, you won’t be disappointed. This is enthralling golf from start to finish with an undulating landscape that enhances the course’s rhythm. www.corneliaresort.com Faldo has used the trees to stunning and often terrifying effect. As would be expected of a master technician, golfers are required to both shape and position the ball precisely, overcoming numerous obstacles to find the fairway and line up the green. Trees are the obvious threat, with tight drives at almost every turn. It may only be one or two solitary pines that encroach onto a fairway but their intent is clear, and farther back stands the supporting army, their bright bare trunks forming an impenetrable backdrop. Trees are not the only defence: water appears constantly and 75 bunkers dazzle on fairways or sit deep around greens. Destination Golf Turkey | Page 57