Destination Golf Turkey 2015 2015 | Page 69

Antalya National Golf Club National Golf Club is the oldest course on the Turkish Riviera. Opened in 1995, it was designed by David Feherty and David Jones and is both elegant and difficult, with pine trees remaining close companions for the entire round. It may only be 20 years old, but it feels much older, with a calm rhythm and peacefulness that comes from the density of trees and the meandering, rolling fairways. This is a course that demands careful shot-making. From the tee, many fairways are tight and curve just enough to put a premium on placement. It is not especially long (from the white tees) so your driver isn’t always the answer, and the angle of fairways and the constant screen of trees makes it hard to gauge your landing area. And when there aren’t trees, there are lakes and streams encroaching on eight holes. Greens are big and receptive but with their substantial slopes your landing areas are tight. It makes for a mentally challenging and stimulating round of golf. Play well here and you can be rightly proud. The new nine holes, opening in September 2015, will be similar in style although the trees offer more room. www.nationalturkey.com Destination Golf Turkey | Page 67