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Carya Golf Club – Turkey’s #1

Carya Golf Club 18th Hole

Carya Golf Club – Turkey’s #1

Situated in the stunning Belek region on the Mediterranean coast sits Turkey’s #1 course, Carya Golf Club. In 2018, the course ranked 3rd in Europe’s Top 100 Golf Resorts and 29th in Europe’s Top 100 golf courses.

 

THE STORY BEHIND CARYA

The course was designed in 2008 by Thompson Perrett & Lobb, a golf architecture company founded by 5-time Open champion, Peter Thompson.

Thompson found the exceptional piece of land was reminiscent of the famous heathland courses in the UK. Therefore in the construction, 1 million heather plants were planted to strengthen the heathland environment. It has provided for a Berkshire golf experience with a Mediterranean twist.

The project’s success was immediate, with Carya Golf Club signing a 3-year deal with the European Challenge Tour in 2009. In 2016, Carya was promoted to the European Tour and has hosted the Turkish Airlines Open every year since.

It is the first heathland-style course to be built in the nation and the first lighted course in Europe, making it playable every hour of the day.

THE CARYA COURSE

Carya is set on undulating sand hills in the heart of Turkey’s golf coast with each hole presenting a variety of challenges to the golfer.

Unlike the other courses in the area, the fairways run across a sand ridge through stands of eucalyptus and pine forest. The greens are large, fast and consist of multiple plateaus that create greens within greens. The bunkers are dramatic and precisely shaped to create a rare and inspiring visual experience.

True to its heathland inspiration, tactical approaches are required to score well. For instance, finding the best side of the fairway to attack the green from is more important than distance from the tee.

 

THE SIGNATURE HOLE

The 16th hole is the course’s highlight for club and professional golfers. The longest par 4 on the course requires two strong shots to reach a green protected by 3 bunkers.

During the Turkish Airlines Open, the tee-box is temporarily moved on the roof of a villa behind the original tee-box demanding players to hit over a swimming pool.

 

DID YOU KNOW

The course is home to the longest hole in Turkey. Fittingly named “Long”, the par-5 6th runs for 621 yards, which converts to just over 562 metres

 

 

Related posts:

The Breathtaking Crete Golf Club

Cornelia Golf Club – Faldo’s Turkish Delight

Kemer Country Golf Club – Istanbul’s Golfing Gem

 

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