Antalya Golf Club, the home of the PGA Sultan Golf Course together with its luxury associated Kempinski and Sirene hotels, has joined The PGA’s branded resorts as The PGA National Turkey.
The PGA Sultan golf course has hosted many national PGA tournaments as well as the Eisenhower Trophy in 2012 and, in the same year, the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final, featuring Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.
Moving forward, The PGA will work with Antalya’s owners to maintain the course as a top-class venue and promote it to both its Members and golfers across the globe.
As part of a long-term programme of improvements, The PGA will provide advice and assistance regarding upgrading the golf academy facilities to add radar ball tracking, video analysis and custom club fitting facilities to the existing excellent quality driving range and associated short game area.
The associated five-star 150 room Kempinski hotel, as well as the 442 room Sirene, are complemented by six tennis courts, two football pitches and two spa centres.
The PGA Sultan and the Pasha golf courses offer a comprehensive fleet of Club Car golf carts, Titleist hire clubs and highly experienced PGA professional staff delivering a world class experience to golfers and non-golfers alike.
The PGA National Turkey joins the PGA’s family of other National level resorts including The Belfry in England, Gleneagles in Scotland, Zavidovo in Russia and at The Oaks in the Czech Republic. The PGA deliberately restricts The PGA National brand to only one resort per country, all of which offer some of the very best golf, leisure and accommodation possible.
The Association’s connection with Antalya Golf Club has been further strengthened by the recent appointment of PGA Fellow Professional David Clare as its director of golf.
Clare, who has worked in Turkey for more than two decades, commented: “It is an exciting opportunity to start work here at Antalya Golf Club under the new PGA National brand.
“Our aim is to improve the already high standards and service levels and develop the new PGA National Turkey Golf Academy, putting Antalya Golf Club at the forefront of Turkish golf. We also look forward to hosting major international PGA events and welcoming PGA Professionals from around the world to Antalya.”
The PGA’s chief executive, Robert Maxfield, added: “We are delighted the Kempinski and Sirene Hotels as well as the fantastic golf facilities at Antalya have strengthened the longstanding relationship with The PGA to become The PGA National Turkey.
“After considerable consideration, and noting the quality of one of Turkey’s elite venues, The PGA is proud to promote The PGA National Turkey alongside its other PGA National facilities in England, Scotland, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
“The PGA National Turkey further strengthens The PGA’s brand globally as well as providing employment opportunities for our Members, five of whom are currently working in Turkey.”
Yasin Akkanat, owner of the PGA National Turkey, said: “We have been working with The PGA for the last 10 years and have hosted many successful PGA events during this period.
“As our aim is to keep improving our facilities, it was a natural move to strengthen our relationship with The PGA. Becoming the PGA National Turkey shows our long-term commitment to promote golf in Turkey at the highest possible standards, and we look forward to working closely with The PGA and maintaining Antalya Golf Club as the leading golf resort in Turkey.
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