Antalya Golf Club’s PGA Sultan course will play host to some of the world’s best amateur golfers in the biennial team championship 2012.
The PGA Sultan’s selection by the International Golf Federation sees it follow in the footsteps of some illustrious names including St Andrews’ Old Course, Royal Melbourne, Pinehurst and Royal Adelaide which have all hosted the Eisenhower Trophy since its inception in 1958.
Among the many great players to have competed in the Eisenhower Trophy are Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, Colin Montgomerie, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickleson.
Antalya club manager Ugur Budak is delighted with the decision, which saw them beat off competition from Italy and Austria, and will see the Sultan share matches with the Cornelia’s Faldo course.
Budak cited the PGA status as pivotal in its success in securing the event. “I believe the PGA brand was one of the key factors why so many people showed confidence in us,” he said.
“In golf, tradition is everything therefore hosting such an event with a whole tradition behind it is an amazing honour and big opportunity. Turkey and Antalya has done a lot during last few years to promote golf and improve the quality of its courses.
“This caps all these efforts and as the manager of the Antalya Golf Club I always believed that being a PGA branded course took us a couple of steps ahead of our competitors and put us in a unique position among many reputable and prestigious courses.
“The selection of the PGA Sultan course as host of the Eisenhower Trophy 2012 is proof of this. This event will not only cement Turkey and Antalya’s standing as important figures in the golf world it will also increase the importance of golf in Turkey.”
Antalya, which will host Europe’s largest pro-am, the PGA National Pro-Am Championship next month, is situated on the shores of the Turkish Mediterranean and the complex includes the Sirene Beach and Hotel Resort and Kempinski Hotel.
Robert Maxfield, PGA property and commercial director, said, “It’s fantastic news for Antalya Golf Club and we‘re delighted that one of our PGA branded courses has been recognised with being awarded such a prestigious tournament.”
The PGA Sultan is one of a growing number of PGA branded facilities that includes Gleneagles, The Belfry and Palmerstown House.
Overseas resorts carrying the PGA brand have also been established in India, Russia, Spain, and China with agreements also signed for Tunisia.
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