Colin Montgomerie recently made a site visit to his latest design project in Turkey. Working alongside European Golf Design, the 18 hole Montgomerie Course at Papillon Golf Club, in the Belek region of Turkey, near Antalya is due for completion towards the end of this year.
Montgomerie attended a press conference on his first day in Turkey where he addressed the Turkish media on his plans for the course, his design strategies and hopes for Papillon Golf Club in the future. Hosting the Press Conference was the president of Papillon Hotels Mustafa Nazik who expressed his delight at Montgomerie’s involvement in Papillon Golf Club. “This will be Montgomerie’s first time in Turkey. We are much honoured that a legendary name is bringing his design experience and personality to our portfolio.”
Also attending the Press Conference was Ahmet Agaoglu, the president of the Turkish Golf Federation who hopes that in the not too distant future a European Tour event can be held at The Montgomerie Course, Papillon Golf Club.
Montgomerie’s second day was spent walking the course and looking at nine of the holes that have already been shaped. Set within 104 hectares of mixed pine forest and ridges the feel of the natural sandy ground has been maintained to develop the particular characteristics of the golf course.
Apart from the golf course, a nine hole short course will be constructed as well as practice facilities to include a driving range, putting green and short game. Alongside the golf course will sit the 600 room Beluna Hotel as well as 30 luxurious villas. The cost of the project is expected to be over $100 million.
Commenting on his fist visit to Turkey, Montgomerie said, “I am delighted to be working in Turkey especially with Papillon Hotels, and hope that the work we are doing here will further enhance the Belek region as a top golfing destination.”
This will be the third course European Golf Design has designed in Turkey. In 2002 European Golf Design was responsible for the design of The Sultan Course and The Pasha Course at the nearby Antalya Golf Club. Turkey is a growing destination for golf following the Turkish Ministry of Tourism designating the Belek region of Antalya as an area for golf course construction due to its outstanding beauty.
European Golf Design www.egd.com