Faldo Design, Nick Faldo’s burgeoning golf course design company, has announced that it has been appointed to undertake the design of a 27 hole championship golf complex in Belek in southern Turkey. The six-time Major winner’s first design project in south eastern Europe will form the centrepiece of the new Cornelia Golf Resort which is being developed by Cornelia De Luxe Resort, based in Belek – Antalya.
Faldo is delighted with the assignment and already has very clear intentions for the new golf course. “This is an exceptional piece of land,” he said. “My company, Faldo Design, is fortunate to have created courses in some truly special places around the world, and this wonderfully natural, pine-clad, sandy site is among the finest we have seen. A broad dune ridge runs right through the centre of the property and we will utilise this feature on a majority of the holes; each of the nines will include several spectacularly elevated tees and greens and the bunkering style that I have in mind will be unique to this part of Europe. Constructed in a manner that is extremely sensitive to the existing landscape, the course will be strategically very strong and, because of this, will be very ‘playable’. Golfers of every standard will find it enjoyable, inspiring and full of interest.”
Ibrahim Pektas, member of the board of Conelia De Luxe Resort commented, “This is an extremely significant event – not just for us but for the history of Turkish golf. Nick Faldo is one of the most successful golfers of all-time – his 3 Masters and 3 Open Championship victories bear testimony to this, as does his peerless record in the Ryder Cup. This summer at St Andrews he proved that he is still a wonderful player and a marvellous ambassador for the sport. Nick is meticulous in everything he does – he never settles for ‘second best’ – and this pursuit of excellence appeals, and I believe reflects, our own aspirations for the Cornelia Golf Resort. “
Preliminary design work is already underway and Nick Faldo is due to visit Belek at the end of September to finalise the routing plan for all 27 holes. Construction is scheduled to start towards the end of this year and the owners aim to open the facility in late 2006. In addition to the 27 holes of ‘Faldo championship golf’ and a state-of-the art practice and game improvement facility, the Cornelia Golf Resort will feature its own premium tier hotel and a number of associated luxury golf villas.
Nick Faldo www.nickfaldo.com
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