Going for Golf

Lighthouse

Ian Woosnam designed the course at the Lighthouse Golf Resort. Although work began in March 2006 and the course opened only in September 2008, it already feels well-established and an impressive on-site hotel is nearing completion. The construction of the eponymous lighthouse, however, has been delayed by the recession. Its imposing presence will certainly add to the appeal of an extremely attractive development that combines class with function.

Sitting comfortably on top of towering cliffs, the course enjoys panoramic sea views and has been created to broadly resemble a links. It’s an appropriate style that works well with the adjacent Black Sea and the inevitable breezes. With innumerable bumps and hollows, inviting fairways and striking white bunkers, the eminently walkable course benefits from clear definition and provides an exceptional challenge. Although the rough is not too punishing, the top quality greens are decidedly tricky with subtle slopes and bewildering borrows. Water occasionally comes into play and at least one of the five lakes poses a threat on the fourth, 10th and the closing stretch. The opening half-dozen holes spin you around before the seventh takes you to the precipitous cliff top for a wonderfully elevated sea view. The next runs along the edge and an unwelcome slice here will consign your ball to oblivion.

Off the championship tees, the course measures 6,747 uncompromising yards. The medal tees trims 700 off that while the regular tees save you just under 1,000 yards altogether. In theory, you can shave off another 500 by wimping your way to the forward tees but, having come so far, do you really want to chop off so much of a quality course? It has all the practice facilities, ingredients and undoubted potential to be a truly outstanding destination.