Going for Golf

Bulgaria’s Black Sea beauties

Lighthouse

More than five million tourists managed to find it in 2007 making it the 39th most popular destination in the world. More than 300,000 Brits visited it that year. The excellent climate, stunning scenery and relative inexpensiveness made it an attractive proposition for Brits seeking a second home in the sun and so Bulgaria emerged from comparative obscurity to briefly become the place to buy overseas property. Developments sprang up before the recession brought the building boom to a grinding halt. Apparently the market is stirring again and golf is involved because developers appreciate the appeal of property adjoining a course.

Although not traditionally part of the Bulgarian sporting tradition, golf is growing in popularity. The number of courses emerging along the Black Sea coast in the unspoilt north-east of the country is significant and this part of the world is destined to become a truly outstanding golf destination.

Three courses have sprung up recently in close proximity along the rugged seaside cliffs just an hour’s drive from Varna airport. Collectively they comprise an almost irresistible attraction. Two are up and running, the third will open this July. All have been conceived along broadly similar lines: with property for those seeking a holiday home and quality hotels that will appeal to tourists. And the trio are co-operating to woo well-heeled foreign golfers.

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.