Going for Golf

Thracian Cliffs - A truly spectacular cliffhanger

Thracian Cliffs

But Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort is not one of them. Take my word for it, Bulgaria’s newest course is truly spectacular as it stretches 4.5km along rugged coastline just a stone’s throw from the Black Sea.

Its designer, Gary Player, is not a man given to hyperbole and when the veteran South African describes it as a site unlike any other he’s seen during his long career in the game, you tend to sit up and take note. Player officially opened the course in June and has been quoted as saying: “I’ve been playing golf for 56 years and have never seen a site like this anywhere in the world. It is truly incredible.”

Having had the chance to experience it myself, I can wholeheartedly agree, although, I have to confess to a fair degree of trepidation ahead of my first visit to this part of Eastern Europe.

Prior to boarding the plane, my knowledge of Bulgaria was limited and I was none the wiser upon arrival in Varna, having been whisked off into the night for the 50-minute journey to Thracian Cliffs by a taxi driver who didn’t speak a word of English, but showed a particular liking for West Indian singing temptress Rihanna by pumping up the volume when she was heard on the radio.

I needn’t have worried, though, as concerns I had were quickly dispelled by the warm welcome that was on offer at Bulgaria’s seventh and newest golfing venue. Having been built at a cost of around £100m over the last six years, no expense has been spared in constructing the resort with the aim of attracting golfers from all across Europe to one of the most incredible golf settings anywhere on the continent.

And having opened within close distance of two other top-class courses, BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse, there is every chance that this part of Bulgaria on the Cape Kaliakra coast can become a new golfing Mecca for the UK golfer. Guests at Thracian Cliffs can stay in comfortable one, two or three-bedroom apartments while plans are already in place for a new five-star hotel, marina and further accommodation to be built in the next four years.

A luxurious spa and two private beaches are available for those seeking to relax in style while the resort offers excellent and affordable food and drink – and it’s even cheaper if you visit the nearest town at Balchik (a meal for six people including beer and wine came to around £40).

The real star of the show, though, is the golf course. Designed over 164 hectares of wild, scenic terrain, the 18-hole Signature Course is one of the most dramatic you are ever likely to play and is simply breathtaking in places, with each hole offering views of the Black Sea. Construction work started back in 2005 but various problems prevented it from being completed until this year. But the delay was well worth the wait and, with money not a problem – 30 per cent of the site was cut by hand – Player must have had a lot of fun in planning the course.

It’s certainly a lot of fun to play as you are presented with a number of different challenges, but, if you’re looking to shoot a career-best score, Thracian Cliffs is not the place to do it. While the course is stunning to look at, it is very severe on any shot hit off target, so go armed with plenty of balls.

The 211m par-three sixth hole has the potential to become one of the most recognised short holes anywhere in Europe as you play from a cliff-top tee to a green 40m below, but the Black Sea waits for any shots pushed right, while many of the holes boast 200-yard plus carries if you choose to play from some of the back tees. To ensure all levels of golfer can enjoy the experience, Player has provided a mixture of five tees on each hole while there is also wide abundance of wildlife to marvel at on your way round. But with the course in such a remote location, this can bring its problems and, with snakes particularly common in the area, hunting for balls in the wild areas that frame the fairways is not recommended. As well as providing a potentially serious health hazard, this could also inflict major damage on your wallet with anyone caught killing a snake facing a fine of around £4,000 under Bulgarian law.

In order for any resort to succeed as a golfing destination, it usually needs other courses within close proximity and Thracian Cliffs has them with BlackSeaRama and the more forgiving Lighthouse both no more than 10km away.

Sadly, my flying trip was over all-too-soon. Some voyages into the unknown are memorable for all the wrong reasons but this definitely wasn’t one of them and Bulgaria is a golfing adventure I would highly recommend.