Going for Golf

You’re spoilt for choice in Turkey

Gloria

At the opposite end of the age spectrum – a phrase that is strictly relative given that Belek only came into being as a golf resort 17 years ago – is the Old Course at Gloria. Designed by the French architect Michel Gayon, Gloria quickly established its credentials as a very entertaining though searching test of skill when it hosted the Turkish Open on the European Seniors’ Tour in 1998 – less than a year after its official opening.

Carved out of a largely coniferous forest, Gloria Old wends its way through vistas flanked by innumerable pine trees and round seven extensive lakes. It requires both length and accuracy from the back (white) tees, but most visitors are presented with a more lenient challenge from the yellow, blue or red tees.

What you see is what you get on the Old Course – there are no hidden tricks or pitfalls. The line of attack on most shots is clear, but on many of the holes the view is spectacular and the task occasionally daunting, especially on the par-threes – the greens at the fourth, eighth and 13th are all surrounded by water. Other holes to look out for are the par-five seventh, which is protected all the way down the left by a lake, and the par-four 14th, which is threatened by a similarly elongated watery grave to the right. 

The New course, another Gayon design that opened nearly six years ago, is a heavily-bunkered parkland layout. Visually attractive and challenging to play, it has an undulating, tree-lined setting, is shaped by four large lakes and has 67 bunkers – four more than the Old. Gayon has taken full advantage of this varied terrain to create a fascinating test. Like the Old, it has five par-fives and five par-threes – unusual for a modern design. The short holes all take the breath away, especially the third, where the green is protected by an ornate rockery, and the 17th which is surrounded by water. None of the par-fives are overly long and they all provide obvious birdie chances although, by the same token, with so much water in play they are also glaring double-bogey possibilities.

In addition to its two 18-hole offerings, Gloria has the nine-hole Verde course which opened in 2001 and is popular with visiting executives and conference delegates who can’t spare the time for a full round. The Verde, designed along similar lines to the original 18 holes, can provide a perfectly respectable 18-hole challenge of its own (as each hole has two sets of tees) or it can combine effectively with either of the Old Course’s other nines. 

The fairways trail through the pines and there is one substantial water hazard which comes into play, most prominently on the par-four third, where the approach shot necessitates a 100-yard carry, and the short fourth which has little terra firma between tee and green.