Ahmet Ağaoğlu, the President of the Turkish Golf Federation, believes the benefits of hosting the European Challenge Tour are manifold as the Turkish Airlines Challenge concluded after a hugely successful and exciting week at National Golf Club.
The event returned to the Challenge Tour schedule for the first time since 2010 this year and, with players regularly lauding the golf course, official hotel and organisation of the event, it has been a resounding success.
While the players have been taking advantage of the facilities and the magnificent weather, the tournament organisers have also recognised the many benefits the tournament has brought to the country, the area and Turkish golf.
“It means a lot to have the Challenge Tour here,” said Ağaoğlu. “We are establishing a new programme for our young players, for those who are just turned pro or planning and preparing to turn pro.
“They will have good chances to compete and show their capabilities on a bigger stage. It is the first time we have had so many players from so many different countries. It is very important for our amateur players and our rookie professionals. It is the first time they have ever had the chance to play in such a serious tournament.
“As well as that, having a Challenge Tour event is very important ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, to get point for the World Ranking, so we are supporting that with this tournament.
“Playing in the amateur events, even if you win the European Individual Amateur Championship, you will not get the same kind of World Golf Ranking points you can get from the Challenge Tour so that is why we are very keen on having the Challenge Tour here.
“Turkish Airlines are our main sponsor and the title sponsors of every professional golf tournament in Turkey, so they are supporting golf a lot.
“The course is great too. National Golf Club is the oldest club in this area and it is a very well-designed and tough golf course.”
National Golf Club has proven an incredibly popular host venue, but it is not the only top class course in the area, and Ağaoğlu thinks that having Belek under the Challenge Tour spotlight for the week will only strengthen its reputation as one of the world’s top golfing destinations.
“Last year, 160,000 tourists came to Turkey just to play golf,” he said. “It’s an industry in this area and people appreciate the courses and facilities here.
“There is no better value out there than Belek in terms of the compact nature of this area. We have 15 golf courses in a 15km coastline, you cannot find that anywhere in the world.
“It is 20-25 minutes’ drive from the airport, there is guaranteed sunshine and there are 52 five star holes in the area. Again, you will not find that anywhere in the world.
“The quality of the hotels and the service and the value, in comparison with many nations, is one of the best you will get so we think it will become one of the biggest golf destinations in the world.”
