You have to go back to Turkey. And it’s not just me saying it, although I do, it’s what every single professional who plays the Turkish Airlines Open on the DP World Tour says, the tournament that took place in early May at the National Golf Club in Belek and which crowned for the first time Mikael Lindberg, a Swedish player on the rise, an extraordinary hitter, who is going to make a lot of headlines in the coming years
The most common phrase on arriving at the tournament sponsored by Turkish Airlines is: “What? Bet you like this. Bet you didn’t expect it to be like that. Bet you’ve just arrived and you’re already looking forward to coming back next year…” That’s how it is. The golfers themselves tell you that. In fact, it’s not just that they all return the following year — which after all is part of their job — they come back with their families. It’s one of those few tournaments circled in red in the calendar that the players’ wives and children attend. It’s a great event
Antalya, the peninsula where Belek is located, is all golf. You look to your left and you find golf. You look to your right and you find golf. It’s day and you can play golf. It’s night and you can play golf. You’re finishing your round on the 18th hole and five minutes away there’s the beach, with breathtaking views of the mountains that even now, as spring begins to give way to summer, are still snow-capped. The contrast is overwhelming and gives a kind of spiritual peace
We flew to the tournament with Turkish Airlines Open, which is without doubt a guarantee of enjoying the experience one hundred percent. The service is impeccable. Nothing is missing. We departed and arrived on time, with no surprises or shocks, quite the opposite of those other overloaded, chaotic airlines that test your patience every minute. The flight is very easy and comfortable via Istanbul. I recommend allowing a generous layover at Istanbul International Airport. You won’t regret it. The Turkish Airlines lounge is like a five-star hotel. You lose all sense of being in an airport
The approach to Belek from the air is impressive. The landscape is fantastic. Mountain, beach, sea and golf. It’s a perfect place for a golf holiday. There are up to 15 courses within less than 15 minutes of each other. One after another. It’s like stepping into a sweet shop. You want to try everything
We stayed at the Regnum Carya. Vast. It has everything. It feels like a shopping centre. A week isn’t enough to visit everything it offers, also supported by the fabulous Regnum The Crown. You can eat at a different themed restaurant every day and you’ll run out of days to try it all. You have to play a lot of golf to avoid coming back with a few extra kilos. The quality and variety of the cuisine is amazing. Everything is available and within reach. And no, that’s not an expression. As soon as you check in at the hotel, a personal assistant from the hotel contacts you via WhatsApp. They are available 24 hours a day for whatever you need. The aim is that you lack nothing and worry about nothing. They achieve it
The Turkish Airlines Open has become one of the DP World Tour‘s favourite stops for players, staff and fans. It doesn’t take long to understand why. The distance between the hotel and the golf courses never exceeds 15 minutes, with shuttles running constantly. The facilities are first-class, and the food in the National Golf Club clubhouse is exceptional. You can choose from barbecue, sushi, pasta, Mediterranean dishes, Turkish delights, all kinds of salads, breads for every taste, endless desserts, and the people are incredibly friendly
You have to go back to Turkey. Without a doubt. Belek is the ideal place for a golf getaway with friends or family. You can play 36 holes a day without breaking a sweat. Day and night, with the Regnum Carya course fully lit. They have packages that include everything. Your only worry will be lowering your handicap to win the meal you’ve bet on. I’ve already booked the date for next year
