The terrific history, cultural diversity and climate of Turkey makes it extremely desirable, but in the past decade, the focus of development on Belek has made the Mediterranean coastline near Antalya a golf holiday destination of international repute. At the heart of Belek’s success is the sheer quality of its golf courses.

The golf courses designed by famous names including David Feherty, Colin Montgomerie and Sir Nick Faldo have given Turkey serious international golfing credibility and Faldo’s effort at the Cornelia Golf Club – attached to the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa – is one of the finest of the lot.

Umbrella Pines are a key feature on many of Turkey’s golf courses and define Faldo’s creation at Cornelia Golf Club

The Cornelia Faldo Course, connected to the resort by a golf shuttle, is Faldo’s first in Turkey and the 27 spectacular holes on offer to visiting golfers have garnered considerable praise in their relatively short existence. Faldo was quick to praise the patch of land he was presented with referring to it as an “exceptional piece of land” on which to build a golf course.

Three nine hole loops, the Tiberius, Sempronia and Gaius, make up the 27 holes at Cornelia and not matter which combination you choose you will be guaranteed golf of the highest order. Perfectly manicured fairways have been routed through the towering umbrella pine-clad and naturally sandy soiled area of Belek which is simply perfect for golf. In addition to the ever present pines, which make the course one of the most picturesque in Turkey, golfers must negotiate intelligently positioned bunkers, sweeping undulations and run off areas around the greens as well as the occasional water hazard if they are to post a good score.

There are few golf courses as picturesque as Cornelia’s Faldo Course

Each loop of nine presents the golfer with its own unique set of challenges and while signature holes are hard to define thanks to the overall quality, there are a few that really get your golfing juices flowing!

The par 5 2^nd on the Tiberius nine, aptly named ‘Corridor’, is a fine hole that requires not only power but accuracy and finesse. The fairway winds its way through a corridor of trees, doglegging twice from left to right requiring well placed and carefully thought out shots. Golfing strategists in particular will enjoy this hole. While playing the Sempronia nine look out for the 13^th. ‘Deception’, as it is called, is a charming yet challenging dog leg where, following a well struck drive, players will have to contend with a tricky approach to a small green heavily protected by bunkers. The Gaius nine is the youngest of the three and perhaps the best but whatever way you look at it your golfing experience at Cornelia will no doubt be a great one!

A Standard Room at the 5* Cornelia Resort Hotel

If the idea of a world class golf course is enough to get you thinking of embarking on a golf holiday to Turkey then the promise of outstanding 5* accommodation at the Cornelia Diamond Resort will only sweeten the deal!

Astounding luxury and unrivalled facilities are the hallmarks of the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort and Spa, which is without doubt among the finest choices for golfers visiting Belek. This deluxe resort hotel boasts a total of 575 standard bedrooms, as well as a huge range of suites and family rooms meaning, no matter how many golfers you are travelling with, there are suitable accommodation options for all. At the base level, accommodations still feature ample in-room facilities including air-conditioning, safe deposit box, satellite flat screen television, direct dial telephone, internet access and a mini-bar, underlining that the Cornelia Diamond Resort ensures that you will have a truly memorable golf break experience.

If the idea of a short walk to the beach doesn’t appeal you can simply roll out of bed and into the fantastic swimming pool!

In addition to the luxurious accommodations at the resort, guests of the Cornelia Diamond can enjoy top class cuisine from one of 8 a la carte restaurants, relaxing drinks in multiple bars and, perhaps best of all, the enormous Crassula Spa Centre. Here guests can enjoy therapeutic treatments and world class facilities including any number of indulgent beauty treatments, Turkish baths, massages and Russian steam baths. There are few better ways to recover from a long day on the fairways of one of Turkey’s finest golf courses!

Thanks to a comprehensive array of leisure facilities your time spent away from the golf course can be as fun-filled or relaxing as you wish. Those with energy to burn can enjoy impressive sports facilities including racket sports courts, a fully equipped fitness centre and other facilities including basket ball courts and football pitches. Others may want to take a load off and simply expend as little energy as possible! The spa allows such relaxation and there is always an idyllic sandy beach just a stone’s throw from the hotel. This is also a great place to enjoy water sports including wind surfing, jet skiing and, for those with a truly adventurous side, parasailing!

Bar Moulen Rose is one of many vibrant watering holes at the Cornelia Diamond Resort.

With endless entertainments on site your evenings are sure to be fun-filled. Scatter some pins at the bowling alley, let off some steam on the dance floor of the disco or relax and enjoy entertainments at a variety of night time shows; the options are endless.

Not matter your tastes the Cornelia Diamond Resort is simply one of the finest destinations for a golf holiday in the sun.

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