The Dalaman Golf Club, one of this year’s most anticipated golf course design projects, has officially launched – signally the dawn of a new era for golf in the region and Türkiye.
The region’s first golf venue, The Dalaman Golf Club welcomed golfers for the first time on August 30 for an exclusive Founding Preview Invitational tournament, bringing together the club’s new golf offering with the signature hospitality and service excellence associated with Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Golf, ahead of the course officially opening for play on September 1.
Chosen to coincide with Türkiye’s Victory Day, the exclusive Founding event offered prospective members and visitors the opportunity to not only play the new par-72 championship course but also enjoy the club’s wider amenities including a driving range featuring the latest Trackman technology, extensive short-game practice facilities and a striking new clubhouse.
Featuring a red-and-white colour palette inspired by the colours of the Turkish flag, the tournament was played in an individual Stableford format, with men wearing specially created white polo shirts and red caps, while ladies donned red polo shirts and white caps.
Callum Kenny, from Prenton GC in Merseyside, was the leading scorer on the day after taking first place in the Category A division with 39 points. Can Özede claimed top honours in Category B with 32 points while Maddison Merritt beat Deborah Garnett on countback to win first prize in the ladies’ competition with 31 points.
The Founding Preview Invitational marks the beginning of an exciting new journey for The Dalaman Golf Club. More than the inaugural tournament of a new golf course, the event represents an important first step in the development of a new golf culture in Dalaman and the surrounding region, while supporting the area’s emergence as an international golf tourism destination.
Designed by the International Design Group, The Dalaman Golf Club is situated just 20 minutes from Dalaman International Airport and has been created in one of the most ecologically rich areas in southwest Turkey on a site bordered by long beaches, diverse vegetation and lakes that serve as a stopover for migratory birds.
Measuring 6,152 metres from the back tees (6,728 yards) and built on natural sandy soil using the finest sustainable practices, the layout features sweeping uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean. Complementing the course is facilities including a 20-bay driving range – with ten bays featuring TrackMan Range technology – a putting green, a short-game area, a clubhouse, a restaurant and a halfway house.
Alongside The Dalaman Golf Club is the impressive Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Golf. Opened in 2009, the resort boasts an enviable location on the edge of the Dalaman River, where the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea meet, for guests to enjoy. Featuring a choice of luxury accommodation, the ultra-all-inclusive resort offers an outstanding array of sports and lifestyle facilities, a private beach and a wide selection of bars and restaurants showcasing a variety of local and international cuisines.
