THE FIVE-MILLION DOLLAR CLUBHOUSE THAT WAS BUILT IN JUST SIX MONTHS

INTRODUCING THE FIVE-STAR TURKISH DELIGHT OF
CORNELIA GOLF CLUB AND THE FALDO COURSE


The distinctive club logo and sign over the entrance
to the clubhouse.


Marble basement of the sumptuous Cornelia clubhouse,
where the changing rooms are to be found.


Looking back down the ninth hole of the Faldo Course
at Cornelia Golf Club.



Sideview of the Cornelia clubhouse from the third nine-
hole lay-out being built at the "Faldo Course."




Magnficient clubhouse Turkish-style. Front view of the
palatial Cornelia clubhouse.





Another view of the entrance to the Cornelia clubhouse.

SPREAD THE WORD: TURKEY IS NOT FOR CHRISTMAS,
IT'S FOR WINTER GOLF HOLIDAYS PAR EXCELLENCE
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
If you can remember what the Costa del Sol in Spain and Portugal's Algarve looked like in golfing terms 30 or 40 years ago, then you will have no problem in conjuring up a mental picture of the Antalya Region of Turkey.
This Turkish Riviera on the Mediterranean coastline is a golfing boom area in the making.
Six more golf courses - including one designed by Colin Montgomerie - are under construction, which means the number will be rise to 14 by 2010.
And that number will keep on mounting because the Antalaya Region is simply perfect as a golfing holiday destination, much like the Algarve with the mix of golf courses and sandy beaches, except that on the Turkish Riviera, all the hotels seem to back on to the Mediterranean.
If it's a traditional summer holiday basking in the sunshine, then southern Turkey is for you, although perhaps just a little too hot.
BETTER THAN A SCOTTISH SUMMER
But in the winter, the temperatures come down and are bearable ... still better than most Scottish summers ... and perfect for shirt-sleeve golf.
We were there from February 10 to 17 with an international band of media folk for the European Golf & Travel Media Association's Media Masters. It was cool first thing in the morning and again when darkness fell but in between it was just right for playing golf every day.
My wife and I had never been to Turkey previously. To be honest, we had never even considered Turkey for a holiday, golfing or otherwise. This proved to be an eye-opening visit. It's not Spain. It's not Portugal. It is Turkey and it is delightfully different.
Over the next few days, I am going to tell you about the four venues, we visited ... National Golf Club, Gloria Golf Club, Antalya Golf Club and Cornelia Golf Club ... and also the five-star hotels.
The one that made the biggest impression of me was the Cornelia Golf Club. I don't play the game these days but those who did tackle the 18-hole Faldo Course - opened only last November and there is another nine-hole lay-out just waiting to be brought into play - say that it was first-class, a little difficult perhaps for their standard, but, nevertheless, a course to be savoured.
AWE-INSPIRING CLUBHOUSE
From my point of view, it was the clubhouse that was simply awe-inspiring. I've seen some magnificent clubhouses over the years, but Cornelia Golf Club has to top the list.
Director of Golf Ali Sahin told me that it could five million US dollars to build and was opened within six months ... a work-rate that puts the construction industry to shame in this country.
If the Royal Family all followed Prince Andrew's example and played golf, then Cornelia Golf Club is the kind of "Buckingham Palace of clubhouses" they would want have for their private pleasure.
I cannot begin to convey to you, just how big and palatial it is although it covers an area of 4,800 square metres, which gives you some idea of the dimensions.
The "pro's shop" covers an area that any professional in this country would die for (if you know what I mean!). The changing rooms and toilets downstairs have marble walls and floors. There's an indoor restaurant that looks big enough to feed hundreds and there's even more space round the perimeter of the clubhouse for outdoor eating.
DON'T MISS CORNELIA GOLF CLUB
Log on to the Cornelia Golf Club website, www.corneliaresort.com, and you can see all the details, how much it costs to play the course which, as far as I could ascertain, is not "burdened" by the demands of members.
If you are going to go to the Antalya Region for next year's winter golf holiday, and I hope that by now I have got you even thinking about it, then don't miss Cornelia Golf Club, it's palatial marble clubhouse and its Faldo Course, which will have three nines by then.
+++++It goes almost without saying that the Cornelia Hotel, or Corneilia De Luxe Resort to give it its official title, owned by the same company as the golf club, is different class. It is one of the most modern-designed hotels I have been in and has 381 rooms, 90% of which have sea views. It has umpteen restaurants, eight bars, five swimming pools and so on. I'm not an authority on hotels but Cornelia Hotel struck me as being the complete "all-rounder" you might say in that it would be perfect for a family holiday, something to keep the kids amused from dawn to dusk and beyond, and also a great conference facility with a huge amphitheatre.