Having only played on three different courses in my short golf career, I took some extra "ammo" along in the shape of Brian Young — a golfer of some 30 years with an eight handicap —for his personal and informed view.
Once past the security-guarded main entrance, we were met at the newly constructed maintenance building which is the kind of facility you would expect to see somewhere like Wentworth. Brian and I exchanged knowing looks; this was a "proper" set-up, we realized, and this would be reflected throughout, the whole project.
The ground equipment had just arrived from the US and five gleaming Toros mini-tractors were lined up in the courtyard. The maintenance building will also include accommodation for in-house staff.
Our guides then took us for a tour of the proposed course of the new Esentepe Golf and Country Club. It is a 21-hole route, three to be used for a training academy. A 30-bay driving range is currently under construction, measuring 295m by 100m. The total distance of the course from the championship tees is 6.6OO yards.
An hotel will be constructed on a 40,000 square foot area to the left of the course, with mountain views out over to the Karpaz. Currently at footing stages is the hub of the site: the clubhouse. It will include a 200-seater restaurant, with large terracing and views of the coast, and is cleverly positioned to view the first tee, the ninth and tile 18th greens for maximum entertainment.
On the subject, of views, the location of the Esentepe Golf and Country Club is simply stunning, with an uninterrupted view of Besparmak Mountain to the west, the mountain range to the east and to the north the coast.
My expert Brian was impressed. "Oh, this has been beautifully laid out," was his verdict.
"There is something here for everyone — gullies, the lake, lofted tees, sculptured greens . . . then the driving range and proper practice holes — it is everything I would expect, to see at a big club back in England.
"To design a full 18-hole course and lose virtually no trees is, in itself, amazing — I can't wait to get out and play it." | Mr. Van Amerongen has now completed the layout of the Esentepe Golf and Country Club, neatly transplanting 285 olive trees, and losing just five in the process. The trees and greens have been shaped and the forming of fairways is well under way so that the vast irrigation system can now go in. Grass seed can now go in — they have 12 tons of it on order and expect to begin laying in six weeks. There are four different types: one for the tees, two for the fairways and one for the greens — the same seed used in championship courses in southern Spain and the Algarve. Planting this autumn will give the grass a six-month winter period to settle in.
Contrary to rumour, water is not a problem. Mr. Cerkez explained: "We have use of the reservoir and because of the topography; we can gravity-feed water down the hill to our specially built cistern. Utilizing three pumping stations which are interlinked, we can easily cover the west, east and southern [side] of the course. However, we also have coming a 500 cubic metre desalination plant as a back-up which will give us 35 percent of our total yearly need."
Extensive work is now being carried out on the planned 7.500 square metres of pathways linking the holes. Thirty-seven golf carts will be available for those who don't want to walk.
Mr. Van Amerongen seems pleased with the way things are coming together on this, the 16th golf course he has designed, and he is very confident, of an April 2006 opening. His other courses have been built all over the world, from Switzerland to Dubai. He has an HNC in golf management gained in Scotland and, having worked for the well-known course designer David Thomas, this enthusiastic young man has built up a strong rapport with Mr. Cerkez.
With the 60-strong construction team hard at it day and night on the new Esentepe Golf and Country Clun, attention is now on recruitment of professional staff. The head green keeper from The Grail Golfing Society joins soon to oversee the seeding.
Talking of joining, we come to the fees and a rumour to dispel: nothing has been agreed or set. There may be special rates for residents, but again there may not — it's all down to budgets. Life membership is, naturally, being considered, Asked about fees, Mr. Cerkez smiled and said: "I don't know yet. What do you think?"
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