The government of Cyprus is standing by its long-term commitment to make major improvements to the infrastructure of Cyprus. Golf courses have taken pride of place in the overall strategy to turn Aphrodite’s isle from one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations for European holidaymakers into a vacation paradise for visitors from around the globe. Golf is still a relatively new sport here. However, a small number of excellent courses are operating and more are planned, both to meet growing on-island demand and the requirements of quality tourism.

Anyone asking about Cyprus golf courses will most likely be pointed towards one of the four venues currently in existence. Plans for more courses are already underway – a reflection of not just the growing popularity of golf as sport but Cyprus as a growing destination of choice on the international playing circuit.

Existing Cyprus golf courses such as the Secret Valley Golf and Country Club, Tsada and Aphrodite Hills in the Paphos region have already stimulated a great deal of attention amongst foreign property buyers who have recognised the convenience and investment potential of owning apartments and villas within easy striking distance of the courses – and Paphos International Airport is only a short drive away.

Whilst homes in the vicinity of these two courses are certainly in high demand, the majority of golf aficionados looking for a golf property in Cyprus are casting their eyes firmly towards the forthcoming venues across the island. One of the new courses, which will finally take golf in Cyprus beyond the Paphos region, is the Larnaca Golf and Country Club at the village of Tersefanou. Planned and backed by the PGA, this stunning championship standard course is set to become the jewel in the crown of the many infrastructure improvements being made in the Larnaca region, including the major expansion of Larnaca International Airport. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the course will boast a five-star hotel and spa facilities with luxury villas and apartments on and around the course.

New developments are an increasingly common feature of the landscape around Tersefanou and the vicinity of the planned golf course. This has affected other villages in the locality such as Kiti, Mazatos and Pervolia, which are all seeing an increase in the building of villas and apartments to accommodate the expected influx of golfers and holiday makers to this part of Cyprus.

Apart from glorious sunshine for most of the year, a key advantage of Cyprus as a golfing destination are the excellent air links it enjoys with the rest of the European Union – and the Middle East – and international connections to the rest of the world. This makes a golfing holiday at any time of the year more than a flight of fancy. Both Paphos and Larnaca International Airports are just over four hours away from London and various regional airports in the UK.
Given the sport’s worldwide popularity and continuing growth, there is absolutely no doubt that it will continue to develop and thrive in Cyprus to the benefit not only of golfers but of the Cyprus economy as a whole. This is reflected by the formal establishment in 2000 of the Cyprus Golf Federation (website www.cgf.org.cy ).

The CGF is the official governing body for golf in Cyprus and is registered with the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA) and the Cyprus Olympic Committee (KOE). The CGF has a mission to play its part in this process and provides current information about golf in Cyprus. The organisation is a member of the International Golf Federation (IGF), the European Golf Association (EGA) and is associated with the R & A.

In association with established Mediterranean golfing destinations such as Spain and Portugal, the CGF has joined 31 other countries in promoting the sport in Europe. It has been active in organising local golf tournaments and matches with British golf societies – and the PGA has been to Cyprus to inspect the golf courses.
The Cyprus government has taken positive measures to support the promotion of golf as an economic driver of the economy in various parts of the country.

In addition to the Strategy for Golf Course Development, the Tourism Strategy Plan to 2010 views golf courses as a means of generating increased tourism income – and taking into account factors such as the use of land, water and environmental concerns the Strategy suggests that, including existing courses, Cyprus will see the development of four to five international standard 18-hole courses in the Paphos district – and one each in Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and the free area of Famagusta. So, within a few years there should be a total of nine golf courses on the island
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) promotes the country in all major travel markets and golf fairs (Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, and Britain) and organises familiarisation visits for golf journalists and tour operators.

If the experience of players ‘teeing off’ at the existing courses in Cyprus is anything to go by, the island will soon be an even more familiar destination for those on golfing holidays. Of course, the added bonus for people choosing to buy their own villa or apartment – and either live here permanently or on extended stays – is that they can indulge their passion for golf and bask in the Mediterranean sun with the sure knowledge that they are spoilt for choice about which world class course to visit whenever they want to at any time of the year!