Although Cyprus may not be a place that immediately springs to mind when thinking of golfing destinations in the Mediterranean, a little enquiry shows that there is an impressive choice to be had for the enthusiast prepared to break away from the more traditional tourist trails of Paphos, Agia Napa or the Troodos Mountains. Not that these places don’t have a lot to offer – far from it. There is a wealth of history, leisure and exploration to excite the curious spirit. But for golfers, knowing that their passion can be pursued in the glorious sunshine and tranquillity of an idyllic Cyprus setting is a prize worth seeking out.

The Paphos area in the west of the country plays host to three well known golf courses – at Aphrodite Hills, Tsada and Secret Valley Golf Course. There are plans for others courses on the island, including Tersefano which is close to Larnaca International Airport, between Paralimni and Agia Napa and more in the Limassol region. For those who are looking for something ‘midway’ and closer to Limassol, they don’t have to wait – there is already a club that provides a friendly welcome for the golfing enthusiast and their family.

Vikla Golf and Country Club is the only golf course in the Limassol area. It was founded in 1992 by Robin Houry near the village of Vikla and is only 20kms drive from the main Limassol tourist / residential area – pick up can be arranged. With its spectacular mountain views, its welcoming and informal atmosphere makes it an ideal place to play golf or simply relax! The club boasts an 18 whole golf course with a par of 68 from the championship tees.

This is a great course for experienced golfers and beginners alike. No handicap certificate is required and tee-off times can be booked. The two par fives and six par threes offer a realistic challenge. Gross par is only ever broken once or twice a year, if that!

If value for money is important to you, give the club a call and check out their current rates for playing and hiring equipment – they claim to be about 75% cheaper than other courses on the island. The club is committed to making the golfing experience as enjoyable as possible. For some, the most convenient – and best time to play in the hot Cyprus climate – may be towards the end of the day. So, whilst other courses close promptly at 5:30pm, Vikla remains open until the sun sets.
The facilities at Vikla are designed to be ‘family friendly’ – providing the true golfing enthusiast with some good reasons to visit the course whilst catering for non-golfers in the family with drinks and bar snacks at the Club House or dipping into the swimming pool with its outside terrace overlooking the course during summer months. Clubs and trolleys are available for hire from the PROSHOP, where there is also an excellent selection of golfing equipment for sale.
The accent is very much on friendly informality – so there is no course dress code and the practice ground helps you on the way to perfecting your game!

For further information, check out the Vikla Golf Club website:
www.vikla-golf.com – or send an e-mail to: viklagolf@cytanet.com.cy
Telephone: 00357 99674218

There is a 20:20 knockout competition, and an early season six a side competition. Touring teams come from England in early and late summer to extend their own season and have a holiday in the sun!

Happy Valley is the main cricket venue in Cyprus, consisting of two pitches both concrete with artificial turf – with full sized outfields with sightscreens. This is WSBA’s ‘home’ ground and the venue for all touring team games. It is easily reached by following Limassol-Paphos motorway to the Episkopi Garrison.

Potamia is the only pitch near Nicosia. Two football pitches side by side make up a full sized outfield with a plastic flicx pitch placed between the two. This is used mostly for matches involving Nicosia teams.

Aynic is the home ground for the military team ESBA on a high and breezy location right next to the border between Southern and Northern Cyprus, overlooking the town of Famagusta in the north. Play is on a concrete pitch with an artificial grass surface with a full size outfield.

Elias Beach is the Country Club associated with Elias Beach hotel on the Limassol sea front. A charming location set up in the hills, it is however a little small for cricket and is only used occasionally and has a flicx pitch laid over grass.

Oroklini is the only cricket venue in Larnaca. Situated just outside Larnaca, off the Dekelia road, it is a complex of four football pitches.

To learn more about current events and latest news on this most English of sporting activities visit website www.cypruscricket.com.

Kolossi Castle is a fine example of military architecture originally constructed in the 13th century and subsequently rebuilt in its present form in the middle of the 15th century. It served first as the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar and, after the fall of Acre in 1291, for some years as the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

Kolossi and its castle are directly connected with several key events in the tempestuous history of Cyprus. In 1191 Richard the Lionheart of England conquered Cyprus after it had been ruled by Isaac Commenus. Isaac Comnenus was the Byzantine Governor of Cyprus who declared himself an independent ruler of Cyprus and would not assist Richard and the Crusaders.

Elsewhere on the island St.Hilarion, Buffavento and Kantara Castles were captured by Richard the Lionheart. The Castle of Kyrenia was captured by Guy de Lusignan who imprisoned the wife and daughter of Isaac who had sent them there believing they would be safe. Kolossi Castle belonged first to the Order of the Templars and then to the Order of St. John.
Opinions differ about the building of the castle. According to one point of view the castle was build in 1210 A.D. when Kolossi was given by King Hugh I to the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The ruins of the original castle still exist on the East, North and North-East side of the existing building.

According to another opinion the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem built the castle in 1454 A.D. The difference in these two opinions is that while they both agree that the present castle was built in 1454, the first supports the notion that this was built on the ruins of an older castle; the alternative view seems to ignore the existence of an older, pre-existing castle at the same place.

The castle today looks magnificent with its really impressive square shape. It was – and remains – very well built on the lines of a tower, similar to others seen across Europe. The castle’s military architecture offered sanctuary and security to the area. It was strong enough to resist any attacks and certainly as strong as the Kyrenia Castle, making it considered to be impregnable.

Each of its four sides are 16m long on the outside and 13.5m on the inside. The height of the castle is 21m. During the hundreds of years since the building of Kolossi Castle, the original investment in its solid and durable construction has protected this fortress from the ravages of time and the many earthquakes that occur naturally in the area.