GOLF ESCAPES

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BULGARIA’s pIoneeR Thracian Cliffs Directly overlooking the Black Sea coastline, this is one of Europe’s most spectacular destinations. The legendary hotelier Conrad Hilton once said that three things were needed for a great business: location, location and location. As a renowned course designer as well as a highly successful entrepreneur in his own right, Gary Player no doubt will have been reminded of that famous quote when he arrived at Cape Kaliakra and first laid eyes upon the 4.5km stretch of pristine Black Sea coastline he had been asked to turn into one of Europe’s premier courses. “When I saw the land, I knew I had a once-in-alifetime opportunity to create something really special,” Player says. “I felt I could build a course many people would say was the best they had played in their lives.” What Player probably didn’t realise at the time was that he not only had the opportunity to create a course with outstanding aesthetic appeal, his design could potentially put a whole country on the golfing map. It’s easy to forget that every established golf destination has one or two signature courses that, in its early days, captured the imagination of the public and paved the way for further investment in the region. Back in the ’80s, San Lorenzo, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura spearheaded growth in the Algarve, Sotogrande Old and San Roque were the catalysts for large-scale development on Spain’s Costa del Sol, while Le Touquet and Hardelot convinced us that there was more to France than Paris, vineyards and chateaux. Although it is still too early to predict just how big a player Bulgaria will become in the golf travel market in the years to come, Thracian Cliffs is beginning to attract the attention of golfers and, just as importantly, the industry. In 2012, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators named Bulgaria its ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination’ then two years later voted Thracian Cliffs ‘The Best Golf Resort in Europe’. In addition, the resort was named Bulgaria’s ‘Best Golf Hotel’ at the inaugural World Golf Awards in 2014. Those accolades, combined with the high-profile staging of the 2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship have prompted a 50 per cent year-on-year increase in bookings from the UK alone. The quality of the resort and the other attractions of the Cape aside, there’s no doubt the jewel in the crown is Thracian Cliffs’ course. Player has used his vast experience and every architectural trick in the book – including sharp elevation changes, dramatic bunkering, split fairways and huge, undulating greens – to make Thracian an unforgettable experience. At the end of the day, though, the course is all about the vistas, with every single hole offering a sea view. Built into a thin strip of land directly on the edge of the cliffs, the opening holes play directly alongside the Black Sea while the back nine moves upwards and inland, offering more elevated 62 GOLF ESCAPES 2015
Short Haul: Bulgaria Of the course at Thracian Clifs The varied attractions of the resort. ANCIENT TRADITIONS In Greek mythology, the Thracians were an ancient Balkan civilisation that embraced beauty, luxury adornments, passion and war. Those traditions have been retained at the resort, where you can enjoy five-star service as you relax at the on-site Bijou spa, wade in the warm waters of Bendida beach or enjoy first-class cuisine at the four coastal-view restaurants. but distant views of the coastline as it works its way back to the clubhouse. Player has compared Thracian’s dramatic cliff-top location with that of Pebble Beach in California – a statement that understandably has prompted its fair share of raised eyebrows. While there undoubtedly are similarities, the main difference is that with Pebble you are invigorated by the sound and energy of the Pacific Ocean crashing in against the rocks below, whereas the relative serenity and tranquillity of the Black Sea is altogether more relaxing and enchanting. In true Player style, many of the holes at Thracian Cliffs are more dramatic and visually intimidating from the tee than they actually play. The 379-yard par-4 7th hole is a perfect example. Playing from an island tee accessed by a narrow jetty, you have to successfully negotiate a carry of around 160 yards over the Black Sea before hitting a mid to short iron to a relatively narrow elevated green. Two visually dramatic but not excessively difficult shots will leave you putting for a birdie. There’s no getting away from the fact, however, that Thracian is a very strategic test of golf. With plenty of water, steep drop-offs and claggy rough to catch errant drives or poorly-struck approaches, the GettinG there Wizzair flies into Varna (45-minute transfer) or Bourgas (two hours) from Luton airport. Direct flights are approximately 3.5 hours long. Alternatively, starting in April, Turkish Airlines will be ofering a Heathrow flight to Varna with a one-hour layover in Istanbul. Visit www.wizzair.com or www. turkishairlines.com Expect the spectacular at Thracian Cliffs. course places a huge premium on accuracy and quality ball-striking. Some golfers have accused Thracian of being a little quirky and ‘tricked up’ in places but mild eccentricity is a huge part of the course’s appeal. Overall, accomplished golfers will enjoy the stern shot-making challenge presented by Thracian, while higher handicappers will quickly realise that their enjoyment is more likely to be stimulated by the gorgeous sea views than the numbers written on their scorecard. BlackSeaRama is just a 10-minute drive along the coastline. This 7,312-yard course, also designed by Player, presents a very fair test and although it only opened in 2008, it looks and plays with a great deal more maturity. While the entire back-nine surpasses the opening loop, the closing holes are particularly strong, culminating in a great par 3 over water. Finally, Ian Woosnam’s Lighthouse is a typical resort course and ideal warm-up to the more challenging demands of BlackSeaRama and Thracian. Built on a spectacular plateau it has lots of sea views, especially from the premier coastal holes on the back nine. n More details: www.thraciancliffs.com ThE RESTAuRANTS Enjoying a cliftop terrace location, Geti serves classic Bulgarian and Provence food in comfortable surroundings. The menu focus is on local and seasonal ingredients and seafood, combined with a choice of local and imported wines. Bendida Beach Restaurant provides Mediterranean ambience, combined with breathtaking scenery, while the Argata Beach Restaurant is located on a private stretch of beach. ThE VIllAgES The resort comprises two distinctly diferent villages. The Marina Village, comprising 64 deluxe suites, enjoys a cliftop location adjacent to the clubhouse and pro shop. Each one, two and three-bedroom suite features twin or queen-size beds, a spacious living area, WiFi, a kitchenette and balcony. The Hillside Village, behind the 18th tee, features three infinity pools and sun terraces. ThE SpA The spa covers 460m 2 of tranquility areas, massage, facial and manicure treatment rooms, as well as speciality rooms for wet treatments and a range of luxurious treatments inspired by the ancient Thracians. The spa’s facilities include a Hammam, hot steam room, ice corner, Jacuzzi, cold shock showers, relaxing indoor area, fitness area and a private sun deck. GOLF ESCAPES 2015 63
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GOLF ESCAPES 2015-2016 IDEAS AND IN
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LONG HAUL The Abaco Club This risin
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Page 14 and 15: RefReshingly Relaxed Dumfries & Gal
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