| | GOLF IN TURKEY  Golf is a sports activity enjoyed by 50 million people throughout the world. Currently there are 23,000 golf clubs in the USA and 4,000 in the UK. Every year, two million people travel through the world to play golf. There are 27,500 golf courses throughout the world.
The British Open, US Open, Masters and US Professional Golfers Association championships are regarded as the biggest golf tournaments of the world, and known under the name Grand Slam.
Every two years, the Ryder Cup is played between the team consisting of professional golf players throughout the Europe, and the American Professionals. The European Tour Challenge, which is one of the most important cups in Europe, was held at the Klassis Golf & Country Club for the first time in Turkey in 1997.
Turkey has a special significance as far as golf is concerned. With the influence of the tourism activities flourishing particularly in the 1980's, it was decided to support golf investments, within the 6th 5-Yearly Development Plan that was issued on May 22, 1989. The first golf courses were allocated to investors by the Ministry of Tourism in 1990. In 1995, the Klassis Golf & Country Club, which was the first golf course in Turkey, at international standards.
Today, 3 golf courses are being operated in Istanbul, 4 in Antalya Belek, and 1 in Ankara, 3 projects are at the stage of construction initiation, and 15 golf projects are at the planning stage.
Established Of Turkish Golf federation
Turkish Golf Federation is the first legal golf federation which has been established in Turkish Republic in history. The federation is a very new one; continues its activities for 10 years but despite its strong vision, its young, dynamic and hard working team it depicts its future targets very clearly. 
Although the federation is a new one, our connection with Golf as a sport is not so new. First in 1895 İstanbul citizens has met with golf by the establishment of İstanbul Golf Club which during that time had been named as "Constantinapole Golf Club". Since that day, golf has not been a commonly practiced sport in Turkey but it is still an old acquaintance for us.
Turkish Golf Federation which is active today, has been established in February 12, 1996 with the MDK/26 numbered decree of Turkish Youth and Sports Ministry and by Mr. Raif Bilir's personal efforts.
Turkish Golf Federation Offical Web Site
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