Speaking on the world Amateur Golf Championship to be held in Turkey in 2012, Turkish Golf Federation President Ahmet Ağaoğlu said investments in the event will soon bear fruit and bring at least 1 million tourists to Belek for golf in the five years following the championship.

Noting that golf is more an industry than a popular sport in the world, he said: "According to 2005 statistics, golf contributed $80 billion directly and $196 billion directly to the US industry and accounts for 1.64 percent of the US economy. In other words, the golf industry represents about 2 percent of a giant economy." Ağaoğlu indicated that this also applies to the Mediterranean countries, where Spain earns 6 billion euros and Portugal about 3 billion euros annually from golf tourism.
1 million tourists in Belek

Noting that Belek, a town in Antalya province known as a popular golf destination, was named the best golf center in Europe with its 14 golf courses in 2008, Ağaoğlu said the championship is considerably important in this respect. He said that over the last one year they had successfully promoted golfing in Turkey and Belek in 136 countries. In the competition for hosting the championship, Italy was a real contender with 200 golf courses and more than 200,000 licensed golfers. "In one year alone we conducted a very strong campaign and promoted Turkey's candidature in many countries, explaining Belek's importance for golf. As a result of this campaign, we secured the support of 76 of 92 delegates. There was no need to hold a second round of voting. Our rivals, Italy and Austria, collectively had 26 votes. Thus, Turkey secured threefold the sum of votes cast for these two countries. Had we missed the opportunity for 2012, we would have had to wait until 2024 since the competition is held on one continent every two years," he said.

Ağaoğlu explained that they expect about 3,500 people, including 200 golfers, to attend the championship. These people will spend $30 to 50 million in Belek, he estimated, adding that one golfer would promote the facilities to at least 10 other golfers. He further predicted that about 1 million tourists may come to Belek for golf during the five years following the championship. "This championship is a considerably prestigious event, and it will also ensure that Belek reaps the benefits of its investment in golf," he said. Ağaoğlu indicated that the 1 million golfers expected to come to Belek may spend about $500 million annually, a figure that will increase with every year.

The federation president further explained that Turkey's candidature had been approved with the existing facilities, so no new facility will be constructed for the championship. He noted that this does not mean no new golf courses will be constructed in Belek; rather the Culture and Tourism Ministry has plans for building new golf-related facilities near Antalya. He stressed that if the number of golf courses reaches 30 or 35, Antalya will become the best golf center not only in Europe, but in the world. "Antalya will no longer be known only for its sea, sand and sun; it will also be known for its golf. And this will lead to considerably improved prestige and perceptions of Antalya and the country," he said.

Last contest before going professional

Ağaoğlu noted that the World Amateur Golf Championship is regarded as the Olympics of golf and serves as the last obstacle before becoming a professional golfer. "Today, almost every professional golfer you can think of -- Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson - all competed in this championship before going professional," he said. He stated that the golfers who will compete in Belek in 2012 will soon emerge as distinguished golfers. "The US has about 24 million golfers. Three players selected among them will come to Belek. This means that we will watch them in professional competitions in the days to come, and it is for this reason that this championship is very important," he said.

Ağaoğlu said Turkey playing host to the championship had created much interest in the world sport media and that in order to further boost interest, they might invite some professional golfers to officially start the competition or hold a press conference. He noted that when he assumed office seven years ago, the number of golfers aged below 18 was 15, but today this number has increased to 4,500. "It is my hope that this figure will increase tenfold by 2012. Turkey will become a country with 50,000 young golfers," he said.

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