Five-star golfing on the five-star island of Cyprus
If you're heading to the Mediterranean for a spot of golf, forget booking a hotel in Portugal or Spain - try Cyprus instead.
By Dominic Picksley
For years, Portugal and Spain have enjoyed something of a monopoly on the finest golfing destinations in the Mediterranean, but they may be about to face quite a challenge from Cyprus.
When it comes to golf, Cyprus is the new kid on the block - it only boasts three courses, but there are ambitious plans for another 14 in the next few years to turn the island into another golfer's paradise.
If the impressive courses at Aphrodite Hills, Secret Valley and Minthis Hills are anything to go by, Cyprus is well on its way to becoming a utopia for golfers of all abilities.
I teed off my experience at the opulent surroundings of the Aphrodite Hills Resort, a fabulous five-star development in a plateau overlooking Petra tou Romiou, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
This five-star resort oozes elegance, with many of its 290 rooms and suites fit for a king, but it also boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Cabell Robinson, Europe's leading course architect.
It's spectacular, but for 150 euros a round, you expect something special! Built on a mountain, it is separated by a dramatic ravine, so buggies are essential to complete the course in a day.
The drive from second green to third tee is about a kilometre in itself, but this is nothing compared to the perilous, rollercoaster-style descent to the seventh.
You drive your cart down narrow twists and turns, daring not to take your eyes off the road ahead, to reach a glorious tee shot over a 160 metre gorge towards a luscious green surrounded by olive and carob trees.
The next hole is again impressive, with the massive eighth green seeming to teeter on the edge of the Mediterranean. Every hole is an event in itself, and is a fantastic experience.
Aphrodite Hills has plenty for golf widows and families too: It also features a first-class tennis academy, a beach club, and a multi-purpose sports court for children with anything from volleyball to mini-football.
The surrounding region of Paphos is steeped in local history and culture too: Taste the local vintage at a nearby winery and wine museum, or try your handiwork at workshops which turn out traditional Cypriot clay pots.
Completing our rounds in near darkness, we headed back to base, the five-star Columbia Beach Resort in the picturesque coastal village of Pissouri, for a traditional Cypriot meze, a constant supply of small dishes of meat and fish, including delicious barbecued octopus, all cooked to perfection.
Smaller than Aphrodite Hills resort, the Columbia is equally luxurious.
With elegant suites around the main pool, a stone's throw from the sea, this hotel is rightly regarded as one of the best in the region. After a day's golf, what better way to relax than in the hotel's spa, with highly-trained therapists on hand to massage aches and strains away?
Next up was Secret Valley Golf Club, a short drive from Aphrodite Hills, and a course within a colourful, picturesque valley. An 'easier' proposition than the previous day, but hardly one to be taken lightly.
The course has a stunning new clubhouse, redeveloped in 2006, and manager Stelios Patsalides summed up the course perfectly: "The views of the surroundings combined with the design efforts create a unique and memorable golfing experience."
Quite right. Although less glamorous, Secret Valley still had an air of grandeur, in the setting of a natural amphitheatre with the hills looming up to create a bowl.
It felt the most 'British' of the three - and the rain we encountered made us feel decidedly British too.
While we got drenched by a heavy downpour - rare in these parts, but welcome for the rain-starved country - this was Cyprus, so we were soon dry and the round completed in bright sunshine.
We then moved up the road to Paphos, a city festooned in history and an archaeology lover's delight, whether it be the immaculately preserved mosaics at the House of Dionysus near the popular harbour, or the World Heritage site of the Tombs of the Kings.
Our home for the next couple of nights was the impressive Almyra Hotel, the first-ever hotel built in Paphos in 1972. Originally the Paphos Beach Hotel, it was re-named Almyra after a huge renovation in 2003.
A very modern-feeling complex, the hotel offers the ultimate in 'resort chic' and our Aethon Sea View rooms resembled mini-villas with a balcony overlooking the sea. We lived like kings for two days.
One of the main selling points of the Almyra is the Almyra Spa, which promises "to create a holistic approach through health, beauty and fitness".
With luxury treatments ranging from Fragrant Flower Rituals to Mountain Herb Retreats, the Spa provides a pampering to ease any painful memories of poor shots on the fairways.
Our final golfing destination was Minthis Hills near the village of Tsada, just 15km north-east of Paphos, another venue of breathtaking beauty.
Built in 1994 by Donald Steel, the course underwent massive renovation before reopening in June 2007. A new clubhouse is under construction.
The club's temporary base, a ramshackle-style building, might lack the 'wow factor', but the course has that in spades. Afterwards, the clubhouse restaurant served a cracking mixed grill.
At an altitude of 550 metres above sea level and with meandering hills all around, Minthis provides a stunning vista of the Cypriot countryside and offers a really challenging 18 holes.
Stand-out hole is the 14th right on the edge of the course, where the tee has been cut out of the side of a hill, with a drive over a valley of out-of-bounds shrubbery and olive trees, with ominous perils awaiting those brave enough to have a blast at the hole perched above the valley, some 250 metres away.
Just enjoying the beautiful Cypriot sunshine and countryside was a delight in itself, but to do it while playing a round was pure heaven.
If you're seeking a new challenge, Cyprus is definitely the place to take your clubs too. And make it snappy before the secret's out about a new golfing paradise.
Key facts
:: Best for: Year-round sun and three fine courses.
:: Time to go: Spring and early autumn - it's not too hot and island is in bloom.
:: Don't miss: Tombs of Kings, Paphos, a World Heritage site.
:: Need to know: They drive on the left in Cyprus, so driving is no problem.
:: Don't forget: To go native for traditional Cypriot meze.
Travel facts
Dominic was a guest of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and flew Cyprus Airways which offers return flights ex-London, Manchester and Birmingham. Reservations: 020 8359 1333 and www.cyprusair.com.
Operators to Aphrodite Hills Resort include Olympic Holidays, which offers seven-nights' half-board from 900 with return flights ex-Gatwick June 2, incl transfers.
On same day, a similar deal, also at 900, is available ex-Manchester, and same offer of free upgrade to half-board accom applies ex-Birmingham from June 16 from 929. Regional deps, at supp, also available from East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Bristol and Bournemouth.
Olympic Holidays reservations: 0844 576 2386 and www.OlympicHolidays.com.
Further resort information: www.aphroditehills.com.
Destination enquiries: Cyprus Tourism Organization (020 7569 8800 and www.visitcyprus.com).
Columbia Beach Resort Pissouri (www.columbia-hotels.com) operates free shuttle bus to the golf courses. Junior garden view suites start at 195 euros per night.
Almyra Hotel (www.almyra.com) has garden view rooms from 160 euros per room per night.
Details of Secret Valley and Minthis Hills courses available on www.cyprusgolf.com.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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