The beautiful island of Cyprus is fast becoming a golfer’s paradise. Here on the island the ideal Mediterranean climate makes golf a game that you can enjoy all the year round. The island has three international standard 18-hole golf courses all set in tranquil surroundings away from the busy tourist resorts. All of the courses are located in the Paphos area on landscaped hills that are easily accessed from the surrounding areas.
Aphrodite Hills Golf Course
The Aphrodite Hills development estate includes the award winning 18-hole championship standard Aphrodite Hills Golf Course, a luxury five star hotel, luxury villas and apartments, a village square with restaurants and shops, a tennis academy and a spa. Located near the legendary birthplace of the Greek mythological goddess of love, the golf course is built on two plateaux which are separated by a deep ravine. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, an acclaimed course architect, the course offers amazing views over the Mediterranean, challenging pot bunkers, beautifully manicured fairways of lush Bermuda grass ad tiered greens. The 7th hole is the course’s signature par 3 hole which plays steeply down across a canyon onto a large green which is nestled in an olive grove. The course also has a double ended 350 metre practice range, four target greens with bunkers, short game practice facilities, three residential professional golf instructors and three academy holes. The clubhouse has a bar and a restaurant with terraces overlooking the green.
Elea Golf Course
Designed by Nick Faldo, the world-class Elea golf course is part of the Elea Estate where you will find a boutique hotel, luxury apartments and villas, spa facilities and a great choice of dining options. The course has an excellent location with breathtaking views of Paphos Town and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Weaving its way through the rolling countryside where weathered outcrops of limestone add character and contrast, golfers of all levels can explore and unravel all 18-holes of the course. This is a challenging course that meanders through olive groves where some holes are surrounded by Mediterranean grasses, native flora and wild herbs. Next to the golf house there is the Elea Golf Academy which features a full length driving range with bunkers and target greens, a putting green and a short game practice area. The stunning putting green offers amazing views across the whole of the golf course.
Secret Valley Golf Course
The Secret Valley Golf Course is located in a beautiful valley about 12 miles from Paphos near to ‘Petra tou Romiou’, the birthplace of the mythical goddess of love, Aphrodite. Offering wonderful panoramic views of the area, the course is set in scenic hills and is surrounded by mature trees and dramatic rock formations. This 18-hole course also offers tuition by a PGA qualified resident golf instructor, putting greens, chipping areas, fairway bunkers and a large driving range. The recently renovated clubhouse includes locker rooms, a sports shop offering equipment for hire or sale, bars and a restaurant with terraces overlooking the course and artificial lake.
Minthis Hills Golf Course
The recently refurbished Minthis Golf Course was founded in 1994. The club is set in the grounds of a 12th century monastery and is surrounded by vineyards and orchards. Nestled in a small valley on the outskirts of Paphos, the course sits at an altitude of 550 meters above sea level and is therefore blessed with cooling sea breezes during the summer months. A recent refurbishment of the greens by British golf course architects Mackenzie and Ebert has included all tees being rebuilt and expanded, bunkers reshaped and new bunkers added. The new club house is under construction and is in a traditional Cypriot architectural style with lots of glass and wood as the dominant features. With golf becoming an increasingly popular attraction on the island, there are lots of holiday deals to Cyprus available throughout the internet.