Antalya Golf Club has extended its long-standing partnership with PGA UK, confirming that it will remain Turkey’s only authorised PGA National institution until the end of 2035.
The renewed agreement secures the club’s exclusive status within the PGA’s global network and reinforces Antalya’s position as a leading golf destination in the eastern Mediterranean.
The extension, announced in December 2025, continues a collaboration that began in October 2006. The agreement was signed by Yasin Akkanat, Deputy Chair of Akkanat Holding, and PGA UK Commercial Director Richard Baker, with senior figures from the tourism and hospitality sectors attending the signing ceremony.
Long-term PGA status strengthens Antalya’s global golf profile
Under the renewed agreement, Antalya Golf Club will continue to operate as PGA National Türkiye, maintaining its place within the PGA’s international portfolio of branded facilities. The extension until 2035 reflects PGA UK’s continued recognition of the club’s course standards, professional management and long-term operational consistency.
The agreement was signed by Yasin Akkanat, Deputy Chair of Akkanat Holding, and Richard Baker, Commercial Director of PGA UK. Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of the PGA, also addressed the ceremony, highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership. The event was attended by Ercan Çek, General Manager of Sirene Belek Hotel; Amit Sharma, General Manager of Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek; İzzet Kondak, General Manager of Antalya Golf Club; and Volkan Çavuşoğlu, Sales and Marketing Director of Akkanat Holding’s Tourism Group.
The club is home to the PGA Sultan and The Pasha championship courses, both officially authorised by the PGA. Together, they form the foundation of PGA National Türkiye and have played a central role in positioning Antalya as a winter golf destination for international travellers, particularly from Europe and the Middle East.
Founded in 1901, the PGA is widely regarded as the world’s oldest professional golf organisation and sets global benchmarks for education, training and quality standards in the sport. Today, PGA UK represents more than 8,000 members worldwide and is considered a reference authority within the international golf industry.
By retaining its sole PGA National status in Turkey, Antalya Golf Club remains the country’s primary gateway to PGA-branded golf experiences. This exclusivity supports the destination’s appeal for international tournaments, professional training programmes and golf-focused travel, particularly in the Belek region, which has developed into Turkey’s main golf hub.
Investment, education and resort development
Commenting on the agreement, Yasin Akkanat, Deputy Chair of Akkanat Holding, said that investment under the PGA National Türkiye brand extends beyond the golf courses themselves. He noted that the club has built an integrated structure focused on education, performance and player development in line with international standards.
As part of this approach, Antalya Golf Club has established the PGA National Golf Academy Türkiye, aimed at supporting both player development and professional training. The club has also incorporated the Titleist brand into its operations as Turkey’s official distributor, allowing academy athletes and students access to top-tier equipment and services.
Hospitality investment forms another pillar of the long-term strategy. Renovation work at Sirene Belek Hotel and new accommodation developments at Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek are designed to strengthen the region’s combined golf and luxury tourism offering. These projects are positioned as part of a wider effort to elevate Belek beyond international benchmarks for integrated resort destinations.
PGA UK also highlighted the strategic importance of the renewed partnership. Richard Barker, Business Development Director at PGA UK, said: “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Antalya Golf Club as PGA National Türkiye. This venue consistently meets all the standards we expect from a PGA-branded facility. This renewal reflects our long-standing partnership and Antalya Golf Club’s commitment to delivering outstanding golf experiences for PGA members and visitors. Our aim is to build on this success over the next decade.”
The agreement comes at a time when golf tourism is increasingly linked to destination branding, long-stay travel and high-end resort experiences. For Antalya, maintaining exclusive PGA National status provides a competitive advantage in attracting golfers planning extended winter stays or golf-focused holidays.
With the partnership now secured through 2035, Antalya Golf Club is positioned to continue shaping Turkey’s golf tourism strategy for the next decade. The renewal underscores a long-term commitment to professional standards, international visibility and sustained investment, reinforcing Antalya’s role as the country’s flagship golf destination.
