European Tour heading to PGA National Cyprus
Aphrodite Hills Resort
The PGA National Cyprus Golf Course at the Aphrodite Hills Resort near Paphos will host some of the biggest names in golf after being selected to host two European Tour events later this year.
The European Tour has confirmed it will be heading to Cyprus for the first time in its long history with the introduction of two new events, each carrying a prize fund of €1million.
The PGA National Cyprus Golf Course will host the Cyprus Open from October 29 – November 1, followed by the Cyprus Classic from November 5-8.
The back-to-back tournaments, which will be promoted by International Sports Management, will attract hundreds of the world’s top golfers. They will also be covered by European Tour Productions and Sky Sports television networks, reaching more than 400 million subscribers around the world.
Andrew Darker, Director of Golf at Aphrodite Hills Resort, said: “Hosting these two consecutive tournaments clearly turns our country’s vision into reality, to become the favourite European destination for sport and much, much more.
“Golf in Cyprus is growing on an upward scale as all of us join forces to promote our top-class facilities and the year-round excellent weather.
“We are looking forward to hosting two European Tour events and the sense of security offered by our Government in the face of the COVID-19 crisis is one of the major factors in helping us achieve our vision.”
Aphrodite Hills Resort became the PGA National Cyprus in August 2017 and was selected for its exceptional golf course following its extensive €2.5M scheme of bunkers and greens improvements, clearly supporting its potential for hosting international golf tournaments, together with its broader leisure, accommodation and hospitality facilities which are of equally outstanding quality.
The award-winning course at Aphrodite Hills Resort was designed by the acclaimed architect, Cabell Robinson who also led the 2017 scheme of improvements. It overlooks the site where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, is said to have emerged from the sea. A perfect mix of challenging bunkers, manicured fairways and generous tiered greens, combined with breath-taking scenery, make it one of the top courses in the Mediterranean.
George Misirlis, CEO of Aphrodite Hills Resort, also commented: “The fact that we have been chosen to host such an event is a privilege not only because it recognizes the quality and excellence of our sports facilities but mainly because this is a vote of confidence towards our country. Our island is about to have one of the greatest promotional opportunities as a sports, tourism, investment, and safe destination. Golf is one of the main pillars of the development of Cyprus’ sports whilst it also promotes quality tourism. This is a lifetime opportunity to promote our dynamics as a core of thematic and alternative tourism”.
Guy Moran, Head of Property Development at The PGA, commented: “We are delighted that PGA National Cyprus has been selected to host two European Tour events in the coming months.
“Aphrodite Hills Resort has invested in its golf course in recent years, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the course has been maintained and kept in excellent condition. This announcement is just reward for the hard work Andrew (Darker) and his team have put in, making Aphrodite Hills Resort one of the ‘must-play’ courses in the region.
“The announcement is further evidence of the resort and Cyprus coming out of difficult times and I am confident the PGA National Cyprus Golf Course at Aphrodite Hills Resort will be a wonderful host for European Tour players.”
The announcement comes just days after The Belfry (the home of the PGA National England) successfully hosted the final tournament of the European Tour’s UK Swing series.
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