Golf in Cyprus is alive and well and looks set to be a growth “industry” over the coming years. With eleven new courses planned, many of them in the Paphos area, we can confidently expect an upsurge in not only the game here but in the number of tourists arriving for golfing holidays.

Before the economists and doubters reach for the phone I will add the proviso of 'If it is managed properly and the developers understand the fundamental problems associated with developments built on or around golf courses'.

The main issue of the proviso being water or rather the lack of it. But that is a point which we will develop over the coming months because for this issue I want to give an insight into the beautiful game as it is here and now.

Cyprus has three main courses at present although there are others across the island ranging from 9 hole courses, some on military bases, to a delightful 12 hole course at Vikla a few kilometres north-west of Limassol.

But it is the Paphos region which boasts the lions share and undoubtedly the best on offer. Aphrodite Hills designed by Cabell Robinson is a superb course which tests golfers of all standards and offers some magnificent views across the coastline and hills.

Secret Valley is a gem of a course set in a hidden valley with amazing rock formations complimenting the excellent course. Finally Tsada set in the hills above Paphos and which re-opened in June this year after a year long extensive re-construction programme. Tsada is now a truly international standard golf course with some quite eye watering holes to test your game.

So what is it about golf that forces so many people to spend every spare minute they have smacking a little white ball around the countryside in search of an elusive small hole to deposit it in? The answer is not easy because there isn't a single reason; it's a case of many components combining to make an almost irresistible force which compels normally sane people to chase the impossible. Impossible?

Yes because perfection is the dream and acceptable is the reality of the game. Golf teaches people honesty, sportsmanship, consideration, respect and etiquette on the course while offering friendship, social activities and entertainment off the course. It's a game when you play well you believe you have finally cracked it and when you play badly you want to go straight back out and prove you can do it.

The highs and lows of the game are extreme whatever your handicap. The health aspect is also worth considering because you probably walk somewhere between six and seven thousand metres during the game. Good for burning off last nights meze and wine!!

The social side of golf is a major aspect as you are constantly being introduced to new friends, so it offers a great way of settling in to a new life in Cyprus.

It's a cosmopolitan society with numerous nationalities represented within the club memberships and the activities at the three courses are varied and entertaining. Work on the new Tsada clubhouse is underway while the other two already boast first class facilities. And ladies, it's not a "male thing" as all the clubs have a flourishing ladies section with regular competitions. So there's no excuse, get yourself along and have a look around at what could be a new extension to your life in Cyprus.

Andrew Darker and his team of professionals at Aphrodite Hills offer lessons for children, complete beginners through to low handicappers. They have excellent practice facilities including a three hole academy course for you to perfect your new skills before having to venture on to the 'real course'. Paul Dyer, the resident professional at Tsada and Secret Valley, offers a similar programme including a 6 week, 7 hour course for ladies which covers every aspect of the game and includes a nine hole playing lesson at the end. So ladies, for just CYP40 you can take your first steps on the golfing ladder.

Throughout the year there are open tournaments and a number of celebrity competitions which attract well known faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment. The Cyprus Golf Federation hosts the Men's and Ladies Open Championships which this year welcomed 16 different nationalities in the men's tournament and 11 in the ladies. The Ladies title was won by 17 year old Linda Henriksson, a very talented young lady from Finland and a golfer from the Lebanon took the men's championship. September sees the very first Cyprus Junior Golf Championship and once again it's the clubs and their respective professionals who have been the driving force of junior golf. Andrew Darker has promoted junior golf at Aphrodite Hills while Paul Dyer and Terry Scott have been working tirelessly on junior golf development at Tsada and Secret Valley. Terry managed to persuade the R&A, the games ruling body, to part fund the Junior Golf Academy at Secret Valley. To round off the age scales the first Cyprus Senior Open will take place at the course in early October. Golf is a game for everyone.

The island has much to offer and the belief is that golf will bring another revenue stream to the island's economy.

The climate, the people and the existing course around Paphos should be the springboard for success, but there are a number of hurdles to overcome before we see those ardent golfers teeing it up on a new course.

One of the first issues is to get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet. Already this year we have seen airlines crossing swords with the airport operators regarding the operational cost of flying in and out of Cyprus.

They say they are prepared to review their operational policy for next year and possibly reduce the number of flights if costs are not brought in line with other European airports. Flight and holiday costs do prohibit a large number of people who opt for less expensive golf and holidays in Portugal, Spain and Mallorca.

With more destinations to choose from such as Turkey, Croatia and Rumania, who are hungry for tourism, there is a need for Cyprus to ensure it doesn't miss the boat. Pricing itself out of the market before a ball has been hit is not an option. That said the idea of providing more courses must be applauded and hopefully more people will come here and enjoy this great game.

In the future we will bring news from the clubs, photographs from competitions and social events and all the latest developments regarding the future of golf in Cyprus. There is an old perception that golf clubs are …well a bit stuffy. Forget it.

Golf in Cyprus is all about enjoying yourself so why not call in to a club, have a look round and if you've never tried the game book yourself a few lessons and "give it a go".

If the first eighteen holes are tough the nineteenth is always friendly!

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