Golf in the Sun - Take a Look at Cyprus
Picture an average day's golfing in the UK.
Dark clouds scud across the sky, the fairway is under an inch of water and howling gales make sure that the little white ball goes every which way but where you want it to.
This has certainly been the case in the summer of 2007, which is just one more reason why so many British and North European golfers are now casting their eyes abroad in search of golf properties in warmer climes.
During the past few years, the most popular and exclusive destinations have included 'Sun City' in South Africa, 'La Manga' in Spain and the self-proclaimed king of golf resorts, 'Vale do Lobos' in Portugal.
But whilst, from a golfer's point of view, these locations boast outstanding facilities and the very height of luxury where golf properties are concerned; from an investor's point of view they have seen their day, so to speak.
Let's take La Manga as an example.
Bearing in mind that plans for a new and exclusive golfing resort in Spain began to attract substantial investment from Premiership footballers, sporting personalities and high-flying members of the international business community between 2001 and 2003, it may come as something of a surprise to find that La Manga saw its first Spanish Open back in 1973.
Indeed, as is the case with many other golfing venues around the world, La Manga's meteoric rise to international fame can be largely attributed to being in the right place to take advantage of the veritable explosion in demand for golf properties in the sun which began during the late 1990s and continues to this day.
It is safe to say that any investor who bought a home at or near the resort between 2001 and 2003 has seen an above average ROI.
These days however, although property values are of course still rising, homes around La Manga have long since seen the steepest part of the appreciation curve.
By contrast, there is a location in the Mediterranean where golf and golf resorts are only just beginning to become a standard feature; Cyprus, the 'Island of Aphrodite'.
The Republic of Cyprus saw the opening of its first grass golf course at Tsada, a small village in the hills above Paphos, back in 1994.
Subsequent years have seen the opening of golf courses at Secret Valley and the neighbouring Aphrodite Hills along Cyprus' west coast; all of which have become favourites with golf tourists from across Europe.
Where golf in Cyprus is concerned however, the development which is catching the attention of golfers and investors from around the world, is the announcement by the Cypriot government that fourteen new golf courses are to be constructed throughout the Republic.
Whilst this may not seem like an extraordinarily large number at first, one should bear in mind that Cyprus is quite a small island and it is possible to drive from one end of the island to the other in less than three hours.
Furthermore, as far as a golfing venue is concerned, Cyprus is certainly no slouch compared to Spain or Portugal.
With an average 326 days of sunshine each year, the island counts itself as one of the sunniest locations in the Mediterranean.
Similar things may be said about the island's scenic beauty which sees a stunning variety of landscapes, ranging from the coastal plains and hills with their majestic sea views, to the tree covered slopes of the Troodos Mountains in the island's interior.
Given the Cypriot government's firm commitment to put the Republic of Cyprus on the international golfing map and the 'Cyprus Tourism Organisation's continuing global drive to bring more visitors to the island, it is easy to see the long-term potential of fourteen new golf courses, together with associated resorts and luxury property developments.
Here then, is a place which promises to fulfil not only the desires of the avid golfer, but the shrewd investor also.
So, if you're after golf in the sun and a healthy return on your investment, why not take a look at Cyprus?
Dark clouds scud across the sky, the fairway is under an inch of water and howling gales make sure that the little white ball goes every which way but where you want it to.
This has certainly been the case in the summer of 2007, which is just one more reason why so many British and North European golfers are now casting their eyes abroad in search of golf properties in warmer climes.
During the past few years, the most popular and exclusive destinations have included 'Sun City' in South Africa, 'La Manga' in Spain and the self-proclaimed king of golf resorts, 'Vale do Lobos' in Portugal.
But whilst, from a golfer's point of view, these locations boast outstanding facilities and the very height of luxury where golf properties are concerned; from an investor's point of view they have seen their day, so to speak.
Let's take La Manga as an example.
Bearing in mind that plans for a new and exclusive golfing resort in Spain began to attract substantial investment from Premiership footballers, sporting personalities and high-flying members of the international business community between 2001 and 2003, it may come as something of a surprise to find that La Manga saw its first Spanish Open back in 1973.
Indeed, as is the case with many other golfing venues around the world, La Manga's meteoric rise to international fame can be largely attributed to being in the right place to take advantage of the veritable explosion in demand for golf properties in the sun which began during the late 1990s and continues to this day.
It is safe to say that any investor who bought a home at or near the resort between 2001 and 2003 has seen an above average ROI.
These days however, although property values are of course still rising, homes around La Manga have long since seen the steepest part of the appreciation curve.
By contrast, there is a location in the Mediterranean where golf and golf resorts are only just beginning to become a standard feature; Cyprus, the 'Island of Aphrodite'.
The Republic of Cyprus saw the opening of its first grass golf course at Tsada, a small village in the hills above Paphos, back in 1994.
Subsequent years have seen the opening of golf courses at Secret Valley and the neighbouring Aphrodite Hills along Cyprus' west coast; all of which have become favourites with golf tourists from across Europe.
Where golf in Cyprus is concerned however, the development which is catching the attention of golfers and investors from around the world, is the announcement by the Cypriot government that fourteen new golf courses are to be constructed throughout the Republic.
Whilst this may not seem like an extraordinarily large number at first, one should bear in mind that Cyprus is quite a small island and it is possible to drive from one end of the island to the other in less than three hours.
Furthermore, as far as a golfing venue is concerned, Cyprus is certainly no slouch compared to Spain or Portugal.
With an average 326 days of sunshine each year, the island counts itself as one of the sunniest locations in the Mediterranean.
Similar things may be said about the island's scenic beauty which sees a stunning variety of landscapes, ranging from the coastal plains and hills with their majestic sea views, to the tree covered slopes of the Troodos Mountains in the island's interior.
Given the Cypriot government's firm commitment to put the Republic of Cyprus on the international golfing map and the 'Cyprus Tourism Organisation's continuing global drive to bring more visitors to the island, it is easy to see the long-term potential of fourteen new golf courses, together with associated resorts and luxury property developments.
Here then, is a place which promises to fulfil not only the desires of the avid golfer, but the shrewd investor also.
So, if you're after golf in the sun and a healthy return on your investment, why not take a look at Cyprus?
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