Golf in Cyprus

Cyprus may be a newcomer in the golf holiday market but it is fast becoming a favourite with many travellers due to an improvement in facilities and, of course, its superb all-year round climate. The island now boasts three courses following the opening last year of Aphrodite Hills, without doubt the jewel in the Cyprus golfing crown.

The course has been developed by the Lanitis family - one of the richest in Cyprus - and, in its promotional material, it is claimed that "if the Gods played golf, then this would be their temple". Designed by Cabell Robinson, a Spanish-born American, the course is situated on two high plateaux divided by a ravine.

There are five sets of tees on each hole and the course offers an excellent test of golf from start to finish. Buggies are compulsory here and you don't have to wait long to discover why as you certainly wouldn't want to walk from the second green to the third tee. From the back tee at the third you have to carry the ravine to reach the fairway but for the less adventurous there are tees on the other side.

The par-3 seventh is a real gem, as is the next hole, a par-4 where accuracy is essential off the tee and the second is hit to a green which has the sea sparkling like diamonds behind it. The back nine is even more memorable and, like all good courses, Aphrodite Hills has an excellent closing hole in the shape of a par-5 which is guarded up at the green by a sizeable water hazard. No expense has been spared either on or off the course at Aphrodite Hills and the clubhouse is certainly a match for the best anywhere else in the world.

A large Intercontinental Hotel is being built along with a health spa and village centre, all of which will help Aphrodite Hills become a serious player in the golf holiday market in years to come. The two other courses in Cyprus are also in the Paphos area. Indeed, you can see one of them - Secret Valley - from the 16th hole at Aphrodite Hills. It opened in 1996 and lies, as the name suggests, in a valley - a scenic one at that with bright rock formations creating a truly spectacular setting.

The Secret Valley course is also kept in excellent condition and, as part of a concerted bid to attract more holiday golfers to Cyprus, money is constantly being spent on improving its facilities. Tsada, the third course on the island, is owned by the same company as Secret Valley. Designed by Donald Steel, it is located in the hills to the back of Paphos and opened in 1994. Accuracy is essential at Tsada as the fairways are tight but overall it, too, provides an enjoyable test of golf.

More courses are in the pipeline for Cyprus but the three on offer at the moment make it well worth a visit.