Golf in Bulgaria

Golf is happening in Bulgaria

It is said that golf is a by-product of affluence. If the current development of golf courses and associated properties is anything to go by, then the country is well on its way to becoming quite affluent.

The Bulgarian government is so convinced of the importance of golf to boost tourist revenues, it is offering incentives to potential golf course developers.

Currently there are only 3 fully operational golf courses in Bulgaria. However, there are at least 20-30 golf complexes either under construction or planned, some carrying the "designer label" of Nicklaus, Player and Woosenham. Some of these courses will opening in 2008, whilst others are a few years away.

The climate is well suited to the sport, and courses are being built across the whole country - near the Black Sea Coast, in the mountain regions around Bansko, near the capital, Sofia, and in other rural areas.

The major difference between golf in Bulgaria and golf in other European countries, is that to buy a property within or near a golf complex is quite affordable and should be a serious consideration for any avid golf fanatic. Apart from the obvious thrill of having a property close to the greens, it is currently relatively inexpensive, but has huge potential in terms of rental income and capital growth.

Some golf courses will be part of a complex, which, in addition to the course will include apartments/villas, a shopping complex and a range of leisure activities.

Existing Golf Courses

New Courses/Complexes

Black Sea Coast

The locations stretch from Kavarna and Balchik in the north to Sozopol in the south, and some areas are already being dubbed the "Golf Riviera".
Let's start in the north - here you have the choice of either a course on top of the cliffs overlooking the sea, or down at almost sea-level.

Thracian Cliffs Golf and Spa (designed by Gary Player) - as the name suggests, is on top of the cliffs and offers the following:

• A 5 star 150 key hotel with a hydrotherapy spa centre
• A 4 star 250 key hotel
• Residential villages comprising of different types of villas and apartments
• An old traditional style marina village centre with Commercial and Residential components
• 18 Hole Championship Golf Course
• Golf Club House and Apartments
• Driving Range

BlackSeaRama - another Player design - as the names suggests, is also on the cliff tops and offers luxury villas and bugalows at half the cost of comparable ones in Spain and Portugal.

The Lighthouse Golf Resort (designed by Ian Woosenham) - as the names suggests, is on top of the cliffs and offers the following:

• A 5 star 150 key hotel with a hydrotherapy spa centre
• A 4 star 250 key hotel
• Residential villages comprising of different types of villas and apartments
• An old traditional style marina village centre with Commercial and Residential components
• 18 Hole Championship Golf Course
• Golf Club House and Apartments
• Driving Range