Rain Bird Helps Build A Sustainable Vision For Golf In Dalaman

The dawn of a ground-breaking new era for golf tourism in Turkey is set to break next summer with the launch of a new 18-hole championship golf course on the stunning Dalaman Coast. The par-72 layout will be the region’s first golf venue when it opens at Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa next June and has been designed by the International Design Group.

Located just a 20-minute drive from Dalaman International Airport, the course — which will be managed by The Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa — has been created on a site bordered by the beach resort to the south and a river to the west.

Measuring 6,152 metres from the back tees (6,728 yards) and built on natural sandy soil using the best sustainable practices, the layout will feature sweeping uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean and is predicted to become one of the most beautiful and prestigious golfing experiences in Turkey. Complementing the course will be facilities including a driving range, putting green, short game area, clubhouse, restaurant and halfway house.

Ümit Yasar Atalay, General Manager at the Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Golf Resort & Spa Golf Club said: “Our vision is to create an environmentally conscious, nature-integrated golf course that meets international standards and positions Turkey where it rightfully belongs in the global golf tourism arena. The area’s rare qualities inspired us to envision a course that would not only coexist with the landscape but also enhance it. It’s been designed as a sustainable, aesthetic living space and one that provides a premium experience for players of all levels. Our guests won’t just play golf here; they’ll enjoy a peaceful experience in harmony with nature.”

Golf Course Architect and Chartered Landscape Architect, Andrew Craven of International Design Group (IDG) describes the site as a gift; with sand dunes, mountains and marshlands, it’s both varied and delicate.

“From the outset we embraced a respect-for-nature philosophy with the client. Nature told us where to place each element — we just had to listen. The terrain shaped the routing plan organically with two loops of nine holes returning to an elevated clubhouse. Each hole is designed to offer a rich sensory and visual experience, and the layout can be adapted in future to meet the demands of professional tournaments. We wanted a course that punishes poor shots but rewards good ones, that challenges experienced golfers yet is accessible to newcomers. One highlight is the 15th hole, a Par 5 with a 25-metre drop from the tee, flanked by a nature reserve on one side and a man-made lake on the other. Golfers will need nerves of steel.”

Given sandy soils and a hot, dry and windy coastal microclimate, irrigation planning was critical. Giles Wardle of lrriplan designed and specified a new irrigation system working with IDG to align course routing with efficient water use. This approach was a first, unusual and forward thinking, but one that Wardle and Craven welcomed and that could shape future projects. They collaborated to fine tune grassing lines, adjusting tee positions to fit the rotor spacing, adjusting teeing surfaces and distance from cart paths to ensure that irrigation coverage was optimised and uniform, without having to install an unnecessarily excessive number of rotors.

There’s a plentiful water supply sourced from a lake fed by a river outfall. Designed with a warming climate in mind, the irrigation system was carefully planned to support the course for the next 20-25 years and includes a Rain Bird IC System with CirrusPRO Central Control and 1,382 Rain Bird rotors.

Warm season Paspalum grass has been chosen for its dark green colour, salt tolerance and resilience, well suited to brackish water irrigation and variable mowing heights. Selected areas of natural vegetation will remain as rough, reducing irrigation needs and enhancing visual variety.

Golf Med, Rain Bird’s distributor in Turkey and sister company, Golf Tek are currently overseeing construction. The client has also provided professional surveying, drone mapping and engineering services. Construction work began in April 2024, is scheduled for completion in September 2025 and the course is expected to open in late April 2026.

Naki Evrandir from Golf Med commented: “Since the beginning, we’ve provided consulting services and worked closely with our investor client who also owns one of the country's leading construction companies. We combined our golf course construction experience with their workforce potential, working in perfect harmony under the challenging terrain and climate conditions. The site combines many natural features and related construction challenges, but we’ve previously undertaken many with a similar climate and terrain. We’ve used every available irrigation system on previous projects, but for this one we’re using the Rain Bird IC System with CirrusPRO Central Control, which is undeniably superior to others on the market, and so we’d recommend it for any future projects,” said Evrandir.

Atalay concluded: “For us, success isn’t merely completing the golf course—it’s establishing Dalaman as a recognised hub of international golf tourism. Within the next five years, our goal is to host international tournaments, set an example with our sustainable environmental practices, and create a destination that prioritises guest experience.”

Photo: Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa.