Elea Estate Golf Club - Faldo’s Mediterranean Masterpiece

Set in a stunning natural environment and with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean the Eléa Estate Golf Club provides an emphasis on thoughtful rather than big hitting golf.

Opening in October 2010 this is the first new course in Cyprus in seven years and whether you are relaxing in the luxurious clubhouse or taking on the challenges of the Faldo designed course, a fantastic time is all part of the Eléa experience.

The 18 hole par 71 course has been designed to make the most of the stunning natural environment and it will truly test your strategic skills and precision which is a joy to play for all golfers.

The Clubhouse

Situated at the heart of Eléa Estate you can indulge yourself with fantastic views from any one of the five terraces overlooking the 18th green, across the course and beyond to the Mediterranean.

Designed to impress, the clubhouse has been thoughtfully created combining comfort with a contemporary décor to capture the essence of Cyprus as well as the traditional golf club.

It also boasts an impressive underground car park, an outstanding restaurant, event facilities and an exclusive private terrace for golfing parties.

The Eléa Estate Golf Course

As you meander your way through the course you will agree that Sir Nick Faldo has masterminded a true golfing challenge that will test your ability to the full with not only well placed bunkers but water features, the most notable being on the par 5 9th hole that wraps itself around the front edge of the green awaiting to bring certain doom for any golfer that attempts to reach this green in two.

There are approximately 64 bunkers that are littered around the course although you feel that there are hundreds of them. They are large, situated in very strategic places and designed to capture that slightly wayward shot.

At only 6313 yards from the white tees it is not one of the longest courses  but it is certainly a test for golfers of all abilities.

Front 9

The course is definitely a tale of two halves with the front nine holes where you can attack the course, plotting your way around the front nine hoping to get a good score together whilst trying to keep that good score going as you progress to the more tricky back nine.

The front nine consists of two par 3’s where accuracy is rewarded, the first of which is the 3rd hole  that has a two-tiered green and is at an angle meaning significant club differences for front and back pin positions but place your ball on the correct tier and a birdie will be well within your reach. The second par 3 is the seventh where the green is accessible from the front surrounds but a rear pin position requires a delicate fade, par is always a god score on this hole.

Two par 5’s that are reachable in two shots for the longer hitter but also are not out of reach for most players, the second hole which plays downhill from the tee but then rises to the green with a ditch running across the fairway waiting to catch any wayward second shots. The other par 5 is one of the courses signature holes, the 9th where a well hit tee shot could run into another ditch that is awaiting anyone who tries to get it as far down the fairway to give themselves the best chance to get home in two, care must be taken by those who wish to try as wrapping itself around the front and right of the green is one of the courses water features awaiting any shot the comes up that little bit short, but these two holes are definite birdie opportunities.

The rest of the front nine are par 4’s all with there own characteristics, they are not a great length but all require well placed tee shots to attack the pins and claim those all important birdies and pars. The 4th and 5th hole are the most dangerous holes running back to back and hosting two of the courses largest bunkers waiting to trap any slightly off line tee shot.

For those that cannot wait to reach the 19th hole, a well stocked halfway house or “barneys rest” as it is more locally known serves cold drinks.

Back 9

If after you have finished the front nine with a decent score then hold your breath and await the challenge of the back nine. 

It starts innocent enough with a short risk and reward par 4 at only 293 yards which is taken lightly at your peril. If you are decided on attacking the green then stay left as anything drifting right tumbles off the green down a severe slope where if you don’t get the next shot right then you will definitely be playing your 3rd, 4th or even your fifth shot from the same spot as you repeatedly watch the ball keep running back to your feet.

The par 3’s on the back nine start at the 11th another of the signature holes on the course, a difficult par 3 which requires accurate yardage from the tee, anything short is gobbled up by another large greenside bunker meaning a par is by certain a great score for this hole. The other par 3 is the 14th a short hole that has well placed slopes meaning the green can be split into three sections  but get the correct level and a birdie can be had.

The only par 5 on the back nine is not as accessible as the two on the front nine, but you must find the fairway, a dogleg to the right meaning the longer hitters may be able to cut the corner but miss time your tee shot and there is a ditch waiting, uphill second shot to a generously sized green with a number of bunkers well placed short to trap any player who tries to bomb the green in two.

The last four holes are four of the hardest holes on any course in Cyprus, the 15th another signature hole named perfect as this is what you will need to be with both your tee shot and approach shot to a well guarded green that angles away from the player and is very narrow, a par being an excellent score. The 16th hole is very much an uphill hole with accuracy rather than length required, the fairway stops at 280 yards from the tee then another uphill shot over some rough area to an enormous but well defined green where a par would again be a good score, the last of the signature hole is the 17th an impressive par 4 451 yards in length where the approach shot must carry over 100yards of native vegetation to an island looking green is daunting to even the most experienced player, then onto the final hole.

If you have any nerves left then you are surely going to lose it all here, measuring 445 yards from the white tee all the fairway slopes severely to the right and a deep bunker waiting for any shot drifting further, then the approach shot to a green guarded by a steep bank on the left with also a sloping green to the right, only a perfect approach shot will enable you to walk off with a par and leaving you with a sense of pride and satisfaction after completing a round of golf on such a challenging but fulfilling golf course.

To Sum Up

“A must play golf course for any golf enthusiast” – so what are you waiting for!

Services and Facilities

These are second to none at the Eléa Estate Golf Club from the moment you arrive with valet parking all the way through your round and then the relaxation afterwards. You are spoilt for choice with access to:

• Valet parking with an underground parking area
• Magnificent clubhouse with multiple terraces
• A fully stocked pro shop with a full range of equipment hire.
• State of the art equipment within the Elea Acadamy
• Landscaped short game and driving range
• Practice putting and chipping areas
• Locker room with shower facilities
• Members enjoy exclusive access to members only lounge and terrace
• Outstanding restaurant with award winning chefs

An exclusive selection of three, four and five bedroom villas and two and three bedroom garden villas are available for sale, with a hotel and spa in the development stage which is due for completion within the near future.

Situated just minutes from Paphos international airport and just a short drive from the vibrant town of Paphos with its numerous hotels and bars, this has put Elea within easy reach and hassle free.

For more information on Eléa Estate Golf Club, the course or facilities visit: www.eleaestate.com