From Scotland, golf spread across
the globe. Today, the United States leads with over 17,000 golf clubs, followed
by Japan with 3,200, the United Kingdom and Canada with approximately 2,500
each, then Germany with 1,100, and France with around 800.
In Eastern Europe, the sport had
no footing during the communist era. In Romania, golf courses began to emerge
slowly in the early 2000s, immediately attracting a small but passionate
community. That community has since grown steadily—after all, it’s said that
once you step onto a course and hit the ball a few times, you’re hooked. The
manicured greens, peaceful surroundings, and camaraderie only deepen the
appeal.
Although still catching up with
Western Europe, the culture of golf is quickly developing in Eastern Europe,
supported by the creation of some of the most beautiful and modern courses on
the continent.
National Golf & Country
Club
One of the newest and most
spectacular additions to the region, National Golf & Country Club was
founded by Metin Dogan, a golf enthusiast.
Home to the largest golf course
in Eastern Europe, located just 40 km from Bucharest, this destination is one
of the top choices for international players seeking a „stay and play“
experience at a championship-level course with full country club amenities. The
18-hole golf course regularly hosts international tournaments, drawing elite
players and showcasing the country on a global stage.
The development includes 173
luxury Golf Villas in nine different styles. Each villa features a private
swimming pool, solar panels, underfloor heating, central cooling, space for 2–3
cars, eleven electric vehicle charging stations, and generous garden areas.
Residents and club members include politicians, celebrities, CEOs, business
owners, and tennis players such as Simona Halep and Dinu Pescariu. There are
also 110 modern apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units.
Residents enjoy a 35-meter heated and cooled outdoor infinity pool overlooking
the golf course and lake, a separate kids’ pool, and a poolside bar.
A 5-star hotel is in development,
featuring a spa, gym, large event hall with golf course views, tennis and padel
courts, a multi-sport outdoor court, kids’ play area, and a running and cycling
track encircling the complex. Ample parking with electric charging stations is
also provided.
Golfers can shop at a luxury pro
shop, offering exclusive apparel and equipment, and dine at an elegant
restaurant with a terrace overlooking the course.
Training and practice are
elevated with a high-tech TrackMan Radar driving range and golf academy,
offering lessons from experienced male and female professional coaches.
The complex is managed by an
international team of seasoned experts, who organize both professional events
and amateur championship tournaments to the highest standards.
Metin Dogan, the owner of the National Golf & Country Club, has over 30 years of experience in property development and renewable energy. His introduction to golf came just six years ago when a friend invited him to give it a try.
How did you go from being
passionate about golf to developing a golf course?
I started playing golf six years
ago and really enjoyed the sport. Later, analysing the situation in Romania, I
realised that there was no golf course near Bucharest, so I decided to make
this investment to promote Romania and attract investors to more business
areas.
What sets your golf course
apart from similar developments?
The National Golf & Country Club concept is a unique concept that was designed as a complex project from the outset, offering multiple facilities: accommodation, golf academy, club house, restaurant, swimming pool, event hall, basketball court, tennis court, playgrounds, running tracks. There is no such concept in Southern Europe, which puts us in first place in this field.
What is your opinion on golf
culture in Eastern Europe?
At the moment, golf culture in
Eastern Europe is in its infancy but is constantly developing, and in 10-20
years it will expand and improve greatly.
Where do you see this golf
course and its community in 10 years?
The National Golf & Country
Club is constantly expanding, and in a few years it will attract over 15,000
tourists per year, thus becoming one of the most important attractions in
Romania.
If you could change something
about your experience as a golf course owner, what would you do differently?
From the outset, our project has
been complex and comprehensive in every respect, placing us among the top golf
courses in Europe. I believe we offer the highest quality services and will
always continue to do so.
What is the greatest
satisfaction you have gained from developing a golf course?
As the first person to achieve this in Romania, I feel proud and happy that I was able to develop this project here and not elsewhere, thus placing Romania in an important position in this field, but also in terms of promoting tourism. Through vision, hard work, and perseverance, I have managed to complete this project, which also encompasses some of the experience I have gained over the years in business. However, for me, the National Golf & Country Club is more than a business; it is a project close to my heart in which I have been fully involved.
Ozkan Baykal, general manager of the National Golf & Country Club
Ozkan Baykal, a British PGA
Professional withinternational experience, is now the general manager of the
National Golf & Country Club.
How did you start playing
golf?
I was a Physical Education and
Sport Teacher in England, working over six years in schools before becoming a
professional golfer. Sport has always been my passion. I was introduced to golf
by a friend in Warwickshire, the home of William Shakespeare. For me, golf was
„to be or not to be.“ My first swing, where I hit the ball perfectly and
watched it travel 150 yards, hooked me instantly.
After training for three years, I
became a professional player, competing across the UK and worldwide, including
the US, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. I
pursued further studies in PGA Golf Coaching and Golf Management, ultimately
obtaining my Master’s and Ph.D. in Golf Sport and Athletic Performance. Golf
transformed my career, allowing me to work in various roles such as a golf
coach, academy manager, sales manager of luxury hotels, mentor for professional
golfers, and consultant for international golf federations. I’ve held
positions as a golf operations manager and general manager across the UK,
Dubai, Turkey, Monaco, the Middle East, and Europe.
What was the biggest challenge
as manager of the National Golf & Country Club?
I enjoy overcoming challenges. As a new sport in the country and with a new complex offering a wide range of facilities, there were logistical challenges like importing golfing products and finding qualified employees for key roles. However, we’ve trained both locals and internationals to effectively deliver the required services.
What programs do you have for
new players and children?
In our Golf Academy, we offer:
- A junior golf program for ages 5 to 14+ on Sundays
- A school holiday camp
- School programs providing lessons as an extracurricular activity
- A beginners golf program every Sunday at 4 pm for mixed genders
- A Ladies Golf Program on Sunday afternoons with a female coach
- Beginners Academy Membership designed for newcomers
- Events combining golf with activities such as Pilates, sunset yoga, and DJ pool parties
What additional amenities and
services are available to players?
We boast a 350m driving range
with a High Tech Trackman Radar system, extensive putting and chipping greens,
a practice bunker, a bar, a restaurant, and a clubhouse overlooking the 9th and
18th greens. We host significant national and international tournaments like
the DP World sponsored Romanian Open Championship, BMW Golf Cup, Turkish
Airlines Golf Cup and World Amateur Golfers Championship.
What are the new challenges of
this game?
Time is a crucial factor in golf,
as a round of 18 holes takes at least four hours. With busy lifestyles, playing
more than once a week can be challenging.
What would you convey to those
who have not yet decided to enter a golf course?
Golf offers numerous benefits: it
promotes longevity by keeping you active outdoors, is great for heart health,
reduces stress and anxiety, offers mental relaxation, provides Vitamin D,
improves focus and brain health through mental alertness, and fosters social
interactions and networking opportunities. It’s a low-risk sport suitable for
all ages and genders.
