Yesterday, I took a buggy tour of what will, one day soon, be Cyprus' newest golf course, Limassol Greens. I, and three others considering membership, were given a tour by Andrew Darker, Golf General Manager and Nicole Efstathiou, Golf Business Development Executive.
Location
The site is nestled between the Akrotiri salt lake, and the citrus groves of Asomatos. If you're coming from the Paphos - Limassol highway, head for the City of Dreams and "My Mall". The course is slated to open in October of 2025, and so in many ways, is still a building site. We were issued high-visibility gilets on arrival. That said, most of the cart paths have been laid, and fairways grassed. We were able to stand on tees, and look out over fairways, hazards and greens. Citrus trees like rich, moist, soil and that's what we have here. The fairways were lush and springy. Andrew informed us that turf was a hardy Bermuda, resilient to salt and dry conditions. I suspect it will make for a lovely parkland-esque playing surface. If you've golfed in Cyprus before, the grass is more Aphrodite Hills than Secret Valley or Elea.
Topography.
Nobody will ever write a ballad entitled "The rolling hills of Asomatos". The whole area is like a billiard table. Some humps and lumps have been landscaped in, but nothing that could be called a hill, or even a hillock. Much is made of the water management system, where as much water as possible is harvested and stored in a network of small lakes both natural and artificial that are interconnected to the irrigation system. The course is two loops of nine starting and ending at the clubhouse. The front nine to the west (ish) and the back to the east.
Design
As of now, the course is bereft of trees and flora. Those will be put in over the next couple of months. My impression is that the course is straight out of the "How to build a resort golf course" manual. Fairways look generous (although some not yet planted trees may change that) and bunkers relatively benign, although quite numerous in places. Lengthwise, Limassol Greens will be similar to Aphrodite Hills at 6,300 metres or so, off the Championship Tees. The greens themselves didn't seem particularly small or large, but this is a Cabell Robinson design, a man who enjoys a false front or two. It will not have the drama of some of Aphrodite Hills' holes, but it will be walkable.
How will it play? Who knows? Anyone familiar with this part of the island will tell you that it can be breezy. If the greens are kept hard and fast, windy conditions will be a real challenge. Some of the bunkering looked intimidating, and there's plenty of water around and about. I look forward to playing it. Particularly as I'll be able to walk it.
Practice
Mostly a mystery to me, but I'm vaguely aware that some go in for it. There will be a fully-equipped range in front the clubhouse, packed with trackman technology. This will be flanked by a putting green and short game area.
Clubhouse
Buggy park, bag storage, pro shop, changing rooms and roof terrace bar overlooking the range. Right now, a concrete shell.
Membership
Membership numbers will be capped. As everywhere, the facility will look to balance member experience with the need to generate pay and play revenue. Property owners will, I think, have a right to membership if they would like it, and would pay dues are per other members. You can find the current membership offers here. My impression is that management is targeting the business community, and expects to manage all aspects of the membership experience through its own employed team.
Impressions & Caveats
I'm confident it's going to be a nice track. However, it's going to be at the centre of a building site for a few years. Everything currently standing has been sold, with many villas, townhouses and apartments to come. I suspect that even when finished, Limassol Greens will suffer the same problem as Aphrodite Hills where there is an obsession with leaf blowers, the noisier, the better.
Stages. The clubhouse is being built in two stages, with the restaurant coming stage 2, which is slated for commencement in 2026.
Nature. Citrus groves, wetlands, salt lakes. All wonderful, particularly if you're a mosquito. I suspect all the development will alternately make things better and worse, but these little blighters may be an issue for some time at least.
Demographic. Limassol Greens membership is going to appeal to anyone in Cyprus east of Pissouri looking for a membership. It will be closer than the Paphos courses for Nicosia, Larnaca and of course, Limassol. The high-tech driving range is a clear pitch for a younger demographic which might fancy nine holes at Pebble Beach on the simulator after work.
The golf team is packed with experience of the Cypriot market and has a clear vision. I have no doubt the course, club and resort will be a great success. Andrew and Nicole were generous with their time and open to questions. Keep that going, and they'll do very well.
Conclusion
I think Limassol Greens will be a fantastic addition to the roster of Cyprus courses.
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