Golf is family for Turkish Airlines says Ibrahim Guntay

15 October 2019: The Turkish Airlines Open in November is a prestigious stop on the European Tour with a select field of top golfers descending on Antalya for this annual event. Golfing Indian caught up with Ibrahim Hakki Guntay, the general manager for west and south in India about the relationship of his organisation with golf and what it means to host this tournament annually.

Your association with golf has delivered some excellent memories for people travelling to Turkey. Besides showcasing your airline and country in the best possible light, how has this partnership helped you shape conversations in Turkey?

• Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup is the first of its kind and the world’s largest and most comprehensive corporate amateur golf series with over 8,000 participants. In its first year, the finals of Turkish Airlines World Gold Cup and the Turkish Airlines Open were both held in Antalya, simultaneously. Through this esteemed property, Turkish Airlines has gained recognition as a permanent supporter of the sport, in Turkey as well as abroad, showing its unwavering commitment through professional and amateur sponsorship. Turkish Airlines’ involvement in the sport directly translates into its image as a member of the golf community. This resonates and speaks to its participants – both from the sport’s biggest names to weekend players – a transparent indication of the airline’s firm commitment to the sport.

2. Why do you think golf is one of the best ways to connect with your customers and other stakeholders?

• Golf is a truly global sport that is played by over 80 million people around the world, providing the company with a platform to engage with existing and new enthusiasts in many of our key markets. We at Turkish Airlines see golf as an important element to support sports activities through the company’s wide network worldwide. Furthermore, golf is also one of the sports that are being supported by Turkish tourism authorities to promote tourism in Turkey, in line with the country’s 2023 ambitions of welcoming 50 million tourists to country. 

3. How is golf growing in Turkey? Are young people taking to the game?

• Today, Turkey has nearly 25 international level golf courses and Golf as a sport has become an integral part of people’s lives. Junior golfers in Turkey comprise approximately 45% of all registered golfers which is the largest proportion of junior golfers in Europe. In 2006, Turkey launched the Junior Golf League to promote growth in the game amongst juniors. Currently, there are 250 juniors competing in the league of which some are selected to play for the Turkish National Team. Among other initiatives to introduce locals to the sport, many clubs, in conjunction with the Federation, loan equipment and offer free coaching by a golf professional. Over the coming years Turkish Airlines, together with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish Golf Federation, is committed to continuing the drive towards Turkey becoming one of the most desirable golf destinations in the world.

4. What has been the contribution of Turkish Airlines to the growth of the game in the region?

• Turkish Airlines with its signature property – The Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup Turkish Airlines has garnered tremendous acknowledgement as a permanent supporter of Golf through the tournaments year-after-year. The tournament has hosted esteemed guests across Africa, Asia, North and South America, Europe and Middle East participate in large numbers. Thus far, we have had thousands of participants and the number has seen an upward trend since the launch of the tournament. Throughout the tournament, guests play and network on the world’s most high-profile golf courses. In 2019, the tournament was hosted across lush green golf courses across Istanbul, New York, Stockholm, Berlin and Mauritius.  Flying to more than 300 destinations in 126 countries worldwide, Turkish Airlines has been hosting many tournaments through its wide network, and considering the future, we look forward to exploring other destinations as well.

 Publication: Golfing India