Corendon Airlines, the Turkish leisure airline headquartered in Antalya, is making gains in European golf tourism thanks to its sponsorship of a fast-growing amateur event that showcases some of the best golf courses in Belek.
The Corendon Airlines Race to Belek Series is now in its second year and offers UK golf club members the opportunity to enter regional heats and win a place in its grand final held at Gloria Hotels and Resorts from October 4-9, 2026.
More than 1800 club members entered nine strokeplay qualifiers at venues across the UK, from Swaffham Golf Club, Norfolk, to Newmacher Golf Club in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The winners earned an all-inclusive week-long golf holiday hosted by event partners Gloria Hotels and Resorts and luxury travel tour operator Kaden Group, and tee-times in the Grand Final over the Old Course at Gloria Golf Resort, one of the best-loved and highly ranked courses in the Belek Region.
Global Golfer spent tournament week in Belek as an invited media partner, playing the Old and New courses and staying at Gloria Golf Resort, one of three resorts that make up a world-class leisure, golf and wellness destination. The Gloria Serenity Resort, Gloria Golf and Gloria Verde each span private beachfront locations with access to the Mediterranean Sea and 45 holes of golf inland among pine and eucalyptus trees at Gloria Golf Club.
Olwen Davies from Crewe Golf Club in Cheshire won through to the Race to Belek Series grand final with a nett 59, only weeks after joining the club.
“It’s unbelievable, I can’t believe that winning one club competition has landed me this amazing trip to Turkey. I wasn’t even planning on playing that day, I thought I’d just play for fun with my husband Mike but at the last minute decided to pay £4 and enter the medal.
I hit it so straight, holed a lot of putts, and now we’re both here in Belek with great people at an incredible resort,” said Olwen.
Matthew Carpenter, UK country manager for Corendon Airlines, told Global Golfer that golf tourism is important to the airlines continued expansion and will build on its existing reputation and market positioning as a ‘holiday airline.’
Corendon Airlines was established in 2005 in the Netherlands by Dutch and Turkish owners and now operates direct flights to 165 airports in 65 countries, servicing 6 million passengers annually.
Its profile has rocketed since signing a deal to be the front of shirt sponsor for newly promoted Hull City AFC in the English Premier League, increasing global TV exposure and brand awareness.
Carpenter also hopes Corendon can become known as a leading choice airline for UK golfers travelling to Turkey to play any of the 17 courses and circa 300 holes that are located within a 17km coastal strip at the foot of the Taurus mountains.
Deniz Gurlesan, managing director of Kaden Group of Travel Companies, said: “Belek is a world class golf destination and Turkey has proven itself to be a global leader in premium hospitality, all-inclusive resorts and championship standard golf courses.
This event is an important bridge between Turkey and golf tourists in the UK, and we aim to grow its profile and status as one the must-play amateur golf events for club members.”
The Race to Belek Series returns to the UK in 2027 with plans to roll out more dates and regional qualifying venues. To enter the tournament in 2027, visit: https://racetobelek.com/
Who won the 2026 Race to Belek Grand Final?
Full scores and event round up to follow.
Look out for our review of Gloria Golf Resort and the Old and New Courses.