As with most local businesses, Minthis Golf Club felt an impact during the recent global pandemic, as our golf operations were temporarily suspended. During this time, our team took the opportunity to forge ahead and continue their hard-working efforts, demonstrating our commitment to offer the very best golf experience possible at Minthis. Course Manager Chris Furneaux and his green-keeping team continued to maintain the golf course during the quarantine period, carefully adhering to all stipulated restrictions and guidelines. Thanks to the ‘non-playing’ period they were able to concentrate and make excellent progress on numerous details, such as erosion and re-vegetation repairs from the unusual winter weather conditions, as well as applying enhancing treatments to all turf grass and landscaped areas.
Despite the recent challenges, we are delighted to announce that Minthis is in the exceptional position to continue with the planned second and final phase of the greens upgrade this year. Cyprus has become renowned for its highly efficient way of dealing with the pandemic, leading to excellent epidemiological data and the resumption of business including international air traffic at early stages. The lockdown restrictions nevertheless affected the start date of our project, which has been delayed due to the fact that the specialist team and their equipment are coming from the UK.
Work on the remaining eight greens complexes and putting greens started at the beginning of July and the company is committed to finish works this year, so that 18-holes can reopen with brand new greens in spring 2021.
Minthis Golf Course Architect Tom Mackenzie, of Mackenzie & Ebert, redesigned the remaining clay push-up greens and surrounding areas, which will be rebuilt to conform to modern sand based USGA specification standards. Work will be carried out once again by 1st Golf Construction Ltd, who successfully completed the first phase of the project on schedule in October 2019. While nine holes are closed for play, we will also take the opportunity to re-lay the buggy paths and to re-line the lake of the island green, Minthis’ unique signature hole, with fresh membrane.
During this period, the golf course will remain operational with the same 9 holes, played twice from two different tees. Our members and walk-in clients can continue to book directly at Minthis Golf Club. Any pre-arranged holiday bookings will be transferred to our neighboring courses in close cooperation with our partners.
We are also pleased to announce the completion of the beautifully remodeled irrigation lake. It was completed as soon as construction work was allowed to resume in May and it has now doubled in capacity to 3800m3. With this enhancement, we are able to store enough grey water and recycled rainwater to maintain and water the golf course all year round. In addition, the control system for our pump station has been replaced with the innovative Grundfos MPC control panel to ensure a steadier sprinkler flow, leading to improved grass health and a more consistent playing surface. The new irrigation lake and system not only save water, it is also a great feature of the golf course. Bordered with a local quarried stone, boulder wall and surrounded by locally sourced, drought tolerant plants and grasses, it reflects the philosophy of our sustainable golf course and we look forward to welcoming new wildlife in that area. Moreover, further native, out of play grass areas have been identified and will be left to grow naturally in order to protect and enhance the existing nature at the resort.
Valuing the excellent relationship we have retained with our partners for over 25 years, we would like to assure our partners of our ongoing support and we will regularly update them on the development at Minthis Golf Club.
As always, we will be offering uplifting customer service and we are wholeheartedly looking forward to welcoming our partners and visitors soon to the new Minthis experience, with 18 brand new greens and five practice greens built to USGA specifications. These together, with the spectacular new holes and course layout, as well as the improved practice facilities and sustainably enhanced detailing throughout the golf course, will ensure that Minthis Golf Club is as a highlight in the golfing world.
ENDS
Perched on a tranquil hilltop among five million square metres of breathtakingly beautiful protected Cypriot landscape lies Minthis. From award-winning luxury residences, villas and suites conceived by world-renowned architects Woods Bagot; to golf, fine dining, wellness, nature and adventure pathways, this authentic residential retreat redefines holistic living.
As part of Natura 2000 site, nature is an ever-present element and Minthis was recently the first golf course in Cyprus to be awarded with a GEO Certification, an accolade that recognises the eco-friendly sustainable approach and our commitment to nature, resource conservation and community value.
The 18-hole championship golf course moulds itself to the landscape, passing walnut and fig trees, olive groves and the historic 12th century monastery. It is a beautiful and demanding course for all seasons with breathtaking views of the Troodos Mountains and beyond. Designed by legendary golf architect Donald Steel in 1994 and renovated by renowned course designers Mackenzie & Ebert, the course is a flawless example of their philosophy that golf courses should fit into the terrain, be in keeping with their setting and focus on the details.