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2017 Summer Deaflympics - Samsun Site Inspection Report – 8-10 Feb 2017 Gavin Balharrie – ICSD TD Golf Page 1 of 10 With thanks to the World Deaf Golf Federation who nominated myself to be Technical Director for ICSD for the 4 year period including the 2017 Summer Deaflympics at Samsun, Turkey. After the initial site inspection in July 2016 was postponed, it was arranged with the Organising Committee to visit Samsun on 8-10 February 2017. After a good flight from Melbourne, Australia – I was met at Samsun Airport by representatives of the organising committee and taken to hotel. The next morning, I was met by the Organising Committee and taken to the Samsun Golf Club for an initial inspection of the course and meeting members of the Golf Club management team. An inspection of the clubhouse and golf course was undertaken (photos attached end of this report). Following this, I was then taken the Organising Committee offices to meet the staff. The next day, I went back to Samsun Golf Club for a detailed course inspection, followed by a meeting at the Organising Committee offices to wrap up the inspection and confirm the timeline for the next few months. I was then taken on a tour of several venues and the University where most teams will be staying. Several venues are being built for the Deaflympics and will be a great legacy for Samsun. The golf course is quite established as was only open for 1 year and with 4-5 months more grass growing it will be ready for the Deaflympics. The second 9 holes is unfortunately not going to be ready for play by the Deaflympics. All tees (with exception of 4 th tee which is being reconstructed – will be ready by July 2017) and greens are of good quality. Fairways are well grassed, with a few spots here and there which will be filled in between now and July 2017. I found the design of the golf course to be of good architectural design with a good blend of lengths of par 3s, par 4s and par 5s, and very similar to many Scottish golf links courses. I believe it will be a great course for the matchplay part of the golf event. Taking into mind we will be playing 9 holes twice each day, we will set up the course in that we have two different tees to give different lengths for both front and back nines but pin locations will remain the same (Pins will change each day). The Clubhouse is of good quality with café / restaurant / bar facilities, outdoor terraces, and players will be provided with two lockers – a large on for golf bags (large lockers) and one for clothing in the bathrooms. There will be warm up, massage, medical and anti-doping rooms allocated. Photos of these is provided at end of this report. There is a large 240m practice fairway with sheltered bays, grass bays. Chipping and bunkers available. Large putting green available also. Golf course is central Samsun close to all hotels and the university where most country teams are expected to reside at, is approx. 20-25 mins drive away. Practice on the course will be available for up to a week prior to the Opening Ceremony, but tee times must be booked with the Samsun Golf Club. Practice fairway, greens and putting will be available for up to a week prior to the Opening Ceremony, and free practice balls will be provided. The golf course will be fully closed to the public for the full duration of the Deaflympics golf event. The Official Golf Schedule likely to be confirmed as being 6 days starting on Friday 21 st July 2017 and completing on Wednesday 26 th July 2017. This will give golfers at least 2 days of practice between the Opening of the Deaflympics and the First Day of Competition.
