Gary Player - The Legend

The Black Knight Opens Thracian Cliffs in Bulgaria

May 31, 2011 | Filed Under: Golf Course Design   

Global golf icon and leading golf course designer Gary Player will officially open Thracian Cliffs Golf & SPA in Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria on June 4th.  The Black Knight will join Bulgarian businessman and developer Krassimir Guergov, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov, celebrities, local politicians and businessmen, and the team from Thracian Cliffs for the Grand Opening celebrations.

Thracian Cliffs is the second Gary Player designed golf course in Cape Kaliakra (BlackSeaRama opened in July 2009).  It is set along the stunning cliffs overlooking the Black Sea and is one of the most spectacular designs in the global Gary Player Design Portfolio.  “I’ve been playing golf for 56 years and have never seen a site like this anywhere in the world.  I’ve never played on a golf course where you can see the ocean on every single hole.  It is truly incredible,” said Gary Player.

The golf course and resort were carefully designed to preserve the look and feel of the traditional local architecture while taking advantage of the natural beauty and characteristics of the seafront environment and the undeveloped splendor of Kaliakra National Park. 

The 18-hole championship golf course was sculptured by Player to fit perfectly into the dramatic Cliffside landscape.  “Thracian Cliffs is in many ways our most unique design to date,” said Marc Player CEO of Black Knight International.  “The Black Sea is visible from every hole and the white cliffs make for a visually stunning backdrop,” he added.

The golf course was designed with multiple tee locations providing an exceptional experience for all levels of golfer.  The Black or back tees, allows the course to be set up for championship play lengthening each hole and increasing the level of difficulty.  “The Black tees are tough,” said Gary Player.  “Krassi wants to bring a European PGA Tour event to Bulgaria so we had to design Thracian Cliffs and BlackSeaRama with that in mind, but also not make the courses too difficult for the higher handicappers.  The response from the players who participated in the Mercedes Cup (Bulgaria’s first amateur tournament) last week was very positive and I think we accomplished our goal.  I am really looking forward to playing the course now that it is completed,” he added.

The 8th hole has received a lot of attention and is sure to become recognized as one of Europe’s best.  The tee sits atop a cliff with the green set some 40 metres below, cut into the hillside and surrounded by the Black Sea. The hole measures over 220 metres from the Black tees and is an imposing and dangerous shot.

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