A Mediterranean oasis may yet turn this cricket tragic into a golf aficionado

THROUGHOUT history, cities materialise at the nexus of geography, strategy, and vision.

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Few places exemplify this phenomenon as strikingly as Antalya, the jewel of Türkiye's southwestern coast, whose origins can be traced back to the ambitious vision of King Attalos II of Pergamon.

During the Hellenistic period in 159-138 BC, Attalos famously commanded his soldiers to, "go and find me heaven on earth," a quest that would lead to the foundation of one of the most splendid cities with a vibrant tapestry woven from its rich history.

It is here where I find myself, under the sun-soaked skies of this splendid Mediterranean oasis, for the next week. I have been here before, back in late November 2023, when I covered the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup for Amateurs, which was played at the Gloria Golf resort. But this week the stakes are significantly higher.