Cahit Sahin with Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour

Can you tell us about the golf course and the challenges it will present the players?

The course is relatively new, set in a pine forest on a pure sand ridge and looks far more mature than its youth suggests. The design is very much based on one of Monty’s favourite courses, Pine Valley, and features waste areas which the players must strategically plot their way around. Even though the layout is not especially long, it boasts expansive green complexes with some decent internal movement that we are aiming to get hard and fast for the event, and the rough will be deeper than usual to test each and every player. We have narrowed several of the fairways and brought water hazards into play. You can be sure we will have an interesting variety of challenging pin positions during the week.

Is Monty still involved in any questions regarding the course?

Monty visited last year for a two week holiday in one of our Maxx Royal villas. He played a couple of rounds and made several suggestions on how we could make the course more enjoyable for our guests and play better for the tournament. His knowledge on the game is second to none and we all look forward to seeing him compete at the tournament and revel in the surroundings of his work.

What sets the Maxx Royal apart from all of the other venues on the European Tour?

The players will be treated to the finest in Turkish hospitality and luxury facilities during their stay at the Maxx Royal. What sets us apart is that everything is on site – from the golf course, to the hotel and leisure facilities - allowing the players spend less time travelling around and more time preparing on the course, and relaxing off it. As we cater for guests of all ages here at the Maxx Royal, we expect a number of the players to bring their families, who will be able to enjoy the wealth of leisure, entertainment and dining options on offer.

Are you planning any additional events around the tournament to showcase the Maxx Royal?

Yes, we have a number of fun and exciting events planned throughout the tournament week, which aim to further build awareness of everything that the Maxx Royal has to offer on a global stage. On the Wednesday evening, we will be staging a unique PR stunt where a number of leading players will be hitting shots from the upper level of the hotel, towards a selection of targets in the pool below. This will be a fantastic extravaganza to launch the tournament. Then on the Saturday, course designer Colin Montgomerie will be hosting an exclusive barbeque for select guests and dignitaries to further build the association between Colin and his masterpiece design.

Finally, who do you think will be the first winner of the Turkish Airlines Open?

Obviously I would love to see one of the headline players, such as Tiger or Stenson take the title, but whoever comes out on top will have to have their distance control and accuracy well under control – so do not be surprised if someone like Justin Rose or Louis Oosthuizen comes out on top come Sunday afternoon.

Click through the images below for a closer look at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal