Building work is set to begin on the Belek Golf Club on the south coast of Turkey later this year.

Scheduled to open in 2012, the resort includes a championship course designed by Spanish legend José Maria Olazábal and a luxury hotel managed by Norgra Hotel Management.

There will also be a luxury residential development at the resort, with the aim of attracting a number of high profile tenants. England football stars Michael Owen and David Platt, as well as Austrian Alpine ski racing legend Marc Girardelli, are among those who will own homes at Belek.

The residential development, which is fed by water flowing from the Taurus Mountains, will feature a fully navigable 7km long canal system, also connecting lakes and streams on the golf course.

Other amenities include a town centre with shops, a range of dining opportunities and nightly live entertainment.

A wellness clinic offering spa and fitness programmes will be complemented by state-of-the-art preventative and anti-ageing medicine under the guidance of medical doctors.

Troon Golf, the golf management company whose portfolio of properties include Turnberry, Scotland, and The Grove, London, will manage operations and service at the golf club.

The resort has already secured its place as a future venue on the European Tour.

Hasan Besneli, chair of the board of Belek Golf Club, said: "Our partnership with The European Tour is significant as it guarantees our residents, hotel guests and golfing visitors outstanding facilities and levels of service, positioning Belek Golf Club among the world's finest golf clubs.

"José Maria Olazábal, who has taken a close personal interest in this project, has designed a remarkable golf course that will be a fitting venue for a European Tour event, and a compelling, enjoyable course that all golfers will want to play time and again."

Jonathan Orr, finance director for The European Tour, added: "The development of our Property network is a major strategic objective for the European Tour and we are delighted to secure a partnership with Belek Golf Club, as we believe that it has all the ingredients to become an important strategic partner in a region of exciting potential."