The town of Ihtiman lies 55km to the southeast of Sofia, in lowland of the same name. The town is surrounded by mountains on all sides, which creates а specific microclimate of temperature inversions and extremely cold winters. The town is a starting point for hikes in the Ihtiman ridge of the Sredna Gora Mountain. A lot of villages are scattered to the west of the town, while 15km away from Ihtiman lies the upper end of the Iskar dam – a preferred place for local fishermen.
Ihtiman had never been a very popular tourist centre until recently when it became very popular for its 18-hole golf course with a Par 71 rating. British experts and Spanish architects have designed and set up the course. The course and the surrounding complex, named Hotel and Country Club Air Sofia, provides a good choice of sports and leisure activities including horse riding, tennis (on dustless synthetic courts), football on a full-size grass pitch, volleyball, basketball, squash, bowling, table tennis and swimming (in two pools). The complex also has several bars, a restaurant with local and continental cuisine, a 3-star hotel and several villas each with kitchenette, spacious sitting rooms and fireplaces.
The owner Lilian Todorov started this club in June 2000 as a means for him and the 15 other avid golfers to come together and play. The number of golfers in Bulgaria since the club's inception has nearly quadrupled. This increase has come from all quarters: Bulgarians, expats, men, women, even children. In fact, it has become so popular that the course got a recent facelift and now encompasses 5335 metres (5836 yards) while keeping it's par at 71.
Air Sofia plays host to up to 40 tournaments a year, including this year, for the first time a night golf tournament. This tournament took place on Saturday night, July 17. Tee time was 9.30 pm. A total of 20 people participated with teams of two being formed and competing against one another. The participants ranged from a 12-year-old girl to a 60- year-old man. The format of the competition was best ball. Todorov and his female playing partner took home the trophy. The event was such a success that other, similar events are being planned for in the future.
The next tournament is scheduled for the first weekend in August, the Bulgarian National Cup. It will crown a Bulgarian champion and an overall champion. The people behind Air Sofia are extremely proud and excited about it playing host to the Ryder Cup of Bulgaria, which will take place September 11 and 12. This contest will feature an American team taking on a team from Europe. Unlike the "official" Ryder Cup, which takes place every other year, this event is held annually.
During the winter months, Air Sofia does not sit idly by. In fact, every winter they stage a winter tournament. Air Sofia is more golf course than country club, however it is not limited to only golf. One can use their pool, basketball courts, horse stables, tennis courts, and football pitch. There are also three existing villas alongside the course, with plans to align the course with 18 total villas, one for each hole.
The current green fee at Air Sofia is 50 leva, the use of a buggy 25 leva. The fees at the new courses, after the three-month trial period, will be roughly the same. Of course, for extremely avid golfers, yearly memberships can be purchased. These offer discounts, and the use of their driving range for free.