Top new course opens in Greece

Troon Golf, the world’s largest luxury-brand golf management, development and marketing company, has announced the grand opening of the first signature golf course in Greece.

The Dunes Course in Navarino Dunes, the first integrated resort at Costa Navarino (www.costanavarino.com) stretching over 130 hectares of breathtaking beachfront landscape, has been designed by two-time Masters Champion and Ryder Cup winning captain Bernhard Langer in partnership with European Golf Design.

The new resort has caught the headlines in recent months as many point to the significance of a course of this magnitude in Greece.

“I’m thrilled to have had this opportunity to design the golf course at Navarino Dunes and I believe we have built something really very special.

“I know that many people from Germany have already discovered this hidden but beautiful corner of mainland Greece and I’m sure that, with the opening of the Navarino Dunes Resort, many more from all over the world will be drawn to this area and our new golf course” said former Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer.

Located in Messinia, southwest Peloponnese, The Dunes Course opened alongside The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort on May 20th. Soon to follow is the opening of the second five–star hotel at Navarino Dunes, The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino.

The Dunes Course, the first of two championship courses at Costa Navarino, was completed some 12 months ago allowing it to fully mature ahead of play.

The stunning views of the Ionian Sea are particularly enjoyable on the links-inspired holes, where tall sand dunes divide holes to an adjacent golden beach.  Moving further inland the course evolves to fit the Messinian surroundings of olive and citrus groves.

The Par 72 championship layout features wide fairways, pot-bunkers, rolling greens, and memorable aesthetics for an unforgettable experience for all standards of golfer.

The on–course amenities at Navarino Dunes include an extensive Clubhouse with stunning views offering dining and banquet facilities and a fully equipped shop.

Ross McMurray of European Golf Design, who led the design team, commented: “The inspiration for The Dunes Course was its spectacular location. It is one of the most beautiful places you could be asked to design a golf course and frankly the waterfront views are just breathtaking.

“Our objective was to create a course which would not only compliment this wonderful setting but would set a benchmark in its own right for quality and high standards, in order to attract the attention of a golfing public who may not previously have considered coming to Greece.”

Achilles Constantakopoulos, Managing Director of TEMES, the owning company added: “The Dunes Course is the first step to realising our goal of developing a new golf destination in this undiscovered, authentic and historical area.

“We look forward to welcoming golfers from all over the world, starting with the 5th Aegean Airlines Pro-Am in June when 196 players from 14 countries will be participating.”  

With future plans, including The Bay Course designed by Robert Trent Jones II on the historic bay of Navarino in the immediate vicinity of The Dunes Course and due to be completed in early 2011,

Costa Navarino is set to establish itself as an iconic destination among discerning travellers and golfers alike.