How Costa Navarino Has Become One Of Europe's Hottest Golf Destinations

A Greek masterpiece: Jose Maria Olazabal leaves his mark at Costa Navarino

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Costa Navarino in Greece is further improving its golf offering with two new layouts by José Maria Olazábal. Europe’s newest golf destination has well and truly arrived, with golfers soon being able to enjoy four 18-hole golf courses and four hotels within a 13km distance.

The two new courses officially open in February 2022. But one of them, the International Olympic Academy Golf Course, was first played over during the Messinia Pro Am in November. This popular annual event attracted teams from 20 countries. Laid out overlooking the Bay of Navarino, the International Olympic Course measures 7,071 yards.

The two new courses have different characteristics, as their designer explains: “The International Olympic Academy Golf Course has stunning views over the Bay of Navarino and is the longer and tougher of the two. It’s more compact and, in style, a bit posher than the Hills Course which has a more rural feel and takes you into the outback where you can enjoy a stroll in beautiful nature.” The Hills Course measures 6,868 yards.

Olazábal is “thrilled" with how good the two courses are looking ahead of opening. He said: "The setting at Navarino Hills is one of the most spectacular that I have seen – the characteristics of the site are wonderful for golf. To me, it does not matter whether a course is extra tough or easy or long or short – what is important is that golfers have a great time. For that to happen, the course has to be fair and also has to fit seamlessly into the surroundings so that it creates this special ambience.”

Golf architects are often reluctant to single out individual holes for praise and Olazábal is no different – “I think they all have their own little personality” – before conceding that “of course, a few will be talked about more than others. On the International Olympic Academy Golf Course, the 12th and 16th holes are two beautiful but challenging par threes with great views over the bay. Holes 10 and 15 will also get some attention. On the Hills Course, I would say the 6th, a downhill par five, stands out as well as the stretch from the 14th to the 17th.”

These courses will be served by a clubhouse built using local stone materials with the aims of achieving class A+ in energy efficiency. When they open in February 2022, the Navarino Hills golf facilities will include a driving range and a 15,000m² short game area.

Another augmentation to the sporting facilities at Costa Navarino came this summer with the Mouratoglou Tennis Center. The Mouratoglou coaches deliver a one-of-a-kind experience to tennis fans and the international tennis community within state-of-the-art facilities.

Costa Navarino was the brainchild of the late Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, who grew up in the region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese, and made a fortune in shipping. It was conceived, in large part, to ensure the people of his home region have employment to allow them to remain in the area, and to preserve the local culture and landscape.

Costa Navarino is one of the most unspoiled and breathtaking seaside landscapes in the Mediterranean. The Costa Navarino philosophy, as passed down by the Captain, as he is universally known, is driven by a desire to promote Messinia, while protecting and preserving its natural beauty and heritage.

Sustainability is at the core of this. Costa Navarino adheres to strict environmental protection guidelines and management principles, recognising the significant contribution of a pristine natural environment to the development of a sustainable tourism product.

One significant example of this approach is the Navarino Environmental Observatory, in which Stockholm University, the Academy of Athens and TEMES – the developers of Costa Navarino – have joined forces to establish a research and education hub dedicated on the climate and environment in the Mediterranean region.

As part of Costa Navarino’s philosophy to promote the region’s heritage, guests are encouraged to discover the beauty and culture of Messinia, engage in traditional activities ranging from olive-oil and wine-making, to cooking traditional recipes with local women.

World Heritage List sites, including famous Olympia, Mystras and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius, as well as Ancient Messini, the Palace of Nestor and the marvellously preserved medieval town of Monemvasia, are all within driving distance.

The ever-expanding Costa Navarino is being developed across distinct sites. The first area is Navarino Dunes where the Dunes Course is. The Dunes has fine views overlooking the Ionian Sea and some highly enjoyable holes such as the 2nd, a par 4 which slides gently towards the sea. Navarino Dunes is also home to two five-star hotels, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino.

The Bay Course – located at the destination’s second area Navarino Bay – offers some gorgeous views as you traverse fairways which float down seawards or amble up the hillside. The 2nd is a cracking par 3 nestled alongside the shoreline, one of several magnificent short holes including two played over dramatic, deep valleys.

At Navarino Bay, an ultra-luxury resort is under construction and scheduled to open in 2023, alongside a lifestyle resort at the nearby Navarino Waterfront. Navarino Waterfront, due to open in summer 2022, is a 13-hectare lifestyle area, and will feature a hotel with 246 rooms, suites and bungalows. Adjacent, will be a contemporary take on a traditional port town including a ‘waterfront Agora’ – a marketplace of small entrepreneurs, hand-picked retailers and artisan food offerings as well as an open-air cinema.

Costa Navarino’s status as one of Europe’s finest golf destinations was recognised at the 2020 World Golf Awards when it was named the ‘World’s Best New Golf Development’ for its Navarino Hills project.

At these awards José Maria Olazábal was named as Golf Course Designer of the Year. He considers Costa Navarino to be “among the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It is a privilege to design the two new courses at such an extraordinary golf destination and I am proud to be a part of the Costa Navarino story.”

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