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DESTINATIONS: Costa Navarino
Destinations
Offering an outstanding combination of world-class golf, five-star accommodation and numerous leisure and lifestyle facilities, Costa Navarino has quickly risen to be regarded as one of the world’s elite luxury golfing venues.
And the Mediterranean’s prime sustainable destination has taken its status to new heights this spring with the eagerly anticipated opening of Costa Navarino’s new 36-hole Navarino Hills golf development, as well as announcing the opening of two new five-star hotels in the next 12 months. Furthering Greece’s association with The Olympics, the world’s first International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the neighbouring Hills Course were officially unveiled to the golfing world in February alongside the new Hills Clubhouse – marking a new era for the venue and the arrival of Europe’s newest golf destination. Designed by two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal, the two layouts provide the ideal complement to Costa Navarino’s two existing signature golf courses – The Dunes Course (designed by Bernhard Langer in association with European Golf Design) and The Bay Course (created by Robert Trent Jones Jr.) Costa
THE DUNES
Navarino’s guests can now enjoy the challenge of four signature golf courses within a 13km maximum distance. Situated in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese and a short and scenic drive from Kalamata airport, Costa Navarino opened in 2010 – fulfilling a lifelong ambition of its founder, shipping magnate and keen environmentalist Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, to create a sustainable tourism development in his home region of Messinia. Launched in partnership with the International Olympic Academy and the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the new International Olympic Academy Course benefits from having over half its holes along the ridge of the hill overlooking the Bay of Navarino. Measuring 6,366m, the par-72 layout features two distinctly different nines. While the front nine wanders through old olive groves in typical Greek landscape, the back nine plays along the edge of the cliff and provides spectacular sea views. In contrast, The Hills Course is perhaps best described as a scenic golf journey through nature. The undulating course fits seamlessly into the land and, along the way, passes old olive trees, ancient rock walls and stunning ravines that carve deep into the Kinigou Hills. The 18 holes offer a good balance and variety. Additionally, myriad strategic options await you and provide a good test for creativity and course management. In addition, the new Navarino Hills golf facilities also feature a 60bay driving range and a 15,000m² short game area, with the new clubhouse at Navarino Hills also opening at the same time. As you would expect, there’s plenty to do away from the fairways with the quality of golf matched by the high standard of Costa Navarino’s leisure and lifestyle facilities, and further exciting developments are on the way with the opening of two more luxury resorts by spring 2023. With an abundance of leisure, sports and wellness, as well as dining and authentic local experiences, Costa Navarino is now more than ever – a truly allencompassing golf destination, paying homage to its natural beauty and cultural heritage. www.costanavarino.com
