Sun, lush nature with centuries-old olive trees and verdant hills, complemented by spectacular sea views under cloudless September skies, provided the enticing backdrops as 240 professionals and amateurs from across the world headed to Costa Navarino for the Aegean Messinia Pro-Am.
Europe’s newest golf destination welcomed 60 teams from 23 countries for the international event from September 13-17, the biggest tournament in Costa Navarino’s annual golfing calendar, sanctioned by the Confederation of Professional Golf and supported by the Hellenic Golf Federation and the PGA of Greece.
The participants had the opportunity to play golf on three of the destination’s signature courses – The Dunes Course, The Bay Course and the International Olympic Academy Golf Course, each presenting a different challenge – while enjoying a wealth of memorable experiences.
After some noteworthy individual and team performances, PGA of Great Britain & Ireland professional Liam Bond took the top professional honours in the 54-hole event with a winning score of 201 (13-under par), including an impressive new course record of 62 at the Bay Course.
Bond said: “I’m really excited to win this event, which is the best pro-am on our calendar in Europe and we’re looked after so well.
“The golf courses are immaculate, and the players will all agree that they are some of the finest courses in the world. I enjoyed The Bay Course the most with my course record round, so nine under par around there was really nice to achieve.”
Following three days of fierce competition, the Team Pro-Am event was won by the Team Yamaç with a total of 283 points, seven points clear of the nearest rivals.
Off the course, the Aegean Messinia Pro-Am also offered the chance for players to rekindle old friendships, and forge new ones, through a rich and engaging program of social events. As part of the varied schedule, players and guests enjoyed sunset views over the historic bay of Navarino from The Hills Clubhouse at Navarino Hills during a ‘Friday Night Fever’-themed dinner and party, where they danced the night away to 70s and 80s hits. The Pro-Am was then brought to a fitting finale at the ‘Par-Tee on the Beach’ dinner and prize-giving event at Between, located at the vibrant W Costa Navarino. The evening was co-hosted by BBC TV sports presenter Katherine Downes and Ian Randell, chief executive of the Confederation of Professional Golf, and featured live music.
Title sponsor and official air carrier: AEGEAN. Airbus and Athens International Airport were the event’s gold sponsors, Volvo-VELMAR sponsored the ‘Hole-in-one’ trophy, while Alpha Private Bank, Aercap, Kyvernitis and Korres supported as silver sponsors. Coca Cola 3E, Pratt & Whitney and International Aero Engines, Vodafone Business, Cenergy Holdings & TEKA Systems, Taylormade and AutoHellas-Hertz were the tournament’s bronze sponsors. Other supporters included Jose Cuervo and Fever Tree by Amvyx, Kokotos Estate, My Transfer, Athi Rodi, and Vourakis who crafted the trophies.
For highlights of the Aegean Messinia Pro-Am, please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYHDF5tG5b4