It was on the second green of the Bay course at Costa Navarino that I lost my heart entirely to this magical golf resort and to Greece in general. The country had never been on the radar of golfers as it had very few golf courses and none of any significance. But Costa Navarino changed all that. Opened to international acclaim in more recent times, this heavenly resort has two great courses the Bernhard Langer designed Dunes layout and the said Bay course designed by Robert Trent Jones II.
Standing on the green of the par 5 2nd at the Bay course, I gazed out across the huge expanse of beautiful, tranquil, turquoise blue water that is Navarino Bay. The Bay is almost completely encircled by land, the mainland where we were playing golf and several islands on the far side. At the point where the waters of the Bay flowed into the Ionian Sea, there were a few large rocks jutting out maybe 50 yards from the last island where some classy person had moored a proper yacht i.e. one with a large sail, not the kind of motorised giants beloved by Russian oligarchs and American technology tycoons.
It was absolutely perfect and I realised that I could very happily live, and golf, here for the rest of my days. Located in the Greek region of Messinia some 300 kilometres southwest of Athens, the resort is the vision of one Captain Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos, a native who was one of the first environmental activists in Greece. Having created one of the largest container ship companies in the world after a 21-year career as a seaman, Captain Vassilis began acquiring land in the Navarino Bay area back in 1982. His vision was for a bold and forward-looking development of high-end sustainable accommodation and facilities that would allow guests from all over the world to explore the natural beauty, history and traditions of his native Messinia, while at the same time creating jobs that would enable Messinians to stay in their homeland.
Denne historien er fra June 2022-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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Denne historien er fra June 2022-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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PLAYING ALONG THE LINES
ClearPath Alignment now adorns the latest TaylorMade TP5 and TP5x Stripe golf balls.
NG CONTINUES TO BLAZE A TRAIL
Sydnie Ng's victory in the Singapore Junior Masters B Division Girls boosts her potential.
DESCENTE ON THE ASCENT
Descente and FILA Golf gives the renovated The Shop at Laguna National Golf Resort Club a trendy boost.
DIVINE PLEASURES FOR A CAUSE
Christian media ministry TWR Asia finds charitable connections through golf.
TO "D" OR NOT TO "D"?
If you chose “D”, you are right and you would be joining millions of people around the world who are choosing “D” as the one necessary supplement they must include in their daily diet.
QUOTIDIAN LUXURY
Audi's new Q4 e-tron offers everyday comfort and performance through sustainable rides.
A RACE LIKE NO OTHER
Join us as we take a front row seat at Le Mans, one of the greatest races in the world, followed by an exclusive tour of Ferrari's automated factory in Maranello, Italy.
CELEBRATING THE MODERN WOMAN
Patek Philippe's Twenty-4 collection has come a long way since its inception at the turn of the millennium, and this year's anniversary edition is a sign of the times.
THE PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP
Dragon Golf International offers its members in Singapore with access to top courses around the world. Founder and Managing Director Neil Douglas talks about why it may be the answer to the future of golf travel.
THE LURE OF THE LAKESIDE
Banyan Group's massive new undertaking in Phuket rides on soaring international demand for homes on the island
