Two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal was at the official launch of the two 18-hole courses he is currently designing at Costa Navarino in Greece.
The two par-72 layouts, which are set high above the coastline, and offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Ionian Sea, are expected to open for play by 2021.
The courses at Navarino Hills will further enhance the golf offering at the destination, bringing the total number of courses at Costa Navarino to four, all within a 13km distance of each other.
During a recent visit to the site where development is currently underway, Olazábal said: “To have the opportunity to design two new courses on the spectacular Navarino Hills property fills me with pride. The landscape is simply breathtaking and we see it as our foremost responsibility to create courses that will fit seamlessly into the environment. We still have some way to go before Opening but I look forward to that day with great excitement.”
Stephanos Theodorides, managing director of Panorama, owners and developers of the Navarino Hills site, welcomed Olazábal back at Costa Navarino: “Today marks a milestone in the development of Navarino Hills. We are excited to introduce the new golf development that will firmly position Costa Navarino among the top sustainable golf destinations globally and introduce the region of Messinia to golf enthusiasts from around the world. We have a common vision with José María Olazábal, having placed sustainable practices at the heart of the project and we look forward to the next steps of what is shaping to be a unique project, reflecting the high standards and quality of Costa Navarino”.
The milestone moment at Navarino Hills came shortly after the recent announcement by TEMES – the developers of Costa Navarino, about the new partnership with Consillium S.A., in line with its strategy to further develop the golf component of the destination. The agreement refers to a 50/50 joint venture between one of TEMES Group’s subsidiaries Panorama S.A., and one of investment companies managed by cfor the ownership and development of the Navarino Hills site and the ownership and operation of The Dunes Course. The destination already features two luxury hotels, private residences and two signature golf courses.