Panagiotis ‘Takis’ Gonias, who earned fame as one of Greece’s top professional footballers before later turning his talents to golf, died on June 24, aged 54, following a long battle with cancer.
A gifted attacking midfielder with a long professional career in Greece, where he played for Olympiacos, Iraklis, Panionios, and Paniliakos, his talents also took him abroad, where he played for Sporting Gijon in Spain and for Messina and Crotone in Italy. He later moved into coaching, working in both Greece and Egypt.
After retiring from football, Gonias pursued his other sporting passion – golf, and reached professional level with Glyfada Golf Club. He joined the PGA of Greece in 2008 and just last year was honoured with the Confederation of Professional Golf’s President’s Award for Golf Development.
Gonias was a strong advocate for golf’s crossover appeal, using his profile within Greek and international sport to act as an ambassador for the game. His efforts included promoting FootGolf in Greece, supporting Pro-Am initiatives, and encouraging athletes from other sports to engage with golf in a fun, accessible way.
Gonias’s passing is especially poignant this week, as the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am marks its 20th anniversary – an event he played in many times and was his first ever event as a PGA Professional.
Reflecting on what golf meant to him when receiving the CPG President’s Award last year, Gonias said: “Golf came into my life when I finished football, and it made me very happy. I had fantastic moments and met fantastic people. Only golf can give me this feeling.
“Golf and football have many things in common – you have to train, you have to think. But in golf you are alone, and that builds character and strength. The most important thing is to have fun. To finish a round and feel happy – that feeling makes people want to come back and helps the game grow.
Reflecting on Gonias’ impact on the game of golf, George Diakou, President of the PGA of Greece, said: “Takis has been an exceptional ambassador for golf in Greece. His background in professional football gave him a unique platform to introduce new audiences to the game, while his long-term support of the PGA of Greece and key initiatives has delivered real benefits for our members and the wider golf community.”