My first visit to mainland Greece was back in the day when Glyfada GC near Athens was the only golf course worth playing. I think the whole of Greece had a couple of golf professionals at the time, now there are almost 100 PGA members. With another new development due to be completed by Jack Nicklaus at PGA National Kilada in 2023 Greece is definitely on the upwards curve as a golfing destination.
I recently visited what will soon be the Number One golf resort in Europe at Costa Navarino on the South West coast, with the nearest airport of Kalamata just 40 mins from this stunning golf resort.
Here lies a four course golf resort with currently two magnificent hotels at The Westin Resort and The Romanos luxury collection next to each other and a superb collection of restaurants in between them. Two more equally special hotels are under construction near the new courses and The Dunes.
The latest addition to the existing Bay and Dunes courses are The Hills and The Olympic Academy courses. The latter is probably one of the most picturesque courses I have ever played. Move over Pebble Beach and play second fiddle to this Olazabal designed layout with views over The Bay of Navarino, scene of a decisive sea battle in 1827 which consolidated Greek independence.
Your days will be taken up playing these beautiful courses, carved out of the numerous olive groves on this Pelonoppese region of Greece, and your evenings choosing from the ten restaurants within the resort. Everywhere I dined I was bowled over by the food quality, service and friendliness, something rare these days to find all these ingredients working together!
My advice would be to stick with the drinks package of local wine and beers for a bargain rate per night of which are of a high standard house wine and excellent draught beers.
It’s a short taxi ride to the nearest authentic Greek towns if you fancy a meal out.
With the many different types of rooms on offer, including with your own private infinity pool, it is a hard resort to fault. Word is spreading fast with regular flights now from the UK with British Airways, Easyjet, Jet2 and RyanAir so get our skates on!
Nigel Burch
PGA Golf Professional
