Discovering Golf In Greece: Costa Navarino.
/When it comes to golf destinations, Greece might not be the first place that springs to your mind. Yet, hidden along the tranquil shores of Messinia, on the pristine southwest coast of the Peloponnese, Costa Navarino has transformed golf in Greece and captivated the hearts of golf enthusiasts worldwide.
A Journey Beyond Expectations
Greece has long been known for its stunning Mediterranean landscapes, ancient history, and delectable cuisine. Golf, however, was not a part of its appeal until the inception of Costa Navarino in 2010, when this exceptional destination opened its gates, beckoning travellers to experience something truly extraordinary. Initially, it boasted two opulent five-star resorts, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, along with its inaugural golf course, The Dunes Course. Shortly after, in 2011, The Bay Course was added to its golfing repertoire. Today, this luxury golf haven features a further two five star resorts, the vibrant lifestyle retreat W Costa Navarino and the newly unveiled Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino. as well as two additional course at Navarino Hills.
On The Tee at Costa Navarino
Our group had the pleasure of staying at the W Costa Navarino nestled right on the beachfront of Navarino Bay and we were spellbound from the very moment we entered the lobby. As our vision took in the magnificent pools and the sweeping azure vistas of Navarino Bay, we knew we were in for something truly special. We were captivated by the angular low-rise stone architecture, as well as the inviting modern, open interiors. The extensive use of natural materials continued in our beautifully designed and spacious rooms, all with sea-views. Even the breakfast concept was unique with the tables set-up outdoors in the village square and each morning we selected our breakfast from the shops surrounding the square - the bakery, the deli, the cheese-shop and the coffee-shop.
We were spoiled for choice with dinner venues and cuisines, with over 27 restaurants to choose from, all in walking distance or a short shuttle ride from the W.
Our golfing journey commenced at the Dunes Course, Greece's first signature golf course, designed by Bernhard Langer, two-time US Masters Champion and former Ryder Cup Captain. The Par-71 offers an wonderful backdrop of both sea and river views, accompanied by the gentle presence of the Sellas River meandering along a few holes. Much of the course's layout pays homage to the rugged contours of the distant mountains. As we ventured further inland, it felt as though we were teeing off in Navarino's very own food basket, with fragrant rosemary, thyme, and fennel lining the paths. The course continued to surprise and delight us as we journeyed through olive groves and orchards, where citrus, fig, quince, pomegranate trees, and grapevines thrived in abundance. The fairways, lush and verdant, beckoned us, while the rough was almost as pristine as the fairways. Remarkably, The Dunes Course was in impeccable condition, a testament to its resilience in the face of unseasonal rain in the days leading up to our round. Playing The Dunes was nothing short of a joyous experience. Its expansive fairways, undulating greens, and the strategic placement of steep-faced pot bunkers added layers of excitement to our game.
Our next round was at The Bay Course. Prior to teeing off, we took the opportunity to loosen up with Lynda, our group's "physio," who expertly led us through a series of stretches. It wasn't long before more golfers began joining in on our impromptu warm-up session!
Set against the backdrop of olive groves and commanding views of the Bay of Navarino, this par-70 course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, artfully winds its way through three distinct terrains – the coastline, canyons, and olive groves – offering a visual feast of contrasts. Four holes had seaside greens framed by a scenic backdrop of the tranquil waters of the bay. As we moved inland into the canyons, the scenery transformed, and play was to elevated greens. Next were the grove holes graced by over a thousand mature olive trees, some dating back more than five centuries. These holes offered distinctive mountain views, a stark contrast to the coastal and canyon sections. The Bay Course may not have had the fruit trees present on The Dunes Course, but it did have the same abundance of fragrant herbs. The scores were high today, with three golfers scoring over 40 stableford points, and the winner coming in with 45 points!
The afternoon flew by; drinks at the beach bar, relaxing poolside, before a walk along the water’s edge to a local village for a spot of souvenir shopping.
Our third round was a relaxing Ambrose Competition at The Hills. We arrived at Navarino Hills early and took full advantage of the excellent practice facilities, explored the well-stocked Pro-Shop, and savoured a coffee to kickstart the day.
Navarino Hills is home to two remarkable resort courses: The Hills and the International Olympic Academy Course, spanning across 125 hectares with commanding views of the Bay of Navarino and the Ionian Sea. Both courses were designed by José Marίa Olazábal, who has quite masterfully created two quite different courses which also stand apart from The Bay and The Dunes courses.
The par 72 Hills Course climbs upwards away from the sea, is rocky, rugged and untamed with large elevation changes and a good mix of lengthy challenging holes, and exhilarating short holes. Routed through an ancient forest with no sea views to distract us, we needed all of our focus to stay on the fairways. We loved the change of viewpoint and the raw ruggedness of the course. The garden plantings of the flowering grasses in large swathes along some of the paths was a feast for the eyes and beautifully softened the ruggedness of the course. The Hills was an excellent choice for our Ambrose round - we all enjoyed the day.
For our finale, we tackled the International Olympic Academy Course, perched high on the clifftop plateau. The front nine of this course shared a kinship with The Hills Course, albeit with a touch less ruggedness and more large plantings of the vibrant flowering grass gardens lining the pathways. But as the course looped back towards the sea, the fairways narrowed, and the holes stretched longer and were more demanding. The gardens with their mass plantings were more prominent, setting the course apart from the others.
The mesmerizing seascapes that surrounded us made it all the more challenging to maintain our focus on scoring. Despite the faster greens, our group ended up posting its highest scores on the last day of play. It's no surprise that this course garnered the title of the group's favourite among the Costa Navarino courses with its combination of ruggedness, sea views and manicured gardens.
In the realm of golf travel, Costa Navarino boasts nothing short of exceptional golfing facilities. From the architectural marvels of the clubhouses to the meticulous driving ranges and short game practice areas, every aspect is crafted with excellence in mind. Even the hire clubs delighted. But it wasn't just the equipment, courses, and facilities that stood out; it was the remarkable golf staff who made our journey truly extraordinary. From the welcoming caddy masters to the friendly starters, the vigilant marshals, the dedicated course staff, and the accommodating pro-shop teams—every individual we encountered exuded warmth and helpfulness. Our stay was a masterclass in exceptional service, where every detail was meticulously attended to, leaving us with an experience that exceeded all expectations!
On The Tee in Athens
Before heading to Costa Navarino, the group spent up to four days in Athens depending on their arrival date. We spent the days journeying through time and culture in the city where ancient myths and modern life seamlessly coexist. We delved into the city's rich history from the magnificent Acropolis to the winding streets of Plaka, With our guide we skipped the queues to the superb Acropolis Museum, saw the ancient jewels in the Benaki and embraced the vibrant energy of Monastiraki. We walked up Lycabettus Hill, witnessed the changing of the guard ceremony and the procession of the guards in their striking uniforms and noisy pom-pom clogs.
We enjoyed lunches in Athenian tavernas, dined - with views of the Acropolis, with sea views and marina views, enjoying meals of slow roasted lamb and goat, and more meze dishes than we can remember the names of.
Silversea Cruise of the Greek Islands
The vibrant energy of Athens and the warmth of her people lingered on as the group embarked on the next leg of their Grecian odyssey touring the Greek Islands aboard the Silver Spirit.
