Two more courses announced for Greece’s Navarino development
The Costa Navarino development in the south-west of Greece is getting bigger. Developer TEMES has appointed the design firm of double Masters champion José María Olazábal to design two new courses.
Costa Navarino is already home to the Dunes course, designed by European Golf Design, and the Bay course by Robert Trent Jones II, respectively. However, when the project was first announced, the developers suggested they would ultimately build several more courses on the near 2000 hectares of land they had acquired in the area.
The two new 18-hole courses on the Navarino Hills property – which has over 150 hectares of garrigue landscape – will overlook the Bay course and the Bay of Navarino and offers panoramic views of the countryside and the Ionian Sea. This development will bring the total number of courses at Costa Navarino to four, all within a 13-kilometre distance and under the same management.
“This announcement represents a milestone moment for Costa Navarino and the region,” said Stephanos Theodorides, vice president and managing director of developer TEMES. “We are excited to introduce our plans for Costa Navarino’s evolution. Our vision for the destination development always included Navarino Hills as an instrumental component, based on the principles of an eco-retreat. José María Olazábal stands for passion, integrity, and quality. These are principles very close to our hearts and made the decision an easy one to partner with him for this special project.”
Olazábal said: “The Navarino Hills property is spectacular and the views are simply breathtaking, particularly on the northern edge where you will find it almost impossible to take your eyes off the striking Bay of Navarino, famous for its naval battle history. The rest of the site will also quickly win the hearts of golfers with extended views over rolling hills. For us, it is a privilege to have the chance to design not just one, but two golf courses and we will do everything to do this incredible land justice and deliver a golfing experience you will want to return to over and over.”
Olazábal Design architect Toni Ortner told GCA: “The site is an amazing maquis, or garrigue landscape, with huge rock outcrops and massive wild olive trees. And that’s even before we start talking about the views, which are just off the charts.”
Construction started during the summer. The two courses are being built simultaneously and are expected to open in 2021.
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An artist’s impression of Navarino Hills in the region of Messinia, Greece
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José María Olazábal on site at the upscale golf destination Costa Navarino
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