PGA of Spain professional Liam Murray claims popular victory in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese, with next edition to take place from June 24-28, 2026

Championship golf, authentic Messinian hospitality and fairways overlooking the Ionian Sea combined to deliver another memorable week of action on and off the course at the 2025 AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am – a headline event on the annual sporting calendar at Costa Navarino.

Twenty-seven teams from 14 countries gathered at the sustainably driven destination for the finale to Costa Navarino’s golf season, in the breathtaking setting of Greece’s southwest Peloponnese.

This year’s event took place from November 19-23 across three of Costa Navarino’s four 18-hole signature golf courses – The Dunes Course, The Hills Course and the International Olympic Academy Golf Course. Featuring a total prize fund of €32,000, professionals and amateurs were offered the chance to combine world-class golf with a wealth of unique experiences at the revamped The Westin Resort Costa Navarino.

Sanctioned by the CPG and supported by the Hellenic Golf Federation and the PGA of Greece, the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am 2025 attracted players from all over the world, with Spain’s Liam Murray claiming a popular two-stroke victory in the professional competition, which also featured a hole-in-one by Greece’s Dimitros Vlachos on the eighth hole of the International Olympic Academy Golf Course in the second round.

Competition was strong with Spanish PGA Murray scoring a final one-under round of 70 enough to close out victory ahead of his nearest challengers, with Federico Elli (PGA of Italy), Christos Nikopoulos (PGA of Greece), Alessandro Tadini (PGA of Italy) and Matyas Zapletal (PGA of Czech Republic) sharing second place.

Murray said: “It feels fantastic to win. I came close the last two times I was here so to win in this amazing place feels great. I only looked at the leaderboard on 16 after I made par. And then I looked again on 18 and it showed Zapletal had made birdie on 16. So, I realised I needed to make a birdie up the last to have a chance, and I managed to do that.

“I’ve had a wonderful time this week. The hotel is amazing, the golf courses are great, and the views are stunning. It’s been such a memorable week, and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of coming.”

There was plenty for the quartet of PGA of Greece professional Adam Kritikos, Theodosis Athanasopoulos, Paola Del Vecchio and Sandro Treve to celebrate in the team competition, as they took victory with a winning total of 261 Stableford points.

Away from the course, competitors, friends and families had the opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy a rich and engaging programme of social events that highlighted the warm hospitality that Greece is renowned for, before the pro-am was brought to a memorable conclusion with a prize-giving ceremony hosted by Sky Sports Golf presenter Kit Alexander.

The next edition of the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am 2026 that will be a 20 year anniversary tournament, will take place at Costa Navarino from June 24-28, 2026, and to pre-register, please click here.

AEGEAN was the title sponsor and the official air carrier of the tournament. Alpha Private Bank and Athens International Airport were the event’s gold sponsors, Korres, Coca Cola Tria Epsilon, adidas and Cellier supported as silver sponsors and Pratt & Whitney, Vodafone and Cenergy Holdings were the tournament’s bronze sponsors. Other supporters included Hertz Autohellas, Gallagher, Airbus, Kokotos Estate, TaylorMade, La Cucina, UJP Law, TEKA Systems and Vourakis Jewelry, who crafted the trophies, while Geely-Zeekr sponsored the ‘Hole-in-One’ trophy.

For more information on the 2025 Aegean Messinia Pro-Am visit aegeanmessiniaproam.com, for more information on AEGEAN visit AegeanAir.com and for more information on Costa Navarino visit CostaNavarino.com.

The latest update sees multiple Viya venues perform exceptionally well across the board. Yas Acres Golf & Country Club has entered the Top 20 in the Middle East for the first time, debuting at #18 – a particularly notable achievement for this exceptional nine-hole course. The Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates and The Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club have also moved up to positions #4 and #5 respectively, further strengthening the region’s reputation for world-class golf. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club has also risen three places, now ranking #7.

“This recognition reflects the incredible depth and quality of golf we have across the UAE and wider region,” said Christopher May, Chief Executive Officer at Viya. “For Yas Links to remain the Middle East’s #1 course is something we are extremely proud of. It also highlights the strength of our wider portfolio in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the continued investment and commitment to excellence across all Viya venues.”

Designed by Kyle Phillips and set along the coastline of the world-famous Yas Island, Yas Links Abu Dhabi is renowned for its traditional links-style layout, spectacular sea views, and championship-level conditioning. The course is home to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a Rolex Series event and one of two playoff tournaments at the climax of the DP World Tour season, attracting many of the world’s leading players.

The latest ranking results further reinforce the Emirate’s growing reputation as a leading global golf destination and highlight the strength of the Viya portfolio, which continues to invest in innovation, sustainability, and exceptional guest experiences across its clubs and destinations.

To find out more about the facilities at Viya Golf’s Yas Links, including the new Golf Academy, the 18-hole championship course and the par-3 course, visit: viyagolf.com/yaslinks.

“You Can” seeks to encourage brand new golfers with a disability through the shared personal experiences of established players. Their highly positive messages and stories aim to ignite the imagination of others to join in and try the game.

While “You Can” is all about putting each golfer first, inspiring each individual to dream, it enhances EDGA’s mission to make golf truly inclusive for people with a disability.

The campaign launch coincides with the EDGA Algarve Open at Pestana Vila Sol and the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebrations. During the event, a new EDGA book will be seen for the first time – called Changing Lives – that tracks the evolution and key milestones of EDGA, while players will be presented with a memento to commemorate a quarter of a century and the launch of “You Can”.

Now live across EDGA’s digital touch-points and rolling out through member countries (EDGA advises and supports 50 national golf federations), the “You Can” campaign is designed to empower individuals with disability to see golf as a sport where they truly belong. Its central message, “You Can Play Golf”, is supported by three powerful themes: Make Friends, Compete, and Improve Health. Together, these emotive messages reflect the broader impact of golf beyond the course.

“With ‘You Can’, we’re flipping the script,” said Scott Bennett, Head of Marketing at EDGA. “This isn’t about inclusion as an afterthought, it’s about representation that feels real, powerful, and personal. Golf can offer confidence, health, community, and competition, and this campaign reflects exactly that. We wanted to make sure this project speaks to people with disabilities, not just about them.”

The EDGA team feels that unlike many sports campaigns in which disability is added almost as a side note, “You Can” was built by, and for, the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) community.

Crucially, every image, message, and story is drawn from real players and their lived experiences. It highlights the diversity of disability, not just the most commonly represented, and brings to life the barriers, breakthroughs, and benefits that only those with first-hand experience can truly articulate.

Rita Sampaio, the designer who created the campaign for EDGA pro bono, said: “The concept behind this campaign is ability, regardless of the limitations each person may have. The focus is on the player and their skill in the game of golf. ‘You Can’ is a message of empowerment, an invitation for more people with disabilities to experience this inclusive sport. We want every person with a disability to see it and think, ‘Yes, I can do that too.’ Everyone featured is a real golfer, with a true story. That’s what gives the campaign its strength.”

With QR codes on all materials linking to deeper content: videos, interviews, and written stories, “You Can” encourages confident participation through honest storytelling. The campaign is designed to reach future players where it matters most: including in rehabilitation centres, hospitals, and community spaces. And thanks to its adaptable branding, member countries can tailor the messaging while staying aligned to a unified, global movement.

The “You Can” materials are now integrated into the EDGA 8-Stage Programme, which is supported by The R&A and explores: getting started; locations (assisting venues); the workforce; communication; encouraging new and regular players; competitions and events; professional coaching education; and legacy.

Through this programme, EDGA aims to support the growth and capacity of national federations as they work to attract individuals with a disability to the game of golf.

See more on EDGA at edgagolf.com

Developed around the principle: “your club, your app”, the latest release gives every golf club the flexibility to shape its own digital environment. The fully white-labelled structure allows each club to connect the systems and features that matter most to them, whilst also tailoring the navigation and visual experience for members with their branding and chosen menu items.

From tournament management and competition tee-time bookings to websites, club diaries and member documents, the app’s configurable menu can link directly to third-party platforms, creating a single, central hub for communication and activity. This allows members to find everything they need in one place while giving clubs the flexibility to integrate their preferred systems and partners. It also supports Golf Genius’ ‘best-in-breed’ philosophy, which encourages clubs to choose the right software for each area of their operation while maintaining complete control over their digital presence.

“We’ve listened closely to our customers, and their input has been central to this release,” said Craig Higgs, Managing Director, Golf Genius – International. “Every club operates differently, and the new Club App gives them the freedom to design an experience that reflects their individual identity and priorities whilst remaining clean, reliable and distraction-free for members to enjoy a focused and seamless digital experience.”

The new design focuses on simplicity, speed and usability, introducing clean layouts and smoother navigation across devices. The update also refines the member experience, helping golfers move quickly between competitions, leaderboards, results, news and other services, while keeping club information instantly accessible.

Feedback from club managers and members played a key role throughout development. Clubs asked for more flexibility in how menus, pages and links are structured, together with faster access to the features most frequently used by members. These insights guided the redesign and helped ensure the app remains both powerful and easy to use.

“Our goal has always been to empower clubs with technology that supports how they want to work,” added Higgs. “This release reflects that philosophy by putting design, functionality and control directly in the club’s hands, helping them deliver a digital experience that feels genuinely their own.”

Golf Genius will showcase the new Club App at the GCMA Conference (16–18 November), where the team will demonstrate how clubs can use the platform to unify their digital services and strengthen member engagement. Delegates will have the opportunity to explore the latest functionality, see live demonstrations and discuss how the app can be adapted to meet the needs of their own clubs.

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Contact our team to find out more: international@golfgenius.com

In Golf World’s definitive Top 100 European Courses – published in early November – Sotogrande’s venues continue to impress, with two of the three courses featured climbing higher in the standings.

Real Club Sotogrande rises to #10, strengthening its position among Europe’s elite; La Reserva Club advances to #52, an impressive result despite several major new entries to this year’s list; and Real Club Valderrama remains a benchmark of European championship golf pedigree at #6 in the list.

Golf World’s accompanying supplement ranks Sotogrande among Europe’s most exceptional golf destinations. La Reserva Club, which climbs in this year’s ranking, is praised for Cabell B. Robinson’s design that “makes superb use of its hillside terrain” and is “presented to an exceptional standard.” Meanwhile, Real Club Sotogrande secures its place in Europe’s top ten as a “Robert Trent Jones Snr classic presented immaculately,” recognised for delivering an “enduringly high-calibre experience.”

Sotogrande’s collective strength is further endorsed by National Club Golfer’s European Top 100 Resorts list, where the destination holds firm at #3, retaining its title as the highest-ranked golf resort in Spain. The upcoming edition again celebrates Sotogrande’s exceptional blend of world-class golf, Andalusian lifestyle, and timeless appeal.

“These latest rankings confirm Sotogrande’s enduring appeal as Europe’s leading golf destination,” said Rita Jordão, Director of Marketing for Sotogrande SA. “We are proud of the continued recognition across our courses in Sotogrande, particularly for La Reserva Club, which embodies the evolution of the Sotogrande experience: elegant, contemporary, and uncompromising in quality.”

Visitors can experience Sotogrande’s world-class golf first-hand, with limited tee times available at Real Club Valderrama, Real Club Sotogrande, and La Reserva Club. The best way to secure access to these exclusive courses is through a stay-and-play golf package with the multi-awarded SO/ Sotogrande Spa and Golf Resort.

The resort is also home to The Alto Club and Golf Academy, the destination’s fourth course, recently relaunched after a complete transformation of the former Almenara course to offer a relaxed, yet high quality, accessible experience for players of all levels with golf legend Suzann Pettersen as global ambassador; a truly innovative and bold concept – the first of its kind in Spain.

To know more about The Alto Club, head to: altogolfclub.com/a>

Following the recent significant upgrade of its state-of-the-art training facilities, the academy will now operate fully under the Tommy Fleetwood Academy brand, expanding the partnership between Viya and one of the sport’s most admired figures. The launch cements Yas Links Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre of excellence for golf performance and education in the region.

The opening of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy at Yas Links Abu Dhabi brings TFA’s proven player-development philosophy to the UAE capital for the first time. The new facility complements the existing TFA location at Jumeirah Golf Estates, creating a connected performance network across the Viya portfolio.

Tommy Fleetwood, Professional Golfer and Founder of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy, said: “The UAE has always felt like a second home for me and my family. We’ve built something truly special with the academy in Dubai, and it just keeps growing. To now be building in Abu Dhabi and giving something back to the region that has given us so much means a lot to us.”
Golfers at Yas Links will benefit from cutting-edge coaching technology and an elite-level performance environment, including two swing studios with advanced simulators, a dedicated indoor putting studio, and world-class training systems such as PLATFORM Golf, Trackman, Swing Catalyst, and Sam PuttLab.

The move follows a major upgrade completed earlier this year, which positioned the Yas Links’ practice facilities among the most advanced in the Middle East. The relaunch under the TFA brand now brings Fleetwood’s signature approach to player development to Abu Dhabi, combining elite insight, data-led performance tools, and a passion for growing the game at every level.

Karl Whitehead, Cluster Manager at Viya Golf, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Tommy Fleetwood Academy to Yas Links. Abu Dhabi continues to play a leading role in growing the game, and this partnership elevates that vision even further. TFA brings world-class expertise, technology, and inspiration to golfers across the capital.”

Christopher May, Chief Executive Officer of Viya Golf, added: “Viya is committed to offering the best golf and leisure experiences across the UAE. The Tommy Fleetwood Academy represents excellence, professionalism, and a passion for player development – values we share across our venues. With the TFA now operating at both Yas Links and Jumeirah Golf Estates, we’re proud to offer golfers two of the finest coaching destinations in the region.”

Marc Arnold, Director of Instruction at Viya, said: “We’re proud to welcome the Tommy Fleetwood Golf Academy to Yas Links Abu Dhabi. This partnership reflects our commitment to world-class coaching and to growing the game across the UAE. Being associated with Tommy’s name and legacy is a privilege, and we’re excited about the impact this will have in further enhancing our programmes and inspiring more people to play.”

The launch of the Tommy Fleetwood Academy at Yas Links Abu Dhabi comes amid rising participation across the emirate, supported by expanded junior and ladies’ programmes and the club’s largest-ever team of PGA professionals.

As the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship showcases the venue on the global stage, the new academy underscores Viya’s mission to make golf more accessible, inclusive, and performance-driven throughout the Middle East.

To find out more about the facilities at Viya Golf’s Yas Links, including the new Golf Academy, the 18-hole championship course and the par-3 course, visit: viyagolf.com/yaslinks.

As part of the Viya Golf coaching team in Abu Dhabi, Peter brings a wealth of experience shaped by years of teaching golfers from all walks of life — from beginners finding their rhythm to tour-level players fine-tuning performance. His approach blends structure and simplicity, and his use of systems like AimPoint reflects his commitment to helping players understand, trust, and enjoy their own process.

In this conversation, Peter shares how he integrates performance systems into his coaching at Yas Acres, what he’s learned from teaching around the world, and how that experience helps him connect with an increasingly international community of golfers in the UAE.

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Q: As part of the academy at Yas Acres, how do you integrate AimPoint into your wider coaching programmes, and why do you feel it adds value for golfers of all levels?

Peter: At Yas Acres, AimPoint is an important part of our overall coaching philosophy. We integrate it within putting sessions, short-game coaching, and even on-course lessons. While it’s traditionally known as a green-reading system for putting, we also apply it to chipping, which gives players a better chance of holing more chip shots.

It provides a clear and measurable system for reading greens and understanding slopes, which fits perfectly with our broader performance coaching. We use TrackMan data for putting and structured practice plans to build consistency, so AimPoint complements that approach beautifully.

I believe it adds tremendous value for golfers of all levels because it takes away one of the game’s most challenging elements, reading greens. Putting accounts for around 40 percent of strokes in a round, even for pros and low handicappers, so AimPoint’s precision and repeatability under pressure help them save key shots. For mid- and high-handicap players, it’s a real confidence-builder. It removes guesswork, helps them learn quickly, and often delivers instant results.

We regularly see players reduce their putts per round by two or three on average, which means lower scores and, just as importantly, more enjoyment, regardless of age or skill level.

Q: Some golfers may see AimPoint as complex or reserved for professionals. How do you make it approachable for beginners or club golfers, and what changes do they tend to notice in their putting once they start using it?

Peter: It’s true that some people assume AimPoint is only for elite players, but the reality is that it’s very straightforward once you understand the basics. We break it down into simple, repeatable steps so it’s accessible to everyone from the start.

For beginners, it begins with learning to feel the slope with their feet, no complicated maths or charts involved. Within a session or two, most realise they can predict breaks with surprising accuracy.

The biggest difference they notice is confidence. They stop guessing and start trusting their reads. That naturally leads to better pace control, fewer three-putts, and a calmer, more focused mindset on the greens.

Q: From your international coaching background to your work at Yas Acres, what role do you see AimPoint playing in helping golfers not just improve their scores, but also enjoy the game more?

Peter: AimPoint brings clarity to putting and transforms how golfers feel on the greens. Wherever I’ve coached around the world, I’ve seen players at every level become more engaged and positive once they understand how to read greens effectively.

At Yas Acres, it’s not just about chasing scores, it’s about helping golfers enjoy the process of learning and performing. When players start to see their putts roll on line and drop more often, their confidence and enjoyment naturally grow. That’s what makes AimPoint such a powerful coaching tool.

Q: You mentioned you’ve had a fascinating journey in golf. Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to join the team at Yas Acres?

Peter: I was born into a golfing family, my father and uncle were both golf professionals, and my grandfather was a club maker, so golf was always part of life. I enjoyed it as a kid but only started taking it seriously when I was about sixteen. I qualified as a PGA professional at twenty-one and took my first job at Wensum Valley in Norfolk, where I later became Head Pro. It was a busy 36-hole facility with a great community of golfers.

After that, I moved to Bonmont Golf Club in Barcelona, which had hosted European Tour events, and later to Brussels, where I worked at the Brussels Golf Club Training Academy and then at Houdoncourt, a small club but one of the best training facilities in Belgium. I later joined Brussels Drohme Golf Club before spending two years in southern Spain running a short-game coaching business, working independently across several clubs.

One day, I came across an article by Marc Arnold (Director of Instruction at Viya Golf Golf) titled “From Burnley to Bahrain and Beyond” in The PGA magazine. I messaged him, saying “From Darwen to Brussels and beyond,” as our stories had a lot in common. A few conversations later, we were discussing ideas for the academy, and now here I am. I’ve been at Yas Acres for nine weeks, and it’s already been an eventful start. Let’s just say I’m still getting the hang of Excel.

Q: With so many expats and international players living in the UAE, how do you think your experience working and living in different countries helps you in your role at Yas Acres?

Peter: I think it helps a great deal. Having lived and worked in several countries, I understand how golfers from different backgrounds learn and communicate. I also speak Spanish and French, which has been a big advantage here.

For example, I recently gave a lesson in Spanish to a player from South America and another in French to a Moroccan golfer. Being able to teach in someone’s native language instantly makes the experience more comfortable and personal.

Many of the expat golfers I’ve met so far are British, but the international mix here is fantastic, and having that cultural and linguistic versatility really helps build stronger relationships with players.

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With a broad international background and a modern, data-informed approach, Peter is already making his mark at Yas Acres. His experience across Europe and now the UAE brings valuable perspective to the academy’s growing reputation as a destination for golfers seeking structured, accessible, and enjoyable coaching experiences.

To find out more about the facilities at Viya Golf’s Yas Links, including the new Golf Academy, the 18-hole championship course and the par-3 course, visit: viyagolf.com/yaslinks.