The PGA of Italy’s Federico Elli maintained his two shot overnight lead to claim the inaugural Messinia Pro-Am organised by the Costa Navarino in Greece.
“I feel so good. I played a solid round [today], except the last three holes where my heart rate went up a bit,” said the Italian, who shot a final round of 72 (+1), to finish with a three-round total of 205 (-8).
“I was looking at Ralph [Miller] often, because he was playing in front of me…I saw that he had a bogey on the 18th, and then my heart rate went a bit lower.”
Costa Navarino
Costa Navarino is the prime, sustainable destination in the Mediterranean, located in the Greek region of Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese.
One of the most unspoiled and breath-taking seaside Mediterranean landscapes, this area has been shaped by 4,500 years of history. Its philosophy is driven by a genuine desire to promote Messinia, while protecting and preserving its natural beauty and heritage.
It will comprise a number of distinct sites featuring 5-star deluxe hotels, luxury residences, conference facilities, spa and thalassotherapy centres, signature golf courses, as well as a wide range of unique year-round activities for adults and children. Navarino Dunes, the first area, is home to two luxury 5-star hotels,
The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino; The Dunes Course – the first signature golf course in Greece- Anazoe Spa, a 4,000sqm. spa & thalassotherapy centre; the state-of-the-art conference centre House of Events; specially designed facilities for children; as well as a variety of gastronomy venues, sports, outdoor and cultural activities. Navarino Bay, the second area is home to the signature golf course, The Bay Course.
Address
Costa Navarino
24001 Messina
Greece
Map
Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, is Greece’s largest airline providing at its inception in 1999 until today, full service, premium quality short and medium haul services.
On 23rd October 2013 AEGEAN acquired Olympic Air; as a result passengers now have increased flight frequencies and connections as well as improved accessibility to Greece’s islands, including some of the more remote, both for visitors and Greeks alike. Total traffic of both companies reached 10,1m passengers in 2014. AEGEAN invests on strengthening its international presence and on supporting the Greek tourism both in Athens and in regional airports. The company´s summer 2015 timetable includes a network of 134 destinations, 100 international in 45 countries and 34 domestic, with 15,400,000 available seats, i.e. 2,4 million more seats than in 2014. The flights will be performed with one of the youngest fleets in Europe, comprising 58 aircraft, after AEGEAN´s recent investment in new additional Airbus A320ceos. The flight increase will be more intensive in 2015 from the main base of Athens, but shall also cover activities from other 8 bases of the company ( Heraklion, Rhodes, Corfu, Chania, Kos, Kalamata, Thessaloniki & Larnaca). AEGEAN has been honored with the Skytrax World Airline award, as the best European regional airline for 2015. It is the sixth time that the company has received this distinction, the previous being in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and in 2014.
Aegean Airlines has been strongly committed to supporting the development of Golf in Greece and has been successfully organizing, since 2006, the international golf tournament “Aegean Airlines Pro-Am”, which has established itself as one of the most important golf events both in Greece and abroad. Furthermore, Aegean Airlines, is officially named as the “Preferred Airline of the Confederation of Professional Golf”, the “Major Sponsor and Official Carrier” of the PGA of Greece and the “Official Air Carrier” of the Hellenic Golf Federation and the Cyprus Golf Federation respectively. In addition, the company favours air travel for all golfers by offering free of charge carriage of golf bag and equipment for every Golfer.
Hellenic Golf Federation
The Hellenic Golf Federation (HGF) is the highest golf authority in Greece and is administratively and hierarchically placed under the General Secretariat of Sports.
The main goals / objectives of HGF are the promotion and expansion of golf in the country, the organization of golf competitions held under the HGF auspices and be represented through the national teams in international competitions achieving notable performances.
The Athletic Sport Committee of HGF works closely with the club - members for the promotion and improvement of new players through their club academies and strives to maintain the more experienced athletes at the highest competitive level since those are the ones composing the national teams.
Part of the activities of HGF is also the promotion of the opportunities offered to foreign visitors to explore and play golf in one of the country's golf courses taking advantage of the approximately 300 days of sunshine on a yearly basis. Several tournaments are organised with the assistance of the HGF with participants, such as The Greek - American diaspora tournament, coming from abroad.
Hellenic Olympic Academy
The Greek Olympic Academy carries out educational programs of Olympic education with an emphasis on children and young people in Greece.
The dissemination of Olympic education in Greek territory, the culture and the implementation of educational and social principles of the Olympic movement, Fair Play, the contribution to the fight against the doping phenomena and violence in sport, awareness of young people in the protection of environment through sport and the development of perception of the sports community on sustainability issues, are some of the objectives of the NOA.
It functions as a multicultural center that aims to preserve and spread the Olympic Ideal. Through its long history, one can see that the Olympic Spirit, reflecting wider cultural conditions created in any season. Thus, all actions of the National Olympic Academy, supporting a vision for the 21st century: to strengthen the contribution of Olympism to humanity!
PGA of Greece
The PGA of Greece was formed in 1989 and it is the official governing body for professional golf in Greece and member country of the Confederation of Professional Golf. The PGA of Greece also works closely with the Hellenic Golf Federation of Greece - member of EGA.
The Greek PGA Mission Statement is derived from our Constitution.
The primary objectives of the PGA of Greece are to promote and administer professional golf in Greece. In support of these objectives, the Greek PGA responsibilities are to:
- Co-operate with the Confederation of Professional Golf and other National PGAs
- Arrange the Professional Greek Open Golf Championship, international matches and other events
- Co-ordinate the annual golfing teaching programmes of our members
- Act as the focal point for seeking formal Government and other major sponsorship for golf activities in Greece
- Co-ordinate the promotion and development of golf activities
- In collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce, promote Greece as a golf destination
Manage the affairs of the Greek PGA to the best advantage of the Association and its members
Round 03 - Excellent Elli Claims Inaugural Messinia Pro-Am
Round 02 - Elli Earns Lead At Messinia Pro-Am After Career Low Round
Round 01 - Nilbrink Holds Slender Lead At Inaugural Messinia Pro-Am
Messinia Pro-Am at Costa Navarino
The Dunes Course
Former Ryder Cup Captain and US Masters Champion Bernhard Langer, in association with European Golf Design, is the architect of the first 18-hole signature designed golf course in Greece.
Much of the contouring mirrors the rugged outlines of the distant mountains. Close to the sea, there is a links-like feel; further inland, it reflects a more typically Greek landscape of olive and citrus groves, and there are large undulating greens, wide fairways and steep-faced pot bunkers.
Primarily a resort course, the variety of tee placements on offer means that it will be hugely enjoyable for the casual golfer whilst at the same time an exhilarating challenge for the best players. Measuring a full 6,018 meters from the championship tees down to just under 5,000 meters from the front, the playing areas are generously wide and cater for the occasionally breezy conditions so close to the sea.
| Course Par | Total Length |
|---|---|
| 71 | 6018m |
| Tee | Par | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 395 |
| 2 | 4 | 320 |
| 3 | 5 | 499 |
| 4 | 4 | 443 |
| 5 | 3 | 137 |
| 6 | 4 | 280 |
| 7 | 5 | 485 |
| 8 | 3 | 194 |
| 9 | 4 | 389 |
| Out | 36 | 3142 |
| 10 | 3 | 176 |
| 11 | 4 | 358 |
| 12 | 4 | 369 |
| 13 | 4 | 340 |
| 14 | 3 | 163 |
| 15 | 4 | 304 |
| 16 | 5 | 490 |
| 17 | 3 | 185 |
| 18 | 5 | 491 |
| IN | 35 | 2876 |
| Total | 71 | 6018m |
The Bay Course
Just a few minutes from Navarino Dunes, at the Navarino Bay development, the Bay Course offers an alternative set of challenges and choices in a quite different setting. Designed by leading American architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., it plays a little shorter than the Dunes Course at 5,760metres from the back tees. The par 71 course places a slightly greater emphasis on strategic play and positional golf.
The Seaside, Canyon, and Grove holes provide striking contrasts that create a dramatic and memorable golf round. The course plays to a par of 71 from a variety of lengths designed to test the golfing skills of amateurs and pros alike. The imaginative layout offers panoramic seaside and mountain views, including several holes that play directly along the sea and two directly overlooking the historic bay of Navarino.
| Course Par | Total Length |
|---|---|
| 71 | 5614m |
| Tee | Par | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 291 |
| 2 | 5 | 465 |
| 3 | 3 | 152 |
| 4 | 4 | 358 |
| 5 | 3 | 149 |
| 6 | 5 | 451 |
| 7 | 5 | 462 |
| 8 | 4 | 318 |
| 9 | 3 | 182 |
| Out | 36 | 2828 |
| 10 | 5 | 488 |
| 11 | 3 | 112 |
| 12 | 4 | 388 |
| 13 | 4 | 346 |
| 14 | 4 | 345 |
| 15 | 3 | 187 |
| 16 | 3 | 163 |
| 17 | 4 | 302 |
| 18 | 5 | 455 |
| IN | 35 | 2786 |
| Total | 71 | 5614m |