History made by Legends at Costa Navarino
The Legends Tour will visit Greece for the first time in 23 years from 7-9 June. The Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy will take place at the stunning Costa Navarino destination.
The European Tour Group is providing financial backing, promotion, and organization for the first Legends Tour event of the 2024 season, set to take place in continental Europe.
Costa Navarino, situated in Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese of Greece, is a member of the European Tour Destinations network. Known for its sustainable practices, this Mediterranean destination offers a premier golfing experience with its four signature 18-hole courses.
The Legends Tour event will be held on two of Costa Navarino’s courses: The Bay Course will host the first round on Friday, June 7, followed by the International Olympic Academy Golf Course for the second and third rounds on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9.
Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament and Operations Officer of the European Tour Group, expressed enthusiasm about supporting the new tournament in Greece. He emphasized the importance of providing additional playing and earning opportunities for Legends Tour members and highlighted the collaboration with Ryan Howsam and the Legends Tour team, which includes record prize funds for 2024. Cowen also noted the success of the season’s launch in Barbados and wished members well in the upcoming US Senior PGA Championship before the event in Greece, which will showcase the beautiful Costa Navarino to a global audience.
Phil Harrison, CEO of Legends Tour, praised Costa Navarino as an exceptional destination. He acknowledged the support from the European Tour Group and highlighted the challenging yet picturesque golf courses. Harrison also mentioned that many members are already familiar with Costa Navarino, while new visitors can expect a unique experience both on and off the golf courses.
Harrison added that bringing the Legends Tour to Greece expands the tour’s global reach across Europe and beyond. He expressed excitement about the new addition to the calendar and thanked the European Tour Group for their financial and organizational support.
David Ashington, General Manager at Costa Navarino Golf, expressed pride in Costa Navarino becoming the first venue in Greece to host a major professional golf tournament in 23 years. He highlighted the destination’s four signature golf courses, five-star hotels, extensive sports and lifestyle facilities, and authentic year-round experiences. Ashington looked forward to showcasing Costa Navarino to players, their families, tournament guests, and a global audience.
Guests at Costa Navarino can choose from several five-star resorts, including The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, W Costa Navarino, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino.
The Field
Already entered into the event are three Major Champions as well as eight of the top ten from last season’s Legends Tour Order of Merit. Look to see guys like Michael Campbell, Scott Hend, Mikael Lundberg, and Roger Chapman compete this weekend.
The Bay Course
Open since October 2011, the 18-hole, 71 par seaside Bay Course at Navarino Bay, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, provides both a fun experience and a challenging test for golfers of all levels. 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.
With the majority of tees offering sublime sea views and two holes playing along the historic Bay of Navarino, the course plays at 6139 yards from the back tees and meanders through three distinct natural landscapes. The Seaside, Canyon, and Grove holes provide striking contrasts that create a dramatic and memorable golf round.
The International Olympic Academy Golf Course
The International Olympic Academy Golf Course, is one of two 18-hole par-72 golf courses designed for Costa Navarino by the world-famous golfer and two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal. It is located at Navarino Hills, the 125-hectare golf haven named the “World’s Best New Golf Development” at the 2020 World Golf Awards and one of the most anticipated new projects worldwide in the golfing community.
In these rolling green hills, the 6366-meter International Olympic Academy Golf Course course overlooks the historic Navarino Bay and the Ionian Sea. Olazábal describes the spectacular sea view as “breathtaking” and almost impossible to keep your eyes off. Speaking this summer at a virtual event announcing the project, he said: “It is a great honor to have designed the first International Olympic Academy Golf Course at Navarino Hills. The development of the game is very close to my heart, and I am proud that future generations of golfers will have the opportunity to be educated in the Olympic values at this wonderful new facility.”
The Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy takes place from June 7-9, 2024.
Discover more about the incredible destination of Costa Navarino here