Costa Navarino – The Dunes Course, Greece

Located at Costa Navarino in Messinia, southwest Peloponnese in Greece; the impressive Costa Navarino Dunes Course stretches across a breathtaking beachfront landscape. This 18-hole, par-72 course measures almost 6200 meters from the back tees and a little more than 5000 meters from the front tees. Designed by two-time Masters champion and Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer in partnership with European Golf Design. This new course has caught headlines in recent months as many point to the significance of a course of this magnitude in Greece.

This championship course, set in a landscape of diverse topography with spectacular sea and river views, incorporates some links-style features in areas closest to the sea, with tall dunes dividing some of the holes adjacent to the golden beach. Parts of the course venture into olive and fruit groves, while some holes run along a small river that meanders through the site. Combined with large undulating greens, wide fairways and steep-faced pot bunkers, the links element of the course adds to its unique style and playability.

Each hole has multiple sets of tees to allow the player to select the course length that best suits his or her game. Much of the course had been crafted to reflect the rugged outlines of the distant mountains. As you move further inland, the course evolves as the character softens to fit with its typically messinian surroundings of olive and citrus groves. Extensive practice facilities including a well-appointed full-size driving range, putting green and short-game practice area. A team of golf professionals will be available for private lessons and individual coaching lessons.

Ross McMurray of European Golf Design, who led the design team, commented: “The inspiration for The Dunes Course was its spectacular location. It is one of the most beautiful places you could be asked to design a golf course and frankly the waterfront views are just breathtaking. Our objective was to create a course which would not only compliment this wonderful setting but would set a benchmark in its own right for quality and high standards, in order to attract the attention of a golfing public who may not previously have considered coming to Greece.

“With so many dramatic golf holes, the strategic bunkering and large, undulating greens, I’m convinced that The Dunes Course will be exciting, fun and challenging in equal measure.”