Costa Navarino, the Mediterranean’s prime sustainable destination, has teamed up with two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal to launch the Olazábal and Friends Charity Pro-Am this autumn.
Taking place at Europe’s newest golf destination from November 24-27, the inaugural event will feature the exclusive opportunity to join Olazábal and his professional friends in an up-close experience, playing the two new courses at Navarino Hills, which were designed by the Spanish legend and opened in February.
Featuring a maximum field of 18 teams, with each team comprising one professional and three amateurs, the event will include a practice round and two separate 18-hole competitions on the world’s first International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the Hills Course.
Social events, a prize-giving lunch and a golf clinic are also included, with all proceeds of the event being donated to Sport Mundi (www.sportmundi.es), the Spanish non-profit organisation chaired by José María Olazábal, which supports children in need. The tournament will also support the “Clean Messinia” initiative, led by the Captain Vassilis & Karmen Constantakopoulos Foundation and Costa Navarino, which aims to support and engage the local communities in a more sustainable way of waste management.
Olazábal said: “I am proud to be able to bring our new charity pro-am to Costa Navarino. My team and I have enjoyed a wonderful relation with Costa Navarino during the past years when we built the two new courses at Navarino Hills. I am thrilled to continue to be a part of the Costa Navarino story with our new event. Our goal is clear, we want to give back and raise as much money as we can for underprivileged children.”
Situated over 125 hectares overlooking the historic Bay of Navarino and the Ionian Sea, the International Olympic Academy Golf Course and the neighboring Hills Course, measuring 6,366m and 6,280m respectively, made their debut at the start of the 2022 golf season. They are set in a unique location with majestic sea, mountain and valley views. The combination of the highest quality course standards and breathtaking landscapes guarantees a truly memorable golfing experience.
Providing the ideal complement to the destination’s two existing signature golf courses, The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, players of all levels can now enjoy the challenge of four signature 18-hole golf courses within a 13km maximum distance.
Nuno Sepulveda, General Manager of Costa Navarino Golf, said: “Costa Navarino is thrilled to be partnering with one of the most famous and respected names in world golf on such an exciting event. José Maria and his team have crafted two unique golf layouts at Navarino Hills, and I can think of no better finale to what has been a landmark year for Costa Navarino.”
For more information about the Olazábal and Friends Charity Pro-Am and to book, please email info@olazabaldesign.com or visit www.olazabalandfriends.com