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The AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am is now firmly established as one of the most respected tournaments in the global pro-am calendar.
Edited by Paulina Björk Kapsalis
When Costa Navarino was crowned World’s Best Golf Venue at the 2024 World Golf Awards, it confirmed what many golfers had been saying for years: Messinia has become Europe’s premier stage for the game. The honor not only recognizes the technical brilliance of its courses but also the way the destination harmoniously blends world-class golf with Mediterranean charm and luxury travel experiences. For professionals and amateurs alike, Costa Navarino offers a golfing experience that lingers long after the final putt.
A Tournament Unlike Any Other
Played across three of Costa Navarino’s four acclaimed 18-hole courses, the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am unites some of the finest golfers from around the world. The event gained new prestige in 2022, when the Aegean Airlines Pro-Am and Messinia Pro-Am merged into one annual celebration of the game. Since then, it has grown rapidly, with the latest edition welcoming 60 teams from 23 different countries, making it one of the most international pro-am events on the calendar.
For Spanish professional Manuel Morugan, who claimed last year’s top title by a single stoke, the event is about more than competition: “This is the best Pro-Am I’ve ever played in by far. Costa Navarino is unbelievable. I hope I can come back another time and enjoy it just as much.” His words capture the blend of challenging play, breathtaking scenery, and warm hospitality that keeps players returning.
The tournament also manages a rare balance between fierce competition and camaraderie. Austrian pro Georg Schultes, a past winner and frequent participant, observed: “The combination of the two tournaments has brought all of the best professionals here. It still has the flair of the Aegean Pro-Am, but with a huge field of professionals. It’s lovely to see all of these friends and colleagues here.” For players, the Messinia Pro-Am is not only about competing, but also about connecting, celebrating, and belonging to a vibrant golfing community.
Courses of Distinction
What elevates the Pro-Am is the stage on which it’s played: Costa Navarino’s signature courses, each crafted by a world-renowned architect and offering its own distinct challenge. The Dunes Course, Greece’s first signature golf course, was designed by Bernhard Langer. It features wide fairways and steep-faced pot bunkers set amid diverse natural scenery, with sweeping views of both sea and river. The Hills Course and The International Olympic Academy Golf Course, both designed by José Marίa Olazábal, unfold across rolling terrain, offering panoramic vistas of the countryside and the glittering Bay of Navarino below. The fourth course, not used for the Pro-Am but providing another spectacular option for visitors, is The Bay Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Two of its holes run along the historic bay, creating a memorable mix of challenge and beauty.
Beyond the Fairways
The prestige of the AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am reflects Costa Navarino’s evolution as a destination. As Schultes noted: “The evolution of Costa Navarino has been amazing. The Navarino Agora and the new hotels towards the bay are amazing, and my amateurs and I visited some amazing new restaurants.”
Indeed, Costa Navarino has become a hub where sport, leisure, luxury, and culture converge. With four luxury resorts, residential neighborhoods, three renowned spas, and Europe’s first Mouratoglou Tennis Center, it offers so much more than golf.
Set against the backdrop of the Ionian Sea, rolling olive groves, and golden Mediterranean sunsets, the destination also invites guests to discover Messinia itself. Ancient ruins, seaside villages, world-class gastronomy, and family-friendly excursions ensure that every visitor finds something memorable.
Ultimately, the Pro-Am is more than a tournament; it’s a celebration of sport, lifestyle, and discovery. On and off the fairways, Messinia delivers an experience that resonates with professionals, amateurs, and companions alike.
Ready to combine championship golf with an unforgettable escape?
The 2025 AEGEAN Messinia Pro-Am takes place on November 19-23. Plan your trip to Costa Navarino and see why professionals, travelers, and international award panels alike hail it as Europe’s premier golfing destination – and so much more.
