The Golf Courses
The Dunes Course
The 18-hole Dunes Course was designed by former US Masters Champion and Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer, in association with European Golf Design.
Set in diverse topography with spectacular sea and river views, tall dunes divide some of the holes adjacent to the golden beach. Inspired by the character of the natural landscape, much of the contouring mirrors the rugged outlines of the distant mountains.
Close to the sea, there is a links-like feel, adding to its unique style and playability; further inland it reflects a more typical Greek landscape of olive and citrus groves. Several holes run along a small river that meanders through the site and there are large undulating greens, wide fairways and steep-faced pot bunkers.
The course is designed to provide an exciting challenge for all golfers, measuring from a little more than 5,000 metres from the front tees to almost 6,018 metres from the back tees with a par of 71.
The Hills Course
The Hills Course is located on the eastern side of the Navarino Hills property and is perhaps best described as a scenic golf journey through nature. The course fits seamlessly into the land and, along the way, passes old olive trees, ancient rock walls and stunning ravines that carve deep into the Kinigou Hills, also designed by two-time Masters champion and Ryder Cup legend Jose Maria Olazabal, overlooking the rural landscape of Messinia with rugged mountains and small villages. The course has five tee boxes per hole, one less than on the IOAC, and measures 6,251 metres from the back tees. Undulation is more of a factor and the scenery is vastly different. Only once, on the fourth tee, can you catch a glimpse of the sea, but the visual sensation is still dramatic, with mountain tops, long valleys and stunning rock formations. The 18 holes offer a good balance and variety, from doglegs to uphill and downhill holes, long par fives, short par fours and challenging par threes. Additionally, myriad strategic options await you and provide a good test for creativity and course management. The Hills Course gives you a fair balance between risk and reward and bail-out situations and puts a premium on strategy and shot-making over power.
International Olympic Academy Golf Course
Designed by two-time Masters champion and Ryder Cup legend Jose Maria Olazabal, launched in partnership with the International Olympic Academy and the Hellenic Olympic Committee, International Olympic Academy Golf Course plays around the western part of the Navarino Hills area and benefits from having over half its holes along the ridge of the hill overlooking the Bay of Navarino.
The front and back nine are distinctly different in layout. The front nine circles the southern portion on softly undulated terrain and leads through old olive groves in typical Greek landscape, while the back nine plays along the edge of the cliff and provides spectacular sea views. The par-72 layout measures 6,351 metres and provides a good challenge for top players and regular golfers.
Precision over length is rewarded on several holes and long-hitters, if too aggressive off the tee, will find themselves under pressure a few times. The golf course plays very fair for mid to high handicappers, with multiple forward teeing options, roomy bail-out areas to play safely around hazards, and bunkers that, despite their formidable appearance and strategic placement, are not too deep.