Business News Golf – Global golf legends enjoy a record-breaking week at Costa Navarino

Costa Navarino hosted a week of record-breaking action as the Legends Tour made a memorable return to Greece, as the country's first major golf tournament in 23 years.

The first line-up for the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy included major champions Paul Lawrie and Michael Campbell and included 60 players from 19 countries. A number of low-scoring games including course records being broken on both championship courses – the Bay Course and the International Olympic Academy Golf Course were among the highlights of the tournament.

American Clark Dennis started the final day of the 54-hole tournament one stroke behind the leader, Sweden's Mickael Lundberg, but an impressive back nine that included six birdies helped him to a third consecutive 66 and a final score of 17-under-par. to. he won the title by four shots from Australia's Scott Hend. Lundberg finished third with James Kingston from South Africa, Greg Owen from England and Adilson da Silva from Brazil.

The winner, Clark Dennis, who registered only one shot all week and was a symbol of consistency at Costa Navarino, said: “It feels good, we had a good time this week. It's probably the best place the Legends Tour has been since I've been on Tour, and that's eight years now. It's been great to have my wife Vickie here and my youngest son Philip in the bag. It's his third win as a caddy, so we had a great time. It's unexplainable, you know, at our age we don't know how many of these we will have left to be with them, it was amazing.

Michael Campbell, who won the US Open in 2005, said: “It's just great here. The destination and facilities are exciting, and you look around and you can't go past the beautiful views.”

Peter Baker, winner of the 2023 MCB Road to Mauritius, added: “What an amazing place. It's my first time to Greece so it's nice to come here. The people are really nice and the courses are in good condition.”

The Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy was played at two courses in the area – the Bay Course for the first round on Friday June 7 and the International Olympic Academy Golf Course for the second and third rounds on Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9. Players and guests. they chose from the area's five-star resorts as their destination: Romanos, The Collection's Luxury Resort – where most of the professionals stayed – the W Costa Navarino, the Mandarin Oriental, the Costa Navarino and the Westin Resort Costa Navarino.

Helping to organize the tournament field – which will be played at the venue until 2026 – is the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Pro-Am at The Bay Course, where the field includes Hollywood star Bill Murray said: “I've never been to a place like this and it's the kindest place ever I have been in. The owners take good care of Costa Navarino and the people of the region are really happy to be here.”

The Bay Course, a par-71 beach course, measures 5,614m in length and was designed by renowned golfer Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Englishman Liam Bond held the course record after shooting a nine-under 62 at the Aegean Messinia Pro-Am last September, but his mark was in jeopardy from the start as Lundberg (61) went first ahead of England's Hend and Robert. Coles took advantage of the good hitting conditions to go one shot better with 60 rounds.

The final 36 holes saw the tournament move to the International Olympic Academy Golf Course. Located in the Navarino Hills, the building designed by José Marίa Olazábal offers panoramic views and measures 6,366m in height.

With the conditions perfect for low scores, the players made the most of Sweden's Joakim Haegmann, India's Jyoti Randhawa and Dennis all equaling the course record on day two with rounds of six-under-par 66, with Dennis matching score in the final round after holing a putt over 20 feet for three birdies on the final hole to seal the victory in style.

David Ashington, general manager at Costa Navarino Golf, said: “It has been a real pleasure and privilege for Costa Navarino to host the Legends Tour and such a world-class line-up. It was a memorable week for everyone involved. As well as showcasing two of our four signature golf courses, the event provided an opportunity for professionals, beginners and their families to experience our expanded offering of sporting and lifestyle facilities and Messiah hospitality.

“Costa Navarino has a lot to offer golfers, and we look forward to developing our relationship with the Legends Tour over the next two years.”