Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Two new courses to open at Costa Navarino in February 2022

The Costa Navarino destination in the south-west of Greece will in February 2022 open two new golf courses, created by the design firm of double Masters champion José María Olazábal.

The 6,961-yard International Olympic Academy course and the 6,867-yard Hills course – which will both be part of the Navarino Hills development at Costa Navarino – join layouts by European Golf Design and Robert Trent Jones II to give the resort a total of four courses.

“I’m thrilled with how good the two courses are looking ahead of opening early next year,” said Olazábal. “The setting at Navarino Hills is one of the most spectacular that I have seen. The characteristics of the site are wonderful for golf, and it surely ranks among the most beautiful properties we have ever had the chance to work on.

“The International Olympic Academy golf course is the longer and tougher of the two that I have designed. It’s more compact and, in style, different to the Hills course, which is set in the valley and has more room, especially off the tee.”

Both new courses will overlook the Bay of Navarino and offer panoramic views of mountains, valleys and the Ionian Sea.

“We are spoiled as golfers because there are so many great places to go, but Costa Navarino is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to,” said Olazábal. “It is more than just the golf offering here, it is the whole experience that is exceptional – from the nature, the culture and the people with their amazing hospitality to the food, the beach and so many activities to choose from.”

A new clubhouse, located between the two new courses, is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year. The Navarino Hills golf facilities will also include a driving range with a capacity for 60 people and a large short-game area.

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  • Navarino
    Fabian Sixt

    The International Olympic Academy golf course (pictured) and the Hills course, designed by Olazabal Design, will open in February 2022 at Costa Navarino in Greece

  • Navarino
    Fabian Sixt

    Both courses offer views over the Bay of Navarino and the Ionian Sea, as seen here on the IOA course’s par-three twelfth

  • Navarino
    Fabian Sixt

    The fifteenth hole on the IOA course at Costa Navarino, now home to four 18-hole layouts

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Fabian Sixt
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