ATHENS – Golf and maritime have journeyed together for the last 10 years in an effort to highlight the great Olympic sport and support non-profit organizations that truly need help. Greece’s top golf tournament, the Greek Maritime Golf Event, celebrated its 10th anniversary, hosting leading global maritime executives for three days, September 5-8, at Costa Navarino, where they enjoyed superb weather throughout the rich program filled with golf and parallel activities.

Greek Maritime Golf Event gathered more than 90 top maritime executives, forming 23 teams of four players. The golfers competed at the award-winning “World’s Best Golf Venue” at the World Golf Awards 2023, Costa Navarino, playing among century-old olive trees with a unique view of the Ionian Sea, the historic Bay of Navarino, and the picturesque port of Pylos. On Friday morning, September 6, the first shotgun scramble took place at the International Olympic Academy Golf Course, and on Saturday morning, September 7, the second shotgun scramble was held at The Hills Course.

As part of this year’s event, non-golfers had the opportunity to attend the Golf Clinic at The Hills Course and learn the basics of the sport from renowned Greek PGA golfer and tournament organizer Thanos Karantzias. The clinic participants were welcomed by the General Manager Costa Navarino Golf, David Ashington.

The production team of the Greek Maritime Golf Event ensured a rich golfing experience throughout the tournament. All players enjoyed refreshments at the catering stations, including excellent pizza from La Cucina Italiana, authentic Greek cuisine with unique souvlaki and burgers prepared by the experienced chefs of Poseidonia Restaurant, using Greek meats from Aggelis Meatworks, and fresh fruits from Messinia. They stayed hydrated with natural mineral and sparkling water from μ. Artisan Water, Greece’s first premium artisan water, bottled in aluminum cans, making it the first Greek water to be 100% recyclable. They also enjoyed refreshing Budweiser Budvar beer and tried the Messinian juice from natural ingredients, Athi Rodi. The golfers used Messinian Spa sunscreens for sun protection, which are enriched with natural ingredients and made with Kalamata olive oil.

Karantzias stated: “I am particularly moved that this golf celebration has literally turned into an annual institution that gathers global maritime. It’s incredible how the event has evolved over its 10-year lifespan. We have gone through tough years, but the love of the maritime industry for golf is eternal, and I am very happy to see familiar and new faces join us every year. I would like to warmly thank all the sponsors, supporters, and partners who have contributed over the years to the growth of the Greek Maritime Golf Event, as well as the Costa Navarino golf team that hosts our event at its premium destination.”

Playing Golf for a Good Cause

Through its activities, the Greek Maritime Golf Event once again supported the Parents’ Association of Children with Cancer, ‘Floga.’ During the tournament and the awards ceremony on September 7, the participants had the opportunity to contribute an amount of their choice directly to the association, winning rich prizes for a good cause. The amount collected was donated to ‘Floga’, which supports children suffering from cancer and their families, fighting for better medical, psychological, and social care. The association was represented by Eleni Feretou. Auction Partners who contributed rich prizes included Costa Navarino, Athina Luxury Suites, Messinian Nest, The Margi, Tsikeli Boutique Hotel Meteora, Porto Carras Grand Resort, Iliada Sunset Suites Naxos, Kois Accommodation, Petra & Fos Boutique Hotel & Spa, Marmari Bay Hotel, Quattro Suites, Namaste Boutique Apartments, Anama Restaurant, Kookoonari Beach Bar Restaurant, and Premium Steakhouse Platanos.

Additionally, the significant contribution of the company Karnabakos was noteworthy, with two exceptional items: a unique Tiffany-colored humidor, with solid Spanish cedar wood inside and solid silver metal elements, and a cigar ashtray designed specifically for and inspired by the Greek Maritime Golf Event brand, a special gift to be purchased by the maritime executives. These items were purchased by Konstantinos Economou, CEO of Marine Tours Group, in support of the good cause.

On September 6, the 10th anniversary Greek Maritime Golf Event welcomed participants at the Welcome Cocktail by Marine Tours, with the sounds of the violin in the background. Konstantinos Economou, CEO of Marine Tours Group, the leading travel organization in Southeast Europe with a long tradition of meeting the travel needs of the maritime community (Marine & Offshore Travel), welcomed the attendees. Marine Tours has supported the event for the past four years, embracing its actions and its charitable purpose. During the evening, guests enjoyed unique Grey Goose cocktails, tasted Grey Goose Altius premium vodka, and premium μ. Artisan Water.

On September 7, the Awards Gala by Teddy’s Speakeasy took place, including the presentation of the winners. The gala was hosted by EuroLeague Legend and European Champion with Real Madrid Joe Arlauckas. In an emotional and surprising evening, accompanied by saxophone music, the tournament organizers Thanos Karantzias and Eirini Vaggena awarded the companies IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, Mainline Shipping Company, Marine Logistics, Arrow Hellas, DNV, and Marine Tours for their longstanding support of the event-institution, while they all blew out the candles on the 10th-anniversary cake for the Greek Maritime Golf Event. The highlight of the evening was the special award presented by the event organizers to Theofilos Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer / Managing Director, Piraeus-Greece of IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, in recognition of the company’s 10 years of contribution to the tournament. He was awarded the collectible pin flag of IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, which had been placed at the 1st Greek Maritime Golf Event, as well as a bottle of Blanton’s Bourbon Special Edition from Teddy’s Speakeasy, the world’s first Blanton’s flagship store.

In the team category, the team of Economou, Kechagias, Kontaxakis, and Tziotis won first place. The award for the first team was presented by Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer / Managing Director, Piraeus-Greece of IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry, internationally recognized for its excellent customer service and high-quality fleet. The second-place team included Jansen, Zervas, Shields, and Meimaridis, while the third-place team was Papadopoulou, Heard, Gallagher, and Cooper. Other awards included Closest to the Pin, won by Kosmatos, and Longest Drive, won by Bishop. The winning teams received gifts from Teddy’s Speakeasy and the opportunity to enjoy a private experience with unique, limited-edition spirits, signature cocktails, fine dining, and premium mega bottles of Grey Goose. Additionally, all the winners were given generous gifts from Messinian Spa. The winners of the Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive categories each received a unique golf bag.

Participants received a bag filled with generous gifts from all the tournament sponsors, and wore the high-quality official shirt of the event, designed by the Official Clothing Partner of the Greek Maritime Golf Event, Under Armour. SIXT, a member of the Motodynamics Group, took care of the VIP transportation and transfers as the event’s Premium Mobility Partner.

The event took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek National Tourism Organization.

More information is available online: website: www.greekmaritimegolf.gr.