8th "Aegean Airlines Pro-Am" International Golf Tournament Held

Two of the most highly esteemed golf courses in Greece and the world, The Dunes and The Bay Course at Costa Navarino, were the scene of the extremely successful "Aegean Airlines Pro-Am" international golf tournament, now in its eighth consecutive year.

This successful AEGEAN tournament, which brought together 240 players, professionals and amateurs alike, from 21 countries, confirms the high standing of the event as a key element for the future of golf in our country.

As in the previous years, the tournament was organised with the endorsement of the PGAs of Europe and with the full support of the PGA of Greece and the Cypriot and Hellenic Golf Federations.

This year’s tournament, which was held from May 29 to June 1, 2013, was honoured with the participation of 60 teams, each consisting of one professional and three amateur players. The 60 professional players taking part in this year’s tournament competed on a professional level for €70,000, the highest monetary prize in Europe in a Pro-Am event for professionals. For the third straight year, the Vpar electronic scoring system was used, while there was live scoring transmission and the possibility of using GPS by Golf Buddy. 

It is worth mentioning that for the first time, on the last day of the 8th Aegean Airlines ProAm, at The Dunes Practice Area, "Football & Golf" Clinics were held. These were seminars in football and golf in the presence of international players of the Greek National Football Team, G. Samaras, O. Karnezis, M. Sifakis and P. Kone, who together with renowned PGA golf professionals, and Takis Gonias, Jörn Andersen and Andreas Möller (all famous veteran footballers) gave unique football and golf lessons to younger players, journalists and fans! We saw in practice how these two sports can be connected and promote each other. In particular, in the first part (the FOOTBALL CLINICS), the players of the National Team demonstrated their football skills and then attended the second part (the GOLF CLINICS), where with the help of PGA golf professionals, the internationals took their first swings and participated in lessons with junior golfers of the Costa Navarino Golf Academy.

After fierce competition, the winner in the professional category of the “8th Aegean Airlines Pro-Am" was Nicolo Gaggero from Italy, followed by Liam Bond from England. In the team category first place went to the team from Italy with professional player Akim Hassan, while second went to the team from Israel with professional Itamar Cohen.

The sizable sum of €70,000 in prize money was shared among the 60 PGA professionals, while fine gift-awards were given to the amateurs. The winning professional Nicolo Gaggero received the "Aegean Airlines Pro-Am Trophy” along with a cheque for €7,000.

Aegean Airlines has demonstrated its unreserved support for the sport of golf without neglecting the needs of our fellow human beings and local communities. In this spirit, this year's tournament donated the sum of €8,000 from sponsorship revenues to SOS Children’s Villages. The SOS Children's Village in Kalamata supports 110 families through the Centre for the Support of Children and Families.

In his speech at the Awards Ceremony and Reception, Mr. Theodoros Vassilakis, President of the Organizing Committee of the "8th Aegean Airlines Pro-Am" and Chairman of Aegean Airlines, congratulated the first and second place professional winners in individual play, the six winning teams of the 8th Aegean Airlines Pro-Am Golf Tournament and the winners of the 2013 Aegean Airlines Cup for their excellent performances and genuine rivalry. He also expressed his gratitude to all those who embraced the “8th Aegean Airlines Pro-Am” and contributed their efforts to the success of this year's event.

Mr. Vassilakis, deeply moved, dedicated the ceremony to the memory of Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, saying "Thank you, Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos, for being such a passionate Messinian, such a warm admirer of our country’s natural beauties and so deeply committed to developing the fascinating sport of golf. Your strength, driving force and wisdom will always be a great source of inspiration for us!” and adding “We certainly feel very happy and lucky that your family and especially your son Achilleas is successfully continuing with his hard work in materializing the dreams you both shared for more than 30 years."

He went on to stress that in this difficult environment, efforts to build a new nation of development and prosperity must be supported by smart new business ideas and opportunities for alternative investments. Golf is one such global market with huge potential. There have been many studies that affirm the positive impact of the sport on society and the economy. More particularly, sports tourism in the field of golf reduces seasonality, attracts high-level tourists with money to spend, enhances the offering and diversity of tourist destinations and, above all, improves the image of the destination.

In her greeting, the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, said, among other things, "It is a great pleasure and honour for me to be with you at the unique destination of COSTA NAVARINO, which is the legacy of Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos. This tournament, organized by AEGEAN, an award-winning Greek airline that is growing by the day and is one of the key partners in the development of Greek tourism, has been characterized by experts in the field as one of the major golf events in Europe. The fact that more than 200 people travelled from around the world to this beautiful corner of Greece means a lot to this country, especially during this period when Greeks have been making great efforts to overcome the economic crisis. We in the Ministry of Tourism see a bright future for theme tourism and sports tourism. Investment in this sector and the development of golfing destinations and golf courses in other areas of Greece as well are among our goals. With golf we can attract visitors throughout the year. The tournament organized by Aegean is a great way to show the best face of Greece."

Mr. Theodoros Vassilakis, Chairman of Aegean Airlines, Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ian Randell, Chief Executive of the PGAs of Europe, Mr. Achilleas Constantakopoulos, President of TEMES, players of the National Football Team G. Samaras, O. Karnezis, M. Sifakis, and P. Kone, along with Takis Gonias, Ms. Katia Avramidou, Legal Counsel of Aegean Airlines, and other officials awarded the prizes to the winners during the gala dinner at the closing ceremony in the presence of major figures from the political, business, and social worlds.

Since 2011 Aegean Airlines has been the "preferred carrier" of the PGAs of Europe, instituting special prices and benefits for European professional players. Without doubt, the "Aegean Airlines Pro-Am" is one of the most dynamic golf tournaments on the annual agenda of the PGAs of Europe, among other established and distinguished sporting events. Furthermore, through this initiative, Aegean Airlines contributes each year in a dynamic manner to enhancing the quality of tourism and to developing and establishing a sporting event of international acclaim that is endorsed by the most recognized association of professional golfers in Europe.

The Chairman of AEGEAN AIRLINES, Mr. Theodore Vassilakis, the Minister of Tourism Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni and the President of TEMES Mr. Achilleas Constantakopoulos


Mrs. Olga Kefalogianni and Mr. Theodore Vassilakis award the prize along with the cheque of 7.000 eur to the winner of the individual professional category, Mr. Nicolo Gaggero