Golf at Porto Carras will soon be back amongst the 'circuit' of golf in Greece

Absent now for over two years due to economic and environmental factors, it is soon to be re-opened in all its glory, and will swiftly regain its reputation as one of the premiere golf venues in Europe.

By David Benjamin Mathews

To start at the beginning, Porto Carras was the inspired creation of John Carras over 30 years ago.

Recognising the outstanding beauty of the location, situated next to the village of Neos Marmaras on the middle 'finger' of Sithonia, Chalkidiki, he created the three hotel complexes, marina, vineyards, olive groves, casino and the 18-hole golf course within the resort.

For various reasons the resort fell into decline during the 1990s.

In 1999, Constantine Stengos, the president and major shareholder of the Technical Olympic Group of Companies, purchased the resort with the goal of restoring Porto Carras to its former status as one of Europe's premiere leisure and holiday destinations.

Back to the golf. After acquiring several proposals, Golf Associates of Spain were appointed to project and manage the redevelopment of the golf course which was the magnificent creation of American golf course architects Geoffrey Cornish & Bill Robinson (G. Cornish & W. Robinson Golf Course Designers).

The renovations began with the reshaping, relining and cleaning of the existing three lakes.

A state-of-the-art irrigation system was installed, along with the latest computer software, which is proving to be a major asset. A computerised weather station was also positioned on the golf course. This is essential for monitoring the climatic conditions and collating the data required for modern turf management practices.

The next step was to cultivate the greens, tees and fairways and ameliorate zeolite, a mineral soil amendment, into the existing top soil. This will reduce the water and fertiliser consumption by up to 40% which will prove extremely beneficial in both the financial and environmental management of the golf course for decades to come.

The turf grass chosen to replant the golf course was paspalum, a warm season grass, for one reason -- the irrigation water is saline. Paspalum is the only turf grass available which can be watered with salt water. The waste water from the entire resort will also be used for irrigation which will have no adverse affects on the turf but will be an operation which is hugely beneficial to the environment.

Three holes were planted with important paspalum at the end of the summer 2002 with a further seven planted so far this year. The remaining eight will be planted by the end of June which should allow a provisional opening of nine holes on Saturday, September 13th, 2003 with the complete eighteen holes fully operational in the early summer of 2004. The renovation of 'golf at Porto Carras' will be complete and, once more, it will be a leading European golf venue.

The renovations on site are being managed by David Mathews who has 20 years' experience in golf course construction, refurbishment and management, both practically and theoretically.

The golf operation, which includes a driving range, practice area, brand new, modern club house, with pro shop and restaurant, buggy and golf club hire, amongst many other services within the facility, is being developed by the Director of Golf, Sofia Papadopoulou, who, with 10 years' experience in golf management in Germany, will establish the golf operation of Porto Carras as a first-class golf resort for all ages and abilities.

So, all the golfers of Greece, Europe and the world take note -- golf at Porto Carras is back -- and back with the best!

Source: Golf & Tourism in Greece magazine (April-May-June 2003).

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