José María Olazábal was joined by a host of fellow professionals and amateurs for the inaugural staging of the Olazábal and Friends Charity Pro-Am, raising funds for children in need around the world.
The two-time Masters Tournament Champion from Spain was joined by countryman Miguel Ángel Jiménez – a four-time Ryder Cup player – for the three-day event at Costa Navarino in Greece, from November 24-27.
Amateurs from around the world had the opportunity to play with Olazábal and his professional friends, who included seven-time DP World Tour winner Gonzalo Fdez-Castaño, 2021 Senior Open Champion Stephen Dodd and Phillip Price, a member of Europe’s 2022 victorious Ryder Cup side.
“Our goal was to raise money for children in need and at the same time offer our guests a great time,“ Olazábal said.
“I am so happy we achieved that and I would like to thank the Costa Navarino team and also my dear friend Miguel Ángel Jiménez and our fellow pros for helping us deliver a successful premiere.“
All proceeds from the event at Costa Navarino’s two new courses at Navarino Hills, which were designed by Olazábal and opened last February, were donated to Sport Mundi, the Spanish non-profit organisation chaired with Olazábal, which supports disadvantaged children.
In addition, the Pro-Am supported the “Clean Messinia” initiative, led by the Captain Vassilis & Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation and Costa Navarino, which aims to support and engage the local communities in a more sustainable way of waste management.
Jiménez, who gave a golf clinic as part of the event, said: “When José María calls, you know it is going to be something special.
“It truly was - a spectacular region, great golf courses, amazing guests, perfect organisation and all this for a good cause.“
Costa Navarino was named as the ‘World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination’ at the 2022 World Golf Awards.
