International players and celebrities join forces at the 2nd Messinia Pro-Am

Amateurs and professionals from 21 countries and four different continents are joining the competition, which is expected to be higher than last year, as more than half of the participants are European Tour Players.

Besides top professional golfers participating, three names will draw the attention at the tournament. Scottish golfer Gordon Brand Jr, former basketball legend Joe Arlauckas and one of Scotland's former rugby players and golf enthusiast Thom Evans, will join the event.

Gordon Brand Jr belongs to the golfing elite with many tournament entries, counting 8 wins at the European Tour, 2 wins at the European Senior Tour and 2 wins at the Ryder Cup. Former basketball star Joe Arlauckas enjoys golf as an amateur player and counts many titles in his basketball career, a highlight being the European Championship in 1995 with Real Madrid.

The 2nd Messinia Pro-Am will be supporting the SOS Children's Villages Greece Charity Association, in two ways: a) On the second day of the tournament, the charity Bowling game "A good cause to STRIKE", will offer players of the tournament the opportunity to play twice. For the total number of pins knocked down, an equal amount of money will be donated to the "SOS Children's Villages" by Captain Vassilis & Carmen Konstantakopoulos Foundation; b) Throughout the tournament, online donations can be made through the website of the Messinia Pro-Am.

The teams will be competing for the 2nd biggest prize fund given in golf tournaments in Europe. The total amount to be distributed is €50,000. The tournament will also award the top 5 best-performing teams, the 3 best professional golfers, while a hole-in-one award will also be given this year. Moreover, for the first time this year, golfers will be able to get real-time updates on team and individual scores, even on their golf buggies, with the Messinia Pro-Am new live score service.

This year's event programme has numerous surprises for the golfers, including three thematic social events with live music. The "All That Jazz" Welcome Cocktail Reception, the "Rock 'n' Roll" Charity Night as well as the "Shiny" Gala Dinner and Prize Giving Ceremony presented by two actors of Greek origin enjoying an international career, Manos Gavras and Elena Charbila.

The official airline partner of the tournament is Aegean Airlines, member of the world's largest global airline alliance Star Alliance.
Vodafone, Athens International Airport and MyTransfer are the official sponsors and Kyvernitis Travel is the official travel partner coordinating and ensuring a smooth registration & accommodation process.
The tournament is supported for the first time by the innovative services of the sports science partner Fysiotek and the Official supporters of the tournament include J.VOURAKIS SONS EE, Poseidonia, Luc Belaire, Stoli, Paulaner, METAXA, Kir-Yianni, Marendry, Nescafé Alegria, Kalamata Papadimitriou and Siampis.

Lastly, the 2nd Messinia Pro-Am is assisted by ECOLAB, Kayak, Stefanouris, Messiniaki Paradosi, Dimiourgies, Fever-Tree and Avanti.

Special accommodation packages are available at The Westin Resort Costa Navarino:
messiniaproam.costanavarino.com.

Messinia Pro-Am is organized in cooperation with the PGAs of Europe, under the auspices of PGA of Greece, the Hellenic Golf Federation and the Hellenic Olympic Academy.