Nicklaus to Design first Course in Greece


A new Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is in planning at Kilada Hills Golf Resort in Peloponnesus, Greece. The high-end, master-planned residential-resort development will be the first golf resort in Greece to showcase a Nicklaus-designed layout.

Involved in the development are Trophy Golf & Resorts and Dolphin Capital Investors, a leading residential resort investor/developer in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The 600-acre Kilada Hills Golf Resort site is on the Peloponnese Peninsula and can be reached in two hours by car from Athens. The property is close to Porto Heli, one of the most picturesque second-home residential areas in Greece. In addition to Nicklaus's course, expected to open in early 2011, the resort will feature the Chedi luxury hotel, 45 villas, more than 250 residential units and a beach club. Other facilities will include an equestrian center, winery, olive oil-process facility and small retail complex. With most of the key development permits already in place for the first phase, including the golf course and hotel, Kilada Hills is positioned to be one of the first residential golf resorts to come to market in Greece. Work on the first phase is expected to start in early 2009.

"Dolphin prides itself in aligning with only the most talented and highly-regarded operators and developers to create unique and exclusive resorts across Southeast Europe," said Miltos Kambouridis, managing partner, Dolphin Capital Investors. "We are delighted to be partnering with Trophy Golf & Resorts and look forward to working with them to establish the first residential golf resort in Greece, in a setting of unrivaled and unspoiled natural beauty."

As part of the agreement, Trophy Golf & Resorts will head up the golf-course development team by providing pre-development and development consulting services. The company will also operate the course when it opens.

"We are very excited to partner with Dolphin Capital and be on the forefront of the emerging Eastern Mediterranean golf market to deliver an exceptional golf experience to Kilada Hills Resort guests and club members," said Michael Zmetrovich, CEO, Trophy Golf & Resorts. "We look forward to collaborating with a talented team of professionals, including Jack Nicklaus and GHM Hotels, to create a highly anticipated, world-class golf resort in Greece."

Peloponnesus, a peninsula forming the Southern mainland of Greece, is steeped in Greek history, culture and mythology. The greater Porto Heli area is known for its blue skies, light summer breezes, idyllic beaches and bays, archaeological treasures and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Boasting a natural harbor and safe anchorage, it is also a yachting center.

Situated on a gently sloping hillside dotted with mature olive trees, the Nicklaus course will be inspired by Ancient Greek architectural themes, while also maximizing the area's water vistas and the beauty of the surrounding countryside. The course will be routed along the lower slopes of several valleys that lead to the sea and will feature natural rock outcroppings found throughout Greece.

Golf's "Golden Bear" is excited about the prospects for the course. "Kilada Hills is on a dramatic piece of property and I was captured by its incredible potential the first time I visited," Nicklaus said. "I know the design we are creating will evolve into a spectacular course and hopefully will be one of the most sought-after golf experiences in Greece. This is my first course in Greece and I applaud the team Dolphin Capital is assembling, including the selection of Trophy Golf & Resorts, to manage the course for them."

For additional information about Trophy Golf & Resorts, visit http://www.trophygolfresorts.com/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp.