The great golf tournament, Porto Carras Pro-Am AEGEAN Mini Tour, is now an institution. From May 20 to 25, 2025, the iconic Porto Carras Grand Resort, in the enchanting Sithonia of Halkidiki, welcomed professional and amateur athletes from all over Europe to a full program full of golf and parallel activities. Participants had the opportunity to compete on the only 18-hole course in Northern Greece, enjoying the stunning view of the Aegean Sea and Mount Itamos.
Golf tourism in Halkidiki
In one of the most beautiful and idyllic landscapes in Greece, golfers from over 10 countries gathered, including Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, and Greece. The Porto Carras Pro-Am AEGEAN Mini Tour tournament was an important lever for the enhancement of golf tourism in Greece. Through this specific event, the country emerged as an emerging golf destination at an international level, with Halkidiki standing out for its combination of natural beauty, luxurious hospitality, and quality sports infrastructure. After all, the average golfing tourist spends twice as much as an ordinary traveler, significantly boosting the local economy through high-quality accommodation, gastronomy, and additional tourist services.
Glamour of Euro 2004 legends and international stars at FootGolf
The Porto Carras Pro-Am AEGEAN Mini Tour 2025, with the valuable support of AEGEAN, the Official Airline of the event, organized for another year the exciting action of FootGolf. Iconic personalities of Greek and European football met in a unique experience that combined golf with football, offering special moments of fun, joy, and sport to the participants. The legends who participated were the 2004 European champions, Thodoris Zagorakis, Giorgos Karagounis, Angelos Basinas, Fanis Katergiannakis, Pantelis Kafes, the former Greek international footballers Sotiris Kyrgiakos and Nikos Spyropoulos, as well as the international footballer Pierre Issa, representing the European Legends.
The event was also honored with the presence of the French footballer Christian Karembeu, 1998 world champion, 2000 European champion, and UEFA representative, enhancing its prestige and international exposure, as well as the Euro 2004 Legends Dimitris Papadopoulos.
Golf action
The Porto Carras Pro-Am AEGEAN Mini Tour program, at the award-winning Porto Carras Grand Resort, began on Wednesday, May 21st with a practice round for all participants, while in the evening, Domaine Porto Carras welcomed guests to a special Welcome Cocktail, offering golfers the opportunity to enjoy the fine wines of the historic winery in an atmospheric and welcoming event.
On Thursday, May 22nd, the 1st round of the Pro-Am took place, and on Friday, May 23rd, the 2nd round took place. On Saturday, May 24th, the competitive action concluded with the Open Tournament for professionals and the Individual for amateurs.
During the competitions, golfers had the opportunity to enjoy, in the registration area and at the catering stations, coffee from high-quality Miele coffee machines, excellent products and fruits from Lidl, Souroti waters and soft drinks, Galvanina tea, Sknipa beers, and traditional Greek souvlaki.
All participants wore Adidas Golf sports shirts and received rich gifts in their package from: AEGEAN, Miele, TaylorMade, Anatomic Line, and unique accessories from Olga Karaververi.
The tournament winners
The program concluded with all formalities at the Awards Gala Dinner, which included the awards for the winners at the team and individual levels. The evening was presented by the CEO of the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG), Ian Randell, with the respected journalist Dora Tsampazi.
The audience was welcomed by the General Legal Counsel of Aegean, Ms. Katia Avramidou. During the evening, honorary awards were presented to the PGA of Greece, AEGEAN, and CPG for their support of the organization and the promotion of golf. Also, another award was given to the winners of FootGolf, the European champion Angelos Basinas and the PGA golfer Vangelis Ginis.
In the teams, for the Pro-Am tournament, the team of Kotsovou, Fystrek, Idoux, and Grillet was declared champion, second came Christos Nikopoulos, Kalogirou, Steinhauer, and Ganou, while third came Papadopoulos, Avramidou, Maltezakis, and Piperas. In the special team awards, the first team on the second day was the team of Vangelis Ginis, Alexandris, Iliopoulou, Stoupakis, and the second was the team of Koumpakis, Idoux, Grillet, and Papadopoulos.
At the individual level, Themis Ginis was declared champion in the Pro.
In the Amateur Gross category, Simeon Denkov came first, Nikos Dontas came second, and Filippos Piperas came third.
In the Amateur Net category, Christos Fasois came first, Sven Behnsen came second, and Sasa Fystrek came third.
The Longest Drive for women was won by Anatoli Iliopoulou and for men by Sven Behnsen, while in the Closest To The Pin category, Teodora Guenova won for women and Wilfried Tranacher won for men.
The guests of the evening enjoyed a specially designed menu with unique savory and sweet “golf” options, waters, and soft drinks from Souroti and excellent wines from Domaine Porto Carras.
The winners of the tournament, in addition to prizes, received special gifts from Domaine Porto Carras.
Wine Tasting for a Good Cause by Domaine Porto Carras
The largest single organic vineyard in Greece, Domaine Porto Carras, supported the Porto Carras Pro-Am AEGEAN Mini Tour 2025 as a Platinum Sponsor and on Thursday, May 22, organized a unique Wine Tasting & Cigars Session for the event’s guests. Participants had the opportunity to experience the new era of the historic vineyard and taste the fine varieties of Domaine Porto Carras, in a unique journey of flavors and aromas. This year, the event supported the work of Humanity Greece, an organization that supports children and families in need.
During the Wine Tasting & Cigars Session and throughout the tournament, participants were able to offer their own contribution and purchase collectible and historical golf items, with the total amount raised being donated to support the actions of Humanity Greece. The purpose of Humanity Greece is to promote solidarity, social equality, and dignity through actions to support and empower children, families, and vulnerable populations.
Support for Humanity Greece by Lidl
Within the context of this year’s event and Lidl’s corporate social responsibility strategy, the work of Humanity Greece is being strengthened. More specifically, as one of the largest retailers of fresh food, Lidl supported financially and with products through Humanity Greece, the OPEAN volunteer forest protection group, and the OPEDET volunteer forest protection group located in the Municipality of Sithonia.
Golf Clinic & Strengthening Exercises
The organization offered free golf lessons to the tournament participants. The lessons were undertaken by professional golfers, Giorgos Diakou (President of PGA Greece), Alex Tranacher, and Giorgos Hasapis (Golf Manage,r Porto Carras).
At the same time, physiotherapist Angelos Giakoumidis undertook the improvement and strengthening of the participants in the Golfer’s Essentials and Golfer’s Prehab, powered by SIXT actions through exercises.
The Official Airline of the tournament was AEGEAN, a member of the leading airline alliance, Star Alliance. The participating golfers traveled safely and at special prices with AEGEAN.
Athletes and organizers utilized the premium fleet of SIXT, a member of the MOTODYNAMIC Group, for their transportation.
Platinum Sponsor: Domaine Porto Carras
Official Airline: AEGEAN Airlines
Silver Sponsors: Lidl, Stoiximan, SIXT
Bronze Sponsors: Miele, Adidas Golf, MOSKAN Aviation, Joker Golf Carts
Partners: Wolt, TaylorMade, Anatomic Line, Olga Karaververi, Souroti
Supporters: Galvanina, Sknipa Beer, Viva Kiosk
The Porto Carras Pro-Am was organized by Porto Carras Golf and the PGA of Greece with the support of the Confederation of Professional Golf and the major sponsor, AEGEAN, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Hellenic Tourism Organization.
Golf Production was undertaken by ActiveMedia Group.
Porto Carras
Porto Carras Grand Resort is the historic, emblematic Resort, which contributed decisively to the establishment of the luxury tourism product in Greece and especially in Halkidiki. In a natural environment of unparalleled beauty and intense changes, for 50 years it has been offering its guests high-level services and authentic Greek hospitality.
It is located next to a 9-kilometer sandy coastline and surrounded by a verdant area of ??18,000 acres, with gardens under the shade of pine trees that cover the slopes of Mount Meliton. Its facilities include an 18-hole golf course, the largest organic vineyard in Greece, a thalassotherapy and wellness center, restaurants with high-level gastronomy, a casino, and a marina that provides comprehensive services. In addition, a wide range of sports and cultural activities on land and at sea are available to guests of all ages.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
