Yesterday evening the “3rd Aegean Airlines ProAm” International Golf Tournament, which took place with the support of the PGAs of Europe, was successfully completed in Hersonissos of Heraklion Crete. During the Closing Ceremony, the competitors and invited guests were greeted, among others, by the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Aris Spiliotopoulos, the Chairman of the Organizational Committee of the event, Mr. Theodore Vassilakis (Chairman of Aegean Airlines) and the Chairman of the PGA' of Europe, Mr. Ken Schofield.s.
The tournament, which took place between 5th-7th June, constituted, for a third consecutive year, a dynamic initiative by Aegean Airlines, which continuing the successful course of the two previous years, organised a competition that was both high in standards and public interest. Several of the worlds’ renowned professional golfers participated in this international competition. In this way, Aegean Airlines has further strengthened its strategic role in the international projection of our country, contributing to the total qualitative upgrade of the Greek tourist product.
The “3rd Aegean Airlines ProAm” constitutes the only event in Greece, which takes place with the support of the Professional Golfers'Association of Europe, in the biggest and consequently most modern golf course in Greece. The prestigious 36- hole “Aegean Airlines ProAm” hosted at Bob Hunt’s acclaimed dessert style 18- hole Championship Golf Course at Hersonissos in Crete, a golf course that ideally combines the ecologically sustainable natural environment with the high international specifications of this sport.
The “3rd Aegean Airlines ProAm”, continued for yet another year, not only offering astonishing landscapes but also creating particularly competitive challenges and experiences for the competitors, the result of which was the fervent attendance of 176 golfers from 12 countries on a world scale. The participating golfers created 44 teams, consisting of one professional (Pro) and three amateur (Am) players, who, at the end of the competition, shared 62,000€ worth of prize money, as well as gifts from the organizers. The prize money for the 1st place winner, in the Professionals category, amounted to the sum of 7.000€.
It is also worth mentioning that a sum, amounting to 12,000€ from the income of tournament sponsoring, has been donated by the event’s Organizational Committee to the “Zoodohos Pigi” (The Fountain of Life) Centre for Special Children, which is located in Heraklion, Crete. “Zoodohos Pigi” is a non profit, non governmental organization, which provides services to children with mental disorders or autism, with the hope of being able, as an institution, to offer its precious ethics, materialistic and psychological help and support to children facing such problems and to their families.
With regard to the final results of the special event competition, first place in the Professionals category was awarded to Swedish Fredrick Manss n (Orebro GC) (7.000€ in prize money) while the second place was tied between Thanassis Karatzias (Glyfada Golf Club) and Morgan Olofsson (Glasriket GC) (4.000€ each in prize money). First place in the ProAm Teams category (one professional and three amateur players) was awarded to the team led by Morne Botha from South Africa who represented Woodhill Country Club.
The event was supported by the following sponsors: Aegean Airlines, Costa Navarino, Alpha Bank, Willis Limited, Puma, Autohellas Hertz, Maris Hotels, Greek Ministry of Tourism - Greek National Tourism Organisation, Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, Coca Cola (Avra Active Cup), Vacar S.A - Saab, Region of Crete, Municipality of Heraklion, Antonis Vourakis, Semeli Winery, Clinique, Eurest, Automotive Solutions LTD. The sponsor of electronic communication was the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation S.A. (ERT S.A.), ERA Sport, ERT Digital, and the sponsor of printed communication was Esquire magazine.