Dimitris Kollaros, 48, one of this island's top golfers, has been named to the newly-created office of managing director of the 18-hole championship Crete Golf Club in Hersonissos, it was recently announced.

Mr. Kollaros, who is on an indefinite sabbatical from his job as an investment banker in Athens, has been in Crete for the past four years and served as head of the Golf Club of Crete, an association headquartered at the golf course.

As a golfer for the past 25 years, Mr. Kollaros, who has a 3.8 handicap, won the Cyprus Open (Category B) in 2006, and has won the Cretan Championship from 2006 to 2008. He will defend his title in the 2009 tournament this November at the Crete Golf Course.

"We have a spectacular course here, the best in Greece," Mr. Kollaros said, "and I have set my sights on developing programmes that will make the sport of golfing more accessible and attractive to the local residents, as well as visitors."

In addition to his new duties, Mr. Kollaros, who unassumingly admits to three hole-in-ones over the years ("hole 14, par three…it's an easy one"), will retain the title of captain of the Golf Club of Crete, which has 110 members, 15 percent of which are women.