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Home , Italian Open (golf)

QUALITY SHORT HAUL |

AND QUANTITY ITALY There’s something for everyone in a country that provides some of Europe’s very best

VENETO FRIULI LOMBARDY VENEZIA GIULIA

EMILIA ROMAGNA taly is Europe’s great So it’s little wonder that Italy is Marco Simone will host course and nine-hole course are centred undiscovered golf beginning to register on golfers’ radars, the 2022 around a stunning 11th-century I destination. It is home to and this is likely to really gather pace castle. The main course will undergo no fewer than 141 18-hole as the country is hosting the 2022 reconstruction for the Ryder Cup. “The courses, including some of Europe’s Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf & plans are spectacular and run alongside finest, and offers great value with green Country Club in . Italy beat bids the commitment to develop all levels of fees all between €40 and €80 a round. from Germany, Spain and Austria for golf in Italy,” Pelley explained. PIEDMONT LIGURIA PUGLIA But undiscovered destinations tend the right to host the 44th edition. Skilled and complicated shaping to gradually become discovered, and so It will be the third time the event work has already begun to transform it is proving for Italy as foreign golfers has been staged in continental Europe, the old hunting and grazing paths into are increasingly drawn to its delights. after Valderrama in Spain in 1997 an exciting succession of holes, while Italy attracts 600,000 foreign green fees and Le Golf National in Paris in 2018. maintaining the original features. Jim every year but that number is growing. European Tour chief executive Keith Fazio’s skilful design sees both nines Although golf is expanding in Italy, Pelley said: “History has shown that starting and ending by the splendid the local market is still not that strong, the Ryder Cup is pure theatre and clubhouse. Thanks to a wide variety of presenting excellent opportunities to there is no question that the Eternal tees, the layout can provide a challenge the holiday golfer who will discover City of Rome will provide a wonderful for both beginners and professionals. LAZIO perfectly maintained courses, a warm backdrop for one of the great occasions The course is likely to form part of welcome and plenty of green fee in world golf.” Rome’s bid for the 2024 Olympics, too, in availability. The uncrowded courses The Jim Fazio-designed course in which Rome is competing against Paris, allow for an enjoyable, relaxing round. Guidonia, 17 miles north-east of Rome, Los Angeles and Budapest. Italy offers the opportunity to play hosted the 1994 Italian Open and offers Italy is already known as a fantastic golf all year round with a diverse views of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica. destination for holidays, famed for its selection of courses from north to Marco Simone’s 18-hole championship Golf Club Tarvisio gastronomy, history, culture, beaches, SICILY south, and from highlands to lakes and spas, walking and cycling. But few people islands. Away from the course, there are yet familiar with Italy’s golf courses, is plenty to enjoy in a country famed which are spread thoughout the country, for its history, architecture, culture, though mainly in the north and centre. gastronomy and captivating cities. There are some excellent golf resorts, too, Flight times from the UK compare in the south and on the islands, mainly in very favourably to southern Spain or Sicily, Puglia, Sardinia and Lazio. Portugal, with plenty of flights available Veneto (golfinveneto.to) started to alert all year round, whether with British people to Italy’s golfing wonders when it Airways, Alitalia or low-cost carriers won ‘Best Undiscovered Golf Destination such as Ryanair and Easyjet. There are of the Year 2013’ from the International daily direct flights to the main Italian Association of Golf Tour Operators. international airports from no fewer Whatever you want from a golf course, than 20 British airports. the wonderful Asolo, 45 miles

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together with four lakes, all set against The Verdura Resort in and, until 1929, the AGM minutes were the Canton Ticino Alps. Sicily: a luxury oasis written in English. This October the Sicily (regione.sicilia.it/turismo; Challenge Tour visits Terre dei Consoli, visitsicily.info) is home to heavenly 20 miles north of Rome, with players beaches and majestic mountains. competing for a €250,000 prize fund. Mount Etna is Europe’s largest active This Robert Trent Jones II design, built volcano and one of the main tourist in 2013, plays over rolling terrain and attractions. For a superb close-up through natural wetlands. view of Etna – one of Sicily’s nine Puglia (viaggiareinpuglia.it) is a UNESCO World Heritage Sites – head special place for golf, with its beguiling to Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort, where combination of historic surroundings the course is laid out on the volcano’s and natural features. This coastal region from , probably has it. If your hazards provided a fitting challenge to The stunning sites. But it is also known for its lakes, Golf is well established in Piedmont slopes. Along with a round of golf, you of southern Italy has the Adriatic Sea golfing checklist includes good-quality competitors in the 50th Italian Open. San Domenico mountains, food and the boutiques of (piemonteitalia.eu; federgolfpiemonte.it) can take excursions to explore Mount on it eastern coast, the Ionian Sea on greens, fairways and tees, an interesting Liguria (liguriagolf.com; ’s fashion district. With more than too, which also has more than 60 clubs. Etna’s beautiful landscape with its its south-eastern coast and the Strait and varied design, splendid views, golfinliguria.it) is a coastal region 60 clubs, Lombardy is the Italian region Many are in areas of outstanding natural typical Mediterranean vegetation. of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto to the welcoming staff and friendly service, of north-western Italy known for where golf is most widespread. beauty, and are a good starting point for Verdura Resort has 45 holes in the south. Its lower section, the Salento Asolo ticks all the boxes. its beaches, towns and more than Among these clubs is Villa d’Este, discovering a region with much to offer: valley of the River Verdura, laid out peninsula, forms the heel of Italy’s boot. Friuli Venezia Giulia (turismofvg. 210 miles of coastline. Its landscape which lays claim to being one of the cities rich in art, history and culture; between olive and lemon trees. It is a San Domenico nestles between the it) is Italy’s most north-eastern region, is a perfect setting for courses such most difficult par-69 layouts in Europe. unspoiled countryside and pristine lakes. luxury oasis immersed in the peace of ancient city of Egnathiam, dating from bordering Austria, Slovenia and the as Circolo Golf, which is laid out The clubhouse has outstanding views Piedmont lies at the foot of more the Sicilian countryside, far from the the 5th century BC, and the Savelletri Adriatic Sea. Here you can soak up on the hills by and offers over Lake . Monticello has than 30 Alpine mountains, which more traditional tourist routes. marina. The course is flanked by the Italy’s beguiling combination of history magnificent views out to sea. Garlenda two 18-hole courses and has hosted provide a dramatic backdrop for the The region of Lazio (visitlazio. Adriatic Sea and has a links feel, with and great golf. Trieste, Friuli Venezia in the Lerrone Valley – one of the most the Italian Open seven times. It also region’s courses – for example, Monte com) lies in central Italy. Its 250-mile the wind one of its key defences. From Giulia’s first club, was founded by allied picturesque in the Ligurian hinterland – features two restaurants, swimming Rosa at Castelconturbia. Circolo Golf long coast is mostly sandy with rocky the 8th hole you can see part of the troops immediately after the Second is surrounded by ancient pine forests. pools, a kids’ club and five tennis courts. Bogogno is set in the countryside stretches, and blessed with pleasant Necropolis, a site where ruins dating World War. It looks out over a delightful Rich in history, Lombardy Adriatic Golf Club Cervia has 27 holes between Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, seaside resorts offering accommodation from the 5th century BC to the 3rd panorama of the Gulf of Trieste. (in-lombardia.com) has ten UNESCO has 27 beautiful holes and has hosted two Italian Opens. and also has a splendid view of Monte to suit all tastes. Lazio is home to Italy’s century AD have been discovered. Castel d’Aviano Golf Club lies within Rosa. Its two 18-hole courses play oldest golf club, Circolo del Golf di Roma It is just one of many perfect places the Natural Park at Villa Policreti, an over real up-and-down terrain. Des Acquasanta, which dates back to 1903. Bottom left: Circolo Golf in Italy to combine a love of golf with architecturally interesting 16th-century Iles Borromees has views over the In its early days its members were Ulivi near Sanremo; an appreciation for this enchanting building. Castello di Spessa is Sempione and Val Grande mountains, mainly British and American diplomats Bottom: Castelconturbia country’s rich history and culture. dominated by a 13th-century castle with 14 rooms and a suite furnished with antique furniture, all overlooking the vineyards surrounding the layout. The beautiful central region of Emilia Romagna (emiliaromagnagolf. com) boasts many fine cities. It is also well situated for , Venice and Milan. The 27 holes at the charming Adriatic Golf Club Cervia wind through pine forests and salt lakes in a setting of rare natural beauty not far from the sea. is a design. Its wide greens, winding fairways, large bunkers and numerous water

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