Parco di Roma

Designed by P.B. Dye, the youngest son of Pete and Alice Dye, the course at Parco di Roma Golf & Country Club is a new millennium track that’s laid out on rather hilly terrain to the north of Rome. Fairways are set out in an open landscape with few trees to contend with but there’s plenty of sand and water to negotiate instead.

Actually, this 18-hole layout is part of a 54-hole master plan comprising three 18-hole courses. Ten of the current holes will be included in the first new course with the other eight holes split equally between the projected second and third courses.

It’s a rather ambitious project which might one day come to fruition. For now, however, the existing layout has a rather fragmented feel. As it stands, the use of buggies is a must due to the long distances involved in getting from some greens to the next tee.

Holes 1, 16, 17 and 18 are located on level ground at the lowest part of the property, close to the clubhouse, with a small lake coming into play on the final two holes. The remaining fairways occupy more undulating terrain, requiring the odd blind shot on occasion.

The Ladies Italian Open was held here in 2004, four years after the course first opened, and Ana Belén Sánchez (her first success on the Ladies European Tour) won the event. The Spanish woman carded an aggregate score of 281 on her way to overcoming runner-up Martina Eberl from Germany by one shot.