Northern Italy
Eight regions – from Valle d’Aosta in the northwest to Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the northeast – make up the northern area of Italy, an area known to the locals as Alta Italia. These regions are split into 46 provinces, from where an impressive total of 241 golf facilities (two thirds of all the courses in the country) are affiliated to Federazione Italiana Golf, the national governing body. This northern stronghold of the Italian golfing scene is where many of the top layouts are found and it’s dominated by old tracks from the 1920s – such as the Peter Gannon-designed Milano and Villa d’Este courses – and the 1950s, with the likes of the John Morrison courses at Torino La Mandria (Blue) and Biella-le Betulle. A number of modern courses have also attained national prominence, including Robert von Hagge’s Conte and Bonora layouts at the 36-hole Bogogno complex whilst the two Robert Trent Jones Snr courses at Royal Park I Roveri in Turin and Castelconturbia, near Milan, are comfortably ranked within the Top 100 list of golf courses in Continental Europe.
Royal Park I Roveri (Allianz by Trent Jones Sr.)
Northern Italy, Italy
Royal Park I Roveri (Allianz by Trent Jones Sr.)
Robert Trent Jones designed Royal Park I Roveri and it’s his first Italian architectural ensemble, which opened its doors for play in 1971.
Golf Club Biella
Northern Italy, Italy
Golf Club Biella
Golf Club Biella known locally as "Le Betulle" is located in Valcarozza, one of the most evocative and serene spots in northern Italy. The club was founded in 1958 and the English architect John Morrison designed it.
Villa d'Este
Northern Italy, Italy
Villa d'Este
Peter Gannon cut the course at Circolo Golf Villa d’Este through a pine, ash and chestnut forest back in 1926 and this former Italian Open venue is still as stylish today as it was back then.
Torino (Blue)
Northern Italy, Italy
Torino (Blue)
John Morrison designed the original Torino golf course and a number of holes were renovated by the Canadian architect Graham Cook in preparation for the 1999 Italian Open, won by Padraig Harrington.
Castelconturbia (Blue & Yellow)
Northern Italy, Italy
Castelconturbia (Blue & Yellow)
Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Castelconturbia Golf Club opened for play in 1984 to a standing ovation. It’s located about one hour’s drive to the north of Milan and it has bags of Italian style.
Milano (1st & 2nd)
Northern Italy, Italy
Milano (1st & 2nd)
Founded in 1928, Milano Golf Club is one of Italy’s most prestigious clubs and the course is routed through glorious parkland on fairly flat terrain.
Bergamo-L'Albenza (Blue and Yellow)
Northern Italy, Italy
Bergamo-L'Albenza (Blue and Yellow)
The original eighteen holes at Bergamo-L’Albenza Golf Club were formed by C K Cotton in the early 1960s and this course was just one of several Italian layouts that he designed or restyled around that time.
Bogogno (Bonora)
Northern Italy, Italy
Bogogno (Bonora)
Bogogno Golf Club, or Circolo Golf Bogogno, is one of Europe’s most impressive 36-hole golf resorts. With two contrasting Robert von Hagge-designed courses, it’s a destination well worth knowing.
Gardagolf (Rosso & Bianco)
Northern Italy, Italy
Gardagolf (Rosso & Bianco)
Established in the mid-1980s, the 27-hole Gardagolf Country Club complex lies within the former Omedeo family estate, nestling in the Valtenesi hills above the shores of Lake Garda.
Bogogno (Conte)
Northern Italy, Italy
Bogogno (Conte)
Del Conte is one of two Robert von Hagge courses at the impressive golf club Circolo Golf Bogogno.