Top 50 Golf Courses of Italy 2018
Golf arrived in Italy via British golfers who founded Florence Golf Club in 1889 (though Nisbet’s Golf Year Book 1912 lists the year of its formation as 1899) and the pioneering club would go on to host the first Italian Amateur Championship in 1905, by which time other golf clubs had been established in Varese (1898), Rome (1903) and Lake Como (1905).
Nowadays, more than two thirds of the 241 courses operating around the country are located in the eight regions that comprise Northern Italy. That might seem like a very healthy number of golf facilities nationally but, per head of population, Italy lags way behind the likes of Belgium and Portugal in its golf provision, even though, in fairness, both those nations have far fewer courses.
Perhaps appointing Marco Simone Golf and Country Club as the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2022 will see an uplift in the numbers of Italians participating in golf. Currently, there are around 90,000 players registered with Federazione Italiana Golf – 23% of these are adult females and 10% are juniors – and hosting such a prestigious event will surely draw more people into the game.
And so to the latest edition of our Top 50 for Italy, where the 18-hole layout at Circolo Golf Villa d’Este leaps three places into the number 1 position. Located in the tree-clad hillside above Lake Montorfano, the course is a Peter Gannon design dating back to 1926 that has hosted a dozen Italian Opens down the years, the most recent of which took place in 1972. It may be too short for the modern day professionals but Villa d’Este is still a timeless classic, as intimated by a recent reviewer who wrote: “from the moment you enter through the gate, you can see this is all high quality… with great views of the surrounding mountains… the clubhouse is nice (with) a lot of class… all in all a great experience and it comes with great Italian flair.”
The most impressive upward move by our sixteen chart climbers is made by the oldest surviving golf course in Italy, belonging to Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta, which rises seven places to number 5 (it also debuted in our Continental Europe Top 100 at number 90 recently). Founded by diplomats from the British Embassy in 1903, the club started out with a 9-hole course but this was doubled in size to an 18-hole layout a decade later. It’s not known who actually designed the course but its routing indicates it was somebody of repute who was able to set out the outward half in an anticlockwise direction around the clockwise-orientated back nine – surely there must be some mention of an architect in the old club minutes (which were drafted in English up until 1930 when Alfedo di Carpegna became president) or perhaps it was laid out by members who knew what they were doing?
Whatever the case may be, golf is played here in a very special atmosphere, where the tree-lined rolling parkland fairways are split by the wandering waters of the Almone River with the rather unique backdrop of the Via Appia Antica and the Claudius aqueduct ruins. The course will never again host an Italian Open (the last one was held here in 1980) as it can only be extended to just over 6000 metres, which is too short for the professionals, but that’s more the loss of the European Tour. Credit the club for preserving this Golden Age track as it must be tempting to have a high profile architect come in to renovate the layout – it’s fine just as it is, thank-you.
Other courses making significant progress within the top half of the new table include both Kyle Phillips-designed 18-hole layouts at the Verdura Resort on the southwest coast of Sicily (the East course is up one place to number 8 and the West course rises three spots to number 11), the Rosso and Bianco nines at the 27-hole Gardagolf Country Club complex, set in 275 acres overlooking Lake Garda (up five to number 17), and the course at Argentario Golf Resort & Spa on the Monte Argentario promontory in Tuscany (up four to number 25), which was one of the first in Italy to be awarded an “Agricert” for its eco-compatible credentials when it was built in 2006.
The only new entry in our updated Italian standings appears at number 21 and it’s the 18-hole Mountain course at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, which Rainer Preissmann and Wilfried Moroder remodelled in 2011 when they redesigned ten holes from the previous course (designed by Pier Luigi Mancinelli in the early 1990s) and added eight new holes. They also brought the 9-hole Lakes course into play at an upmarket 27-hole resort which lies in the heart of Tuscany, a 90-minute drive southwest of Florence city centre. Castelfalfi has flown very low under our radar over the last few years but, now that it’s been brought to our attention, expect to hear more about it in the months that lie ahead.
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To view further details of our newly updated Italian Top 50 rankings click the link.
We’re always happy to hear what you think of our re-ranked national listings in Europe so please make use of the “respond to this article” link at the top or at the bottom of this page if you’d like to share your opinion of our newly revised Top 50 for Italy.
Jim McCann
Editor
Top 100 Golf Courses
Top 100 Golf Courses presents its biennial review of golf courses in Italy We extend our listings of Italian courses by establishing a new Top 50 Italy is the last of the major golfing nations in Europe to undergo a biennial review in 2016. It wasn’t exactly planned that way as it’s taken a little longer than anticipated to garner all the data required to update our listings. Nevertheless, we think it’s been worth the wait – and the extra effort involved in obtaining this information – because we’re now able to extend our coverage of courses throughout the country with an additional twenty tracks, establishing an inaugural Top 50 chart. Golf in Italy is focused on the North of the country, in the eight regions collectively known as Alta Italia, and it’s here that more than two thirds of all the golf facilities in the country are located. Politically, the golfing centre of power remains close to the capital, with the Italian Golf Federation ensconced at Golf Nazionale, formerly known as Le Querce, which is situated an hour’s drive northwest of Rome city centre. The Federation is no doubt delighted with the recent news that one of its members, Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, was chosen as the venue for the Ryder Cup in 2022, becoming only the third course in continental Europe (after Valderrama in 1997 and National (L’Albatros) in 2018) to host this prestigious event. We’ll be keeping a close eye in the weeks and months ahead on the proposed course improvements to the Championship course that have been promised by Ryder Cup Europe. And so to our new Top 50 for Italy; this is the fourth revision of a chart that was first created in 2008, when we featured what was then regarded as the best twenty courses in the country so we think we’ve progressed a little from those early efforts. Three quarters of those courses remain in the current Top 20 so only five layouts have managed to break into the upper echelons of the Italian listings after eight years of ranking. The big news is that we have a new national number 1, with long-standing top track Biella ousted from its position at the summit by the Robert Trent Jones course at Royal Park I Roveri. There wasn’t much in it (the respective chart positions of the two layouts in our Continental Europe Top 100 is 26 versus 28) but the old John Morrison course at Vacarozza has just been usurped by the more modern design of esteemed American architect, Robert Trent Jones Snr. Set within the ancient hunting grounds of the Parco Regionale della Mandria, the RTJ course is one of two fabulous 18-hole layouts that occupy a gorgeous woodland estate owned by the powerful Agnelli family, close to the city centre of Turin. Host venue for the Italian Open between 2009 and 2012, the course has proved in recent times that it’s more than capable of testing the top professional players, as well as providing regular weekend sporting pleasure for its many members. Another course rises one place near the top of our revised Top 10 standings and it’s another Robert Trent Jones Snr design, the Blue and Yellow nines at Castelconturbia which now occupy the number 3 position in our revised rankings. Unveiled in the mid-1980s, this golf facility has been described by one reviewer as; “a fantastic golf experience… 27 holes of challenging golf that gently follow the natural undulations of the land… with spectacular views of the massif of Mount Rosa.” Only two layouts remain in the same position at the top end of the rankings and the first of these is the aforementioned Golf Nazionale at number 5, a course that Jim Fazio and David Mezzacane co-designed in 1990. The other track is the Torino Blue course at number 6, which Graham Cooke remodelled before it hosted the Italian Open in 2013. One reviewer had this to say about it: “I’ve yet to play anywhere near handicap here for some reason unbeknown to me but I’ll be back when I’m next visiting Turin and once again I’ll dig deep and pay the green fee. It really is worth the expense if you can afford it.” Olgiata (West) surges up the listings (climbing nine places to 7) and this 1960s Ken Cotton layout has benefitted greatly from a major renovation carried out in 2010 by Jim Fazio, when he upgraded most of the holes. Also making an impressive leap up the chart, the Bonora course at Bogogno (up ten to 8) virtually swaps places with its sister course, the Conte (down six to 15), so who’s to say there’s not been a case of mistaken identity with those two in the past? A little further down the rankings, another couple of Ken Cotton courses make significant upwards moves: Bergamo L’Albenza – where Costantino Rocca once caddied in his formative years – dates back to the early 1960’s and it shoots up eleven spots to number 13 whilst the course at Circolo Golf Venezia, extended to an 18-hole layout a decade earlier, soars twelve places to number 16. The first of our new entries arrives at number 19 and it’s a rare European design from Tom Weikopf, Castiglion del Bosco, which is located within a massive 5,000-acre estate near Siena. Three other newcomers enter as an ensemble, ahead of the main pack. At number 24 and 25, we have a couple of Lombardian tracks, Arzaga (Jack Nicklaus II) from Nicklaus Design and Le Pavoniere from Palmer Design and these two are followed at number 26 by Poggio dei Medici, a Tuscan track that one reviewer recently described as “modern meets medieval”. To view further details of the Top 50 for Italy click the link. We’re always keen to find out your reaction when we update our national rankings so let us know what you think about our new Top 50 for Italy. Are there any courses that shouldn’t be there or have we missed one that really should be included? Maybe there’s a particular layout listed either too low or too high in the chart? Whatever your thoughts are, please click the “Respond to this article” link at the top or at the bottom of the page if you’d like to give us your opinion. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses
Top 60 Golf Courses of Italy 2020 This is the fifth biennial revision of our listings for Italy, which began with a modest Top 20 back in 2008. We expanded the rankings to a Top 30 in 2014 then added a further twenty tracks two years later to create a Top 50. We’re adding another ten layouts and that means we’ll now profile around 25% of the 241 golf facilities operating across the country. Half of these courses are located in the North, or Alta Italia, region and this is only to be expected when you consider most of the nation’s golf output is to be found there, even if the sport’s political power remains close to the capital in Rome, evidenced by Marco Simone Golf and Country Club hosting the Ryder Cup in 2022. Golf in Italy’s still very much a game played by a relatively select few, even though 91,000 players are registered with the Italian Golf Federation. The latest statistics in a KPMG report list the general population per golf course in 2018 as 246,058 and this figure was easily the worst (Belgium was next with 149,351) when compared against 19 others in western Europe. Turning our attention to our latest ranking chart for Italy, 10 courses remain in the same position, 10 move upward and 12 enter for the first time. Remarkably, seven of the non-movers reside within the Top 10 tier, including the No. 1 layout at Circolo Golf Villa d’Este in Como. Laid out in the tree-clad hills above Lake Montorfano, this Peter Gannon design dates back to the mid-1920s and more Italian Open champions have been crowned here than anywhere else. Circolo Golf Villa d’Este Review comments for this classic old track include snippets such as: “it may measure fairly short but you won’t find it easy here on the wooded hillside near Lake Como… the views were sensational and I could still see the snow-capped mountains… the overall experience was excellent… there are big old trees that surround every hole… the course design is great, with no weak hole”. Rising four places to #4, the course at Pevero Golf Club in Sardinia is a Robert Trent Jones design that opened in 1972, shortly after Ron Kirby, RTJ’s man on the ground at this time in Europe, left the firm to start up his own business. Six years later, the 35th edition of the Italian Open was held here, won by Dale Hayes from South Africa. Pevero Golf Club Our US Consultant Fergal O’Leary had this to say about Pevero when he played it a while back: “the routing is very tough at this course. The topography doesn’t lend itself to a simple flow. Each hole sits alone as its own unique creation. On the back nine, the distance between many of the holes becomes very noticeable as RTJ Snr wrestled with how to connect each hole to the next.” Climbing five rungs on the ladder to #15, the course at Castiglion del Bosco in the Brunello di Montalcino winemaking region of Tuscany is a rare European design from Tom Weiskopf which debuted in 2012. Boasting fescue fairways and bent grass greens, the course is draped across a stunning landscape, with a “settle the bet” par three 19th hole available for deciding tied matches before players retire to the clubhouse. Castiglion del Bosco The course at Argentario Golf Resort & Spa is another Tuscan beauty that advances four positions to #21. Recently designated as the PGA National Golf Course Italy , this 18-hole layout on the Monte Argentario promontory is set out in a spectacular spot overlooking the Orbetello Lagoon, where the coastal breezes have a big say in how well you’ll perform here. Water hazards come into play on the outward half before holes then weave their way through some lovely olive groves on the back nine. Argentario Golf Resort & Spa The biggest upward move in the new Italian table (soaring eleven places to #23) is made by the oldest golf club in Italy, Circolo Golf Ugolino, founded in 1889 and now situated 15 kilometres south of the city centre in Florence. The course is another Peter Gannon creation which was laid out with his design partner Cecil Blandford in the early 1930s, when the club moved to its current location, and it still retains many of its original characteristics, including very small “postage stamp” greens. Circolo Golf Ugolino An hour’s drive further south of Florence, the course at Royal Golf la Bagnaia leaps ten places up the new chart to #25. It featured in an article published last year entitled On the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Trail in Italy, when we visited several places within the beautiful regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, and La Bagnaia occupies a substantial portion of a large, rolling property that encompasses a couple of old, converted villages as boutique accommodation options. Royal Golf la Bagnaia The course at Golf Club Bologna is the highest of ten new entries appearing in our new rankings, arriving at #30. The first course to be established in the Emilia-Romagna region when it was unveiled in the late 1950s, it’s a Ken Cotton and John Harris co-production which was subsequently modified by Peter Alliss around twenty years ago. Although it’s never hosted a major professional tournament like the Italian Open, the layout has been used for many elite regional and national amateur events. Golf Club Bologna Over the coming months we hope to hear positive news regarding Sicily's Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, which closed down last year and is currently for sale. It would be a real shame to lose the 36-hole facility that hosted the inaugural Sicilian Open in 2011. Rank/ To view the complete detailed list of the Top 60 Golf Courses of Italy click the link. Jim McCann Editor Top 100 Golf Courses
Top 30 Golf Courses of Italy 2014 Top 100 updates its Italian golf course rankings 21 January 2014 With around 250 golf courses in Italy, there are plenty of options for the discerning visiting golfer. We’re still scratching the surface of Italy’s finest courses but we’ve recently uncovered a few more of the country’s lesser-known gems. We’re therefore pleased to report that we’ve extended our Italian coverage from a Top 20 in 2012 to a Top 30 for 2014. Sicily may well be the largest Mediterranean island but up until recently Sicilian golf courses were in short supply. The introduction of two 18-hole Kyle Phillips-designed courses at the Verdura Golf Resort and the Gary Player-fashioned Parkland course that ably supports the contrasting Franco Piras-designed Links course at Donnafugata has completely raised the golfing bar on this charming island. All four courses feature prominently in our latest Italian rankings. Our highest new entry is Ugolino or Florence Golf Club, a course that comes highly recommended by the Top 100 Team. Golf began in Florence way back in 1889 but the course in play today is a Cecil Blandford and Peter Gannon design from 1933, which was modified slightly in the 1960s by Piero Mancinelli. Our Canadian Correspondent Dave Finn visited Florence only a couple of months ago and commented as follows: “The front nine swoops through hills and the key to these holes is to keep your tee shot in the fairway and back far enough so you can see the uphill greens. Shaping shots will definitely help your game but if you’d like a suggestion, keep your driver in the bag until you get to the 5th hole. The back nine is more level and offers better opportunities to charge the greens.” Gannon and Blandford also designed Milano, which moves up six places to 8th and the venerable Roma-Acquasanta (Italy’s oldest golf course) also rises six positions to 11th. Biella known locally as ‘Le Betulle’ (The Birches) 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 the course. Biella has been glued to the top of our Italian rankings since 2008. As always we welcome feedback, so feel free to let us know what you think of our golf course coverage in Italy – there must be many other layouts in this country that are worthy of exposure on the Top 100 website? Top 100 doesn’t claim to be “definitive” but we like to think we create the “most informed” golf course rankings in the business. If you’ve played any of our featured Italian courses, we’d love to know your thoughts, so why not post a course review? Keith Baxter Editor-in-Chief www.top100golfcourses.com Click the link to see the latest Italian Top 30 in detail.
