Golf des Iles Borromées
The Golf Club Des Iles Borromées is set within enchanting verdant scenery at an altitude of 600 metres. While playing the course, golfers can enjoy an extraordinary view of the Sempione Mountains and those of the Val Grande. From the tee-off of the eighteenth hole, on clear days, players can admire the outline of Milan’s skyscrapers and the four lakes: Lake Maggiore, Lake Varese, Lake Monate and Lake Comabbio, in addition to the entire chain of the Canton Ticino Alps. But the natural flora is the real highlight. Birches flank the entire course. Pine trees, ash trees and larches mixed with oaks and holm oaks and chestnut trees remind us of the altitude and the fact that we are already in the Prealps. Golfers can even find Micado Thuies at hole 12. The course is open throughout the year, with the exception of January. Summer temperatures never exceed 28 degrees (July-August) and there is always a breeze. In winter the sun warms almost all the south-facing holes. This natural fairway was designed by the architect Marco Croze. Its difficulties, its unevenness and its obstacles are not man-made. They have been there for centuries in a course that is both demanding and fun. No hole is banal and it is difficult to make comparisons with any other in the world. Par 3 is the shortest and measures 150 metres; it is uphill and protected by as many as 5 bunkers. The longest par 5 (hole 11) measures 525 metres and can be reached in two strokes by more powerful players, but has a green that is deceitful and well protected by a small lake on the left.
| Useful informations: | Open throughout the year (with the exception of January) Closed on Mondays (with the exception of public holidays and summer) |
| Facilities: | Restaurant, Bar, Pro shop, driving range, golf cars and carts |
| How to reach Golf: | Take the Milano-Laghi autostrada in the direction of Gravellona Toce, Carpugnino exit. Follow the directions for about 2 kilometres. |
Golf dei Laghi
Eighteen holes set among a wood, pools of water, the backdrop of the Prealps and the majestic horizons dominated by Monte Rosa. Golf dei Laghi is definitely one of the most interesting courses among those recently in the limelight in Italian golfing. Hence its slogan “discover it while it’s becoming famous”. Designed by Piero Mancinelli, the course was founded as a championship course suited to hosting scratch or amateur players of a high level. But beginners or players with a high handicap are welcome. It starts in the clearing where the vast open spaces allow those with a powerful swing to give free rein to their qualities. But is necessary to bear in mind always the obstacles and bunkersthat protect the greens. One then moves further into the woods, where the fairways become narrower and perspectives change. It is necessary to know how to measure shots, always making sure to control them.
The course
The course is varied and undulated and the holes force the players to be precise. Hole 15 is a par 4 measuring 410 metres and is of indubitable charm. This is not only because the player has a magnificent view that stretches from Monte Rosa to the Campo dei Fiori range, but also because, from a technical point of view, the player is forced to make careful choices. Two strategies can be used to face this left dog-leg. The first, a classic one, imposes a very precise tee shot so that the ball will land in the clearing at the foot of the tee-off; and from there on, with another 150-180 metres of fairway to go, to attack the green, framed by water and bunkers on the left and behind by a small pine forest on the right. On the other hand, from the tee-off, more daring golfers can skim over the oaks and the chestnuts on the left and “cut” the dog-leg, not without risk, in order to attack the green with a short iron.
| Useful informations: | Open from February to December. Closed on Tuesdays (with the exception of public holidays) |
| Facilities: | Restaurant, Bar, Pro shop, driving range (with 15 covered stations, 3 covered ones), putting green. |
| Address: | Via Trevisani, 6 – 21028 Travedona Monate (VA) |
Golf Club Varese
Golf was first introduced in Varese in 1897 with a course, set in the park surrounding the Grand Hotel Excelsior, nowadays the residence of the Prefect. After being moved, for a short time, in the picturesque Valganna, it eventually settled, in 1934. The course, initially of 9 holes and extended to the present 18 holes in the mid fifties, is a par 72 on a gently ondulating ground and, at each hole, one can admire the wonderful view of Monte Rosa, the Lake Maggiore, Varese and Monate , besides Sacro Monte and Campo dei Fiori which shelter it from cold north winds. Its wonderful Club House is located in an ancient convent, built in the XIIth Century. In recent years important restoration works have improved both the receptivity and the comfort of the Club House. On the course too important improvements have been made, just to name one the automatic sprinkling system, with computerized control which allows a perfect golf game in every season.
The course
From the competition point view, Golf Club Varese is among the top clubs in Italy in terms of championship won by its members both in individual and team events and many championship, national tournaments and finals of important golf circuits have been played on this course which represents an interesting challenge to golf players of any skill. Hole number 10 is a very spectacular hole, with a wonderful view of the Lake and the Alps. The tee-shot is from the top of the hill; the hole is not long, but with woods on both sides of the fairway. An approach shot out of measure could be severely punished.
| Useful informations: | Open throughout the year. Closed on Mondays (with the exception of public holidays) |
| Facilities: | Restaurant, Bar, Pro shop, driving range with 15 covered stations |
| Address: | Via Vittorio Veneto, 32 – 21020 Luvinate (VA) |
Le Robinie Golf Club
At the beginning of the nineties, between Olgiate and Solbiate Olona, Jack Nicklaus found himself looking at approximately seventy hectares of plains set aside for the “Le Robinie” golf courseand had no doubts about what should be done: dig, dig, dig. Hence the creation of that masterpiece of dells, amphitheatres, terraced bunkers and lakes that carry the same signature but this is the only one in Italy – already considered one of the best in Europe. Almost obsessively meticulous, Nicklaus modified and corrected many of the 18 holes until his objective was reached: a demanding but not “punishing” course, where it 9is possible to play at all levels (there are five tee-offs for every hole) and enjoy oneself, whether a beginner or professional.
The course
At “Le Robinie” an attack tactic is advisable for better players but , in order not to run any risks, players can use a defense tactic with good results owing to the fact that the amphitheatre-type shape of almost all the holes allows for a good view of the obstacles. Hole 4 is perhaps the most spectacular hole from an aesthetic point of view. The lake is to the right on the first stroke. A series of very deep bunkers, unique in Europe, can be found on the line of the second stroke, when the player wishes to reach the green. For the better players, although the right shot is slightly more risky, it is undoubtedly exciting. Players who prefer not to risk should play on the left, making the hole longer.
Sardinia
| Useful informations: | Open throughout the year. |
| Facilities: | Restaurant, Bar, TV room, Biliard room, Indoor swimming pool, ymnasium, Saunas and whirlpools, Pro shop, driving range, Pitching green, 6 tennis courts, 2 putting greens, Mini soccer and 2 croquet pitches. |
| Address: | Via per Busto arsizio, 9 – 21058 Solbiate Olona (VA) |
