In 2018 Thorbjørn Olesen won the Italian Open here at 26 under par, and in 1997 Bernhard Langer set the course record of 64. GardaGolf, in Soiano del Lago, is the Brescia club that has hosted three Italian Opens and that since 1986 has laid out its 27 holes on the morainic hills of the Valtènesi.
At a glance
- 27 holes in three nines: White, Red and Yellow, over 110 hectares
- Designed by the British firm Cotton, Pennick, Steel & Partners with Golf & Gardens
- Host of the Italian Opens of 1997, 2003 and 2018 and of the 1993 Kronenbourg Open
- Guests welcome all season, subject to availability; 18 holes from €100 to €160
| Course | Holes | Par | Length | Architect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percorso Bianco | 9 | — | — | — (1986) |
| Percorso Rosso | 9 | — | — | — (1986) |
| Percorso Giallo | 9 | — | — | — (1990) |
- ✓ Driving range
- ✓ Putting green
- ✓ Golf academy
- ✓ Golf carts
- ✓ Trolleys
- ✓ Club rental
- ✓ Pro shop
- ✓ Restaurant
- ✓ Hotel on site
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Gardagolf Country Club, Soiano del Lago
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The course at GardaGolf Country Club: 27 holes on the morainic hills
Work began in 1984 on farmland, vineyards and olive groves bought from the heirs of Angelo Omodeo. The design was entrusted to the British firm Cotton, Pennick, Steel & Partners together with the Italian Golf & Gardens. In 1986 the first 18 holes opened, the White and Red courses; in 1990 came the third nine, the Yellow.
The course covers 110 hectares and alternates flat stretches with the natural slopes of the morainic hills, with cypresses, olive trees, centuries-old oaks, maritime pines and holm oaks marking the holes. From the layout you can see the Rocca di Manerba and the Castello di Soiano, as well as the vineyards of the Valtènesi.
The Yellow has a particular setting: it winds through the ancient park of Villa Omodeo, the mansion of Tenuta Le Posteghe that housed the Ministry of Defence during the Italian Social Republic. In 2024 the club began renovating the bunkers, overseen by the architect Pierfrancesco De Simone, and built a new green at the 7th hole of the White.
Playing at GardaGolf as a guest
The club welcomes outside players: guests are welcome throughout the season, subject to availability. The price list published by the club sets the 18-hole fee at €160 in high season and €100 in low season; for nine holes €90 and €60. Packages are available of 10 rounds for €1,000 and 20 rounds for €1,800. The rates page does not state the year of validity or any difference between weekdays and holidays: it is best to confirm the price with the office on 0365 674707.
Hire includes a golf buggy (€60), electric trolley (€25), manual trolley (€5) and set of clubs (€50); a caddie is also available at €60, and a token for the driving range costs €3.
The club: Italian Opens, clubhouse and restaurant
GardaGolf was born in the early 1980s at the initiative of Riccardo Pisa and Giorgio Simonini. Its honours list is that of a major circuit: the 4th Italian Women's Open in 1990, the Kronenbourg Open of 1993 (Sam Torrance), the 1997 Italian Open (Bernhard Langer), the 2003 one (Mathias Grönberg, 17 under par) and the 2018 edition, the 75th and the first on the Rolex Series.
The clubhouse has panoramic terraces over Lake Garda and separate changing rooms with lockers and showers. The restaurant Bucadiciannove, led by chef Piercarlo Zanotti, serves Brescian and Garda-shore cuisine and overlooks the putting green and the driving range. There are also the pro shop Golf'us, the academy and a small hotel, Maison GardaGolf, with seven double rooms.
Curiosities about GardaGolf Country Club
- Langer's 64. In 1997 Bernhard Langer won the Italian Open and set the course record at 64 strokes.
- Minus 26. In 2018 Thorbjørn Olesen finished the Italian Open 26 strokes under par.
- A nine in a historic park. The Yellow is played in the park of Villa Omodeo, once home to the Ministry of Defence of the RSI.
- A new green. Since 2024 the 7th hole of the White has a rebuilt green.
Practical information
27 holes
Hilly Water hazards Difficulty: Difficult ●●●●● Opened 1986
Architect: Cotton, Pennick, Steel
Tees, ratings and lengths
Red-White
| Tee | Par | CR | Slope | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (Men) | — | — | — | 6,505 m |
| Yellow (Men) | 72 | 72.5 | 141 | 6,055 m |
| Black (Women) | — | — | — | 5,789 m |
| Red (Women) | 72 | 74.3 | 133 | 5,340 m |
Yellow
| Tee | Par | CR | Slope | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow (Men) | 36 | — | — | 2,798 m |
| Red (Women) | 36 | — | — | 2,432 m |
Visitor information
- ✓ Visitors welcome every day
- • Booking required
- • Handicap certificate required
- • Handicap limit: 36
- • Soft spikes required
- • Dogs not allowed
Practice facilities
- ✓ Driving range (50 bays, 12 covered)
- ✓ Putting green
- ✓ Pitching green
- ✓ Chipping green
- ✓ Practice bunker
Club services
- ✓ Bar
- ✓ Birdie card
- ✓ Clubhouse
- ✓ Credit cards accepted
- ✓ Guest locker room
- ✓ Children's playground
- ✓ Meeting room
- ✓ Pro shop
- ✓ Restaurant
- ✓ Snack bar
- ✓ Club rental
- ✓ Electric cart rental
- ✓ Electric trolley rental
- ✓ Electric cart with GPS rental
- ✓ Trolley rental
Club founded in 1985
