Golf Club Villa Carolina

Villa Carolina offers two 18-hole courses, both par 72, in the hills of Ovada. La Marchesa, designed by the American firm Cornish & Silva, measures 6,365 metres and sits naturally in the hilly landscape: wide fairways, intelligently placed bunkers, well-defended greens where reading the ground and tactics count. Water comes into play on about eight holes. There are par 3s with elevated tees at the 3rd, 5th, 12th and 17th, par 5s with doglegs and water hazards at the 2nd, 8th and 15th, and the finish comes scenically toward the clubhouse.

Paradiso, signed by Graham Cooke, is 6,075 metres long and has a more dynamic character: narrow fairways, deep bunkers, waste areas and raised greens call for creative shots, adapted to the conditions of the day. The 10th, a downhill par 4, stands out; the round ends with a short par 3, with out of bounds on the right.

The website’s price list, which gives no year, shows €60 on weekdays and €100 at weekends and on public holidays for 18 holes; for nine holes €40 and €60. Frequent players can buy ten green fees for €550 (weekdays) or €900 (weekends and public holidays). The golf cart costs €50 for 18 holes and €30 for nine, an electric trolley €20 and €15, a hand trolley €5. Rates may vary during competitions and events.

The required handicap and the closing day are not stated: to check them, and to book a tee time, you can call 0143 467355 or write to [email protected].

The club was founded in 1991, according to the Piedmont Region, and since 2014 has had two championship courses. The clubhouse has a panoramic bar overlooking the 18th hole, a card room, a billiards table, a terrace for aperitifs, a swimming pool, a gym and two tennis courts. The restaurant is reserved for members and guests; at the resort there is also the St. George restaurant.

The academy is run by PGA professionals and offers individual lessons, themed clinics (bunker play, putting, course management) and a junior club.

• Two schools of design. La Marchesa is American, by Cornish & Silva; Paradiso is by Graham Cooke.
• The 2014 doubling. That year the club went from one course to two 18-hole courses.
• A finish at the clubhouse. The 18th of La Marchesa runs toward the clubhouse, and the bar looks right onto the final hole.