One name keeps turning up on Italian courses, an architect little known outside golf: Marco Croze, from Franciacorta, where he worked with Pete Dye, to Versilia, Grado and Jesolo. Here is who laid out the fairways we play.
Ask an Italian golfer who designed his home course, and more often than not the answer will be Marco Croze, whose name recurs on courses from Franciacorta to Metaponto. Behind the geography of Italian golf lies a story of designers, from the English architects of the early twentieth century to the Americans of the 1970s and 1990s.
The pioneers: Peter Gannon and the clubs of the North
The 1920s and 1930s are dominated by Peter Gannon, whose name is tied to historic clubs such as the Golf Alpino di Stresa (work begun in 1924), the Villa d'Este at Montorfano (1926), the Golf Club Milano in Monza Park (1928), Sanremo (1932), Ugolino in Florence (1934, with Cecil Blandford) and Courmayeur. Three of these courses have together hosted twenty-four editions of the Italian Open. Even on his nationality, the accounts do not agree.
The postwar English: Harris, Cotton, Morrison
After the war the hand is still British. John Harris (his courses include Menaggio, La Pinetina, Albarella, Le Fronde, Padova, Udine) and John Morrison together signed Garlenda in 1964, the Ligurian course with the "Amen Corner" at the 11th. Morrison also designed, on his own, Torino La Mandria (1956), with its par-72 Blu course.
Behind the name Cotton stand several signatures: C.K. Cotton, Ken Cotton, the firm Cotton, Pennink & Partners. The most scenic is the Circolo Golf Venezia at the Alberoni, between the Adriatic and the lagoon, attributed to C.K. Cotton: the first nine holes were laid out by the Scotsman Cruikshank, with work begun in 1928. The firm also appears at Is Molas, at Ca' degli Ulivi on Lake Garda and at Gardagolf.
Marco Croze: from Franciacorta to Metaponto
Marco Croze has signed, alone or with others, courses across half of Italy, from the Matilde di Canossa of 1987 (where the Quaresimo stream comes into play on six holes) to Versilia, Grado, Jesolo and Metaponto. At the Franciacorta Golf Club, opened in July 1986, he worked with the American Pete Dye: the three nines are named after as many Franciacorta wine styles (Brut, Satèn, Rosé) and spread over 80 hectares of woodland and vineyards.
The Americans: Trent Jones, Fazio, Palmer, Dye
In 1971 the Agnelli family entrusted Robert Trent Jones Sr. with Royal Park I Roveri; since 1972 the Pevero on the Costa Smeralda has carried the signature of Robert Trent Jones.
Marco Simone and Olgiata recall the Fazio family. Marco Simone began with Jim Fazio and was completely rebuilt by Tom Fazio II and European Golf Design for the 2023 Ryder Cup. Arnold Palmer signed Tolcinasco (1993, 36 holes, five Italian Opens since 2004 according to Top100GolfCourses), Ca' della Nave and Le Pavoniere. Pete Dye appears at Franciacorta, and his son PB Dye designed Parco di Roma in 1999.
At Arzaga on Lake Garda, Jack Nicklaus II (18 holes, par 72) and Gary Player (nine holes) live side by side, while Bernhard Langer signed the Modena Golf & Country Club (1990).
Kyle Phillips and Verdura: a links in Sicily
A recent chapter is Verdura, from 2010: Kyle Phillips, the architect of Kingsbarns, laid out two 18-hole championship courses, East and West, plus a par-3 nine, over 570 acres with 1.2 miles of private coastline. The hotel is the Verdura Resort; for Arzaga there is the QC Grand Hotel Villa Arzaga.
Table: the architects and their courses in Italy
| Architect | Some of the courses they signed |
|---|---|
| Peter Gannon | Golf Alpino di Stresa, Villa d'Este, Golf Club Milano, Sanremo, Ugolino |
| John Harris | Garlenda (with John Morrison), Menaggio, La Pinetina, Albarella, Padova |
| Cotton (various signatures) | Circolo Golf Venezia, Is Molas, Ca' degli Ulivi, Gardagolf |
| Marco Croze | Franciacorta (with Pete Dye), Matilde di Canossa, Versilia, Grado, Jesolo |
| Robert Trent Jones | Royal Park I Roveri, Pevero |
| Fazio (Jim, Tom II) | Marco Simone, Olgiata |
| Arnold Palmer | Tolcinasco, Ca' della Nave, Le Pavoniere |
| Kyle Phillips | Verdura |
Frequently asked questions
Who is Marco Croze?+
An Italian architect little known outside golf who has signed, alone or with others, courses such as the Matilde di Canossa (1987), Versilia, Grado, Jesolo and Metaponto. At the Franciacorta Golf Club, opened in 1986, he worked with Pete Dye.
Who designed the 2023 Ryder Cup course?+
Marco Simone began with Jim Fazio and was completely renovated by Tom Fazio II and European Golf Design for the Ryder Cup of September 2023.
When was Peter Gannon's Golf Alpino di Stresa founded?+
Work began in 1924 and the opening came in September 1925.
Who designed Verdura?+
Kyle Phillips, the architect of Kingsbarns: 36 holes plus a par-3 nine, opened in 2010.
Are there Jack Nicklaus courses in Italy?+
Yes: Jack Nicklaus II signed the 18-hole course at Arzaga, on Lake Garda, and Jack Nicklaus appears at Le Robinie, in Solbiate Olona.
Who designed Pevero?+
Robert Trent Jones, in 1972; the club does not specify whether father or son.
