In 1987 Laura Davies won the first women's Italian Open at Croara, despite an 8 on the 17th hole. Since then a tournament that has changed venue several times has left a map of Italian clubs, from Lignano to Il Picciolo.
Anyone searching for “women's golf in Italy” mostly finds figures and proper names. There is, however, another thread to follow: the courses where professionals have actually played, which recall on their own websites the women's tournaments they have hosted.
How many women play golf in Italy
According to an Italpress article of 16 October 2015, on 31 December 2014 the Italian Golf Federation had 91,713 registered members, of whom 23,723 were women and 8,913 juniors: a little over a quarter. The figures are more than ten years old, useful as an order of magnitude.
The women's Italian Open: where it has been played
The Ladies Italian Open has been played since 1987 on the European circuit; according to Wikipedia the first edition was held at Croara and won by Laura Davies. The venues have changed several times.
| Year | Club | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Croara (Gazzola) | Club; Wikipedia |
| 1988 | Ca' della Nave (Martellago) | Club: opened with the Open |
| 1990 | Gardagolf (Soiano del Lago) | Club: 4th women's Open |
| 1991 | Albarella (Rosolina) | Club: 5th BMW Ladies Open |
| 1993-1994 | Lignano | Club |
| 1995-1997, 2011 | Il Picciolo (Etna) | Club: Sicilian Ladies Italian Open |
| 2021-2022 | Margara (Fubine) | Club: two Ladies Italian Opens |
| 2024 | Golf Nazionale (Sutri) | Wikipedia |
Some episodes are told by the clubs themselves. At Croara, on the 17th hole, Laura Davies made a “disastrous” 8 during the first Open. Ca' della Nave, the first of the three courses Arnold Palmer designed in Italy, was inaugurated in 1988 with the tournament itself. At Gardagolf, which commemorates the 4th women's Open of 1990, the roll of honour also includes the men's Italian Open of 1997, 2003 and 2018. Albarella hosted the fifth BMW Ladies Open in 1991. At Lignano the women's Italian Open was played in 1993 and 1994 among the pines. Il Picciolo, on Etna, held the Sicilian Ladies Italian Open from 1995 to 1997 and in 2011.
Beyond the Open: the Vagliano Trophy, European and national championships
The golf resort at Bogogno hosted the Vagliano Trophy in 2017, the match between the women's selections of Great Britain and Ireland and of Continental Europe. Royal Park I Roveri, near Turin, hosted the 2021 European Ladies' Amateur. Pevero recalls the 1981 International Ladies Championship, and Rivieragolf the 38th International Women's Senior Amateur Championship. On the national front, at Terre dei Consoli the 2021 Women's National Championship was won by Benedetta Moresco; Matilde di Canossa announced in 2025 that it would host the Seniors & Ladies championship and the Under-18 Women's National Match Play Championship.
Playing like a lady: tees, ladies' days and prices
A course is never the same length for everyone. In the data published by the clubs the rating changes with the tee, and the women's distances are shorter.
| Club | Metres from the men's tees | Metres from the women's tees |
|---|---|---|
| Menaggio e Cadenabbia | 5,482 | 4,839 |
| Udine | 6,062 | 5,257 |
| Saluzzo | 6,005 | 5,270 |
| Bogliaco | 5,235 | 4,625 |
| St. Vigil Seis | 5,017 | 4,532 |
At Golf Club Udine the Tuesday Ladies Day costs 50 euros for 18 holes, at Grado the “Lady Tuesday” 45; at Pra' delle Torri, in the 2026 price list, there are a Senior Day and a Lady Day. At Petersberg Ladies Days are in the calendar, and Lanzo and Panorama Varese have women's sections. Price lists without a year should be confirmed with the club office.
Course rating and slope: men and women compared
Besides length, the course rating and slope change, the values used to measure the difficulty of a course. From the men's and women's tees the clubs publish different numbers: at Verona 73.7 with a slope of 142 for men and 75 with a slope of 134 for women; at Garlenda 72.0 and 133 against 73.6 and 130; at Udine 73 and 136 against 73.7 and 129; at Pra' delle Torri 71.3 and 129 against 73.5 and 124. In all these cases the women's rating is higher and the slope lower. It is worth looking at the numbers for your own tee before choosing where to play.
Golf and wellness: three addresses
For those who want to combine the course with a hotel with a spa, Terme di Saturnia offers a Swing & Spa programme with lessons and treatments. The Picciolo Etna Golf Resort stands beside the course of the Sicilian Ladies Italian Open. The Grand Hotel Fasano, on Lake Garda, reserves the saunas and the steam room for women from 11 am to 1 pm.
Curiosities
- An 8 on the 17th. At Croara Laura Davies made an 8 on the 17th hole in the first women's Open.
- Ca' della Nave. It opened in 1988 with a women's Italian Open.
- Two Ladies Italian Opens at Margara. The Piedmont club has also hosted 22 editions of the Challenge Tour.
- The Rapallo record. Nobody has played below 63 on the Rapallo course.
Frequently asked questions
When was the women's Italian Open born?+
The Ladies Italian Open has been played since 1987; according to Wikipedia the first edition was held at Croara and won by Laura Davies.
Where was the latest Ladies Italian Open played?+
According to Wikipedia, in 2024 at Golf Nazionale in Sutri; for 2026 Golf Club Milano is listed.
How many women golfers are there in Italy?+
On 31 December 2014 registered women numbered 23,723 out of 91,713 members, according to Italpress. The figure is dated.
Who won the 2021 Women's National Championship?+
Benedetta Moresco, on the Terre dei Consoli course.
Are the women's tees shorter?+
Yes, at every club compared: at Udine, for example, 5,257 metres against 6,062 from the men's tees.
Do clubs have days dedicated to women?+
Yes, for example the Tuesday Ladies Day at Udine (50 euros for 18 holes) or the “Lady Tuesday” at Grado (45 euros).
