Italy

golf travel 3 Generation Challenge Version II – Italy

View from the top of the volcano rim. Clubhouse at Marco Simone Country Club

Number 7, Par 4 - Major risk-reward on this hole at Marco Simone. Over the creek or short

The tradition began with a trip to Sicily to see our son and his family in 2018. While we were there, Chase (Grandson), Travis (Son) and I, decided to play golf and create this generational challenge. That inaugural event was at Siracusa Golf Monasteri (Golf Central Magazine - Volume 19, Issue 2) and would lead to an eye-opening experience for me that had to be repeated. Thanks to the pandemic, this wasn’t possible until just a few weeks ago. The trip back to Italy that was planned 8 months ago, once the Italian travel restrictions began to free up. But where to play? Well… it was obvious to me… “When close to Rome… do what the Romans would do,” and go play Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, in Guidonia, Rome, 10 miles from the city center. There is the 18-hole Championship Course and an additional 9-hole Resort Course that is being built now on the grounds. After attending and covering the 2021 Ryder Cup event for Golf Central Magazine at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin, having the opportunity to play the golf course and see the beauty that surrounds these magnificent courses, I knew it had to be Marco Simone and experience this course a year before the 2023 Ryder Cup. There

is a whole lot of different views that you receive when there are no grandstands, and it is just YOU against the golf course. Open to the public, Marco Simone is an incredible track to play. “Have plenty of golf balls with you… OR… hit the ball very straight… there aren’t too many other options.” We found that there were several blind shot holes, both off the tee and approach shots, and not having prior knowledge… we Panoramic View of the volcano rim at Country Club of Castelgandolfo

Need a lift between 9s to the top of the rim… Ring for the Caddie Master for a shuttle ride.

Hard to stay focused with the surroundings for Chase. found ourselves in trouble, looking for golf balls in the deep rough often. There are a few “Risk – Reward” holes… but weighing the Risk we were playing more conservative… Although… at one point, I remember barrowing the quote from Fuzzy Zoeller as I responded to Chase when he asked if I would play short of the lake on a par 5… “I didn’t come here to lay-up.” It was a memorable moment for sure… as I dropped at the edge of the lake to play my fourth shot into the par 5. Worst part about it, is when he asked… “who is Fuzzy Zoeller?” Ouch… must be a generational thing! In the 1970’s Italian High Fashion Designer, Laura Biagiotti, and her husband Gianni Cigna purchased the property to restore the 15th Century Castle located on this magnificent

Par 5, 9th green from across the creek in the back of the green. property. By 1989 the golf course had been designed and built with the castle being the focal point that is seen on virtually every hole. The architects were Jim Fazio and Italian David Mezzacane. Marco Simone Golf Course was the venue of the 1994 and 2021 Italian Open Golf Championships, which were won by Eduardo Romero from Argentina and Danish professional golfer Nicolai Højgaard respectively. The second stop of the 3 Generation Challenge

We played at the Country Club of Castelgandolfo. A unique to the world golf course… Castelgandolfo was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Information boosts… 18 holes, 3 lakes, and 93 bunkers… so what makes it so unique? It is designed inside an extinct volcano. The original residence on the rim of the volcano was built in the seventeenth century was commissioned by Cardinal Flavio Chigi and now adds to the flavor of the experience as the clubhouse. A spectacular experience to add to your bucket list while you are in Rome.

Panoramic view of the 11th green back down through the valley to the clubhouse.

Recap of Italy!

If you are going to the 2023 Ryder Cup. Once you are in Rome… Don’t Drive! Leave that to the Italians. Not even New York Taxi drivers would have a chance in the countryside of Rome! If you ever have the opportunity to take a 3rd or maybe even 4th Generation Challenge… Take it! Don’t hold back. These are experiences that will last a lifetime for the entire family. What’s Next?

Coming to America! Sorry… had to barrow that line for a fun movie. Our family will reconnect at the French Lick Resort in Indiana for the US Version of the 3 Generation Challenge. Playing the Donald Ross Golf Course, built in 1917 with the famous “False Front” greens, while we are attending the LPGA Epson Tour event in August at French Lick. “Catch you on the Fairway!”

Height of the rough and color splattered throughout with wildflowers. Headed home to the 18th… a real test. You can only see a few of the bunkers from this view.

3 Generation Challenge 2022 Italy (L to R) Greg, Chase, and Travis Wise.