Circolo Golf Venezia, Italy

Legend has it that Circolo Golf Venezia was suggested in 1926 by  Henry Ford, President of the Ford Motor Company of America, he was a guest at the exclusive Hotel Excelsior on the Lido, Venice and included in his personal luggage was, naturally, his golf clubs and equipment, the sport of Golf being most popular in America, but yet virtually unknown in Italy. Henry Ford was surprised not to find a golf course and convinced his great friend Italian Count Volpi to Build Italy’s first golf course.

This very particular golf course is one of the most important courses in Italy and is situated at the extreme south of the Venice Lido Island between the sea and the lagoon. The 9 holes course was founded in 1928, and designed by Robert Cruickshank and after the II World War it was extended to 18holes by C.K. Cotton, later it was by Marco Croze. This par 72 course is placed on sand dunes the course is one of the very few “links” in the country; the rough with a sandy bottom requires demanding shots. The greens are wide with some interesting slopes, and natural sand in the bunkers making the play quite difficult.

The departure of the 1st hole is situated above antic Venetian forts, whose walls are elements of numerous holes and therefore offer varied scenery.  Famous golfers played the course: such as Arnold Palmer (5 under par), Henry Cotton, Johnny Miller, Severiano Ballesteros, Tony Jacklin, Lee Treviso and many more.