Italian News Headlines 26-09-2023 - Cosa Nostra mafia boss, Messina Denaro, has died of colon cancer at the age of 62. He was being held in a maximum security prison after 30 years on the run. He was responsible for dozens of murders including those of anti-mafia magistrates, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino --- Giorgio Napolitano, the only Italian President to be elected twice, has died in Rome at the age of 98 --- Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, met with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on the Italian island of Lampedusa to discuss the European refugee crisis after more than 7,000 migrants arrived from Tunisia in a single week --- Venetian authorities vote to introduce 'ticket only' access to the city from 2024 --- A man who posted a video of himself carving his name into the wall of the Colosseum, while his girlfriend watched, has been identified as living in Britain --- Following the death of Silvio Berlusconi, on June 12th, Antonio Tajani will be appointed the new president of Forza Italia --- Silvio Berlusconi, 4 times Italian prime minister, has died at the age of 86 from complications resulting from Leukaemia --- Extreme weather in Emilia-Romagna has led to 14 dead and 35,000 displaced. There are 500 roads closed and over over 300 sites at risk of landslides --- Two new victims of the Vesuvius eruption in 79AD have been discovered during excavations in Pompei
Golf in Italy, golfing italy, italian golf, golf courses in italy, italian golf clubs, golf holidays italy, golf tourism

Italians love sport, and they're good at it. Think of Italy and think of football, cycling, fast cars, fast motorbikes, skiing, speed skating and other winter sports. You may not know that Italians are also exceptionally good at basketball, volleyball, athletics and watersports. They perform well in tennis and the national rugby team is improving annually.

Quite obviously, Italians really do love their sport - so what about golf? Historically, golf in Italy dates back more than a hundred years but it has somehow just not caught on in the way that it has in countries like the United Kingdom and United States. In these countries golf is played both as a sport and a social medium and many of the clubs are oversubscribed.

Looking at the list of sports in which Italians are high achievers the most obvious thought is that they only seem to enjoy lively, fast and physical activities. Perhaps the patience required to hit that perfect shot and the time it takes to get around the golf course are all too much for the average energetic, excitable Italian. It could also be that the outdoors, Mediterranean lifestyle leaves them feeling that they don't need an excuse to get out in the fresh air and socialise with like-minded people. After all, particularly in the countryside, they are surrounded by their families, mostly eat outside and a lot of them spend all day working outside too. Then of course, in the evening, there is the famous daily passagiata in which they stroll along the streets and piazzas chatting to relations, friends and neighbours.

There are quite a few very good golf courses in beautiful settings all over Italy and golf is played, but, perhaps for the reasons above it is just not that popular. It is interesting to note that many of the most popular golf courses in Italy are located near to major cities, and there are many more in the industrial north than in the south. It could be that one of the reasons for playing golf is in order to wind down after a hard day in a high powered job. That lifestyle does not exist in most of Italy, particularly southern Italy where life is slower, more relaxed and pretty much unchanged.

In spite of the lack of enthusiasm for the sport Italy has managed to produce some first class golfers. One of the most successful male golfers Italy has produced is Costantino Rocca, born in 1956 and now playing in the European Seniors Tour. There are the two brothers Eduardo and Francesco Molinari from Turin, both of whom have won individual titles and as a pair won the World Cup of Golf in 2009. The most recent up and coming Italian golfer is the young Matteo Manassero who, at the age of 16, became the youngest ever winner of the British Amateur Championship.

The Italian Open (BMW Italian Open) for men has been held annually since it was founded in 1925 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since 1972. It is played during the month of June at the Royal Park Golf and Country Club near Turin.

Perhaps golf will really take off in Italy one day and then, no doubt, they will become champions of that sport too. Meanwhile, Italy is becoming a very popular destination for golfing holidays as the generally mild climate makes it possible to play golf all year round. Italy is home to some excellent golf courses, including some designed by famous names such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones. Nearly all of the golf courses in Italy are set in breathtaking scenery and some of the courses are quite challenging. Add to this the fact that the major courses are usually within easy reach of a major city which offers plenty of art, history, culture and good food for days off the golf course. You can also check Modesto Muni Golf for tips on the best golf socks.

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Golf in Italy, golfing italy, italian golf, golf courses in italy, italian golf clubs, golf holidays italy, golf tourism

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