The Road to Mallorca heads to Italy for the Italian Challenge Open at Golf Nazionale. Here’s everything you need to know for the week ahead.
Golf Nazionale
Golf Nazionale, home of the Italian Golf Federation technical centre, will be the venue for the first two days of the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup on Tuesday September 26 and Wednesday September 27, before the competition moves to Marco Simone Golf & Country Club for the decisive single matches.
Golf Nazionale, located near the city of Rome, is recognised as one of the best golf courses in continental Europe and one of the most challenging courses in Italy, which follows the natural undulations of the hilly terrain. Golf Nazionale provides a true test of golf for the highest calibre of golfer due to the deep rough, undulated greens, water features and numerous strategically placed bunkers. Players must also consider the sharp elevation changes which bring about some spectacular views over the Lazio countryside.
The course was designed by Jim Fazio, with the help of the Italian architect David Mezzacane and opened in 1990. In 1991 the course hosted the World Cup of Golf which saw Swedish duo Anders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson claim victory by one stroke over Welsh pair Ian Woosnam and Phillip Price.
History of the Italian Challenge Open
The Italian Challenge Open has provided the European Challenge Tour with memorable moments throughout the years and last year Norwegian Kristian Krogh Johannessen secured a maiden victory at Golf Nazionale on his way to securing promotion to the DP World Tour.
In 2021 Ricardo Gouveia became the first man to win the event twice. The Portuguese posted a seven under par final round of 64 to triumph at Margara Golf Club, seven years on from winning the 2014 edition at Olgiata Golf Club in just his seventh event as a professional.
2023 European Ryder Cup Vice Captain Edoardo Molinari secured his third Challenge Tour title of the 2009 season at the Italian Challenge Open, after winning the Piemonte Open and Kazakhstan Open earlier in the year. The Italian went on to top the Challenge Tour Rankings in 2009 with a then-record season total of €242,979 earnings for the year.
The Italian went on to play in the 2010 victorious Ryder Cup team, alongside his younger brother Francesco at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales and capture three DP World Tour titles.
Large prize fund
There is a €350,000 prize fund available at the Italian Challenge Open, which is the biggest Challenge Tour prize pool this season excluding the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A. This week gives players the chance to make a significant climb up the Road to Mallorca Rankings to secure a top 20 finish and therefore DP World Tour playing rights for the 2024 season.
Irrigation optimisation
Golf Nazionale has invested in a superb new irrigation system which optimises the use of water across the golf course. The increase in temperatures and lack of rainfall means that energy bills are currently one of the main costs of golf courses, so having an efficient pumping system is essential.
