Golf Club Bergamo L'Albenza Almenno San Bartolomeo

Acknowledged for years as one of the best Italian golf courses, “L’Albenza” – as it is generally known among the golfers – nestles in the hills surrounding Bergamo, one of the most famous cities for art. A large-scale parkland, which stretches along pine and broadleaf woods, where Costantino Rocca, pride of Italian Golf with his five triumphs on the European Tour and the three Ryder Cup’s ventures in the Nineties, took his first steps a s a golfer and grow to be such a great champion.. The high-level technical side of the course doesn’t spoil the pleasure of a game among friends on the 27 holes of the three golf courses, created in different ages: Cotton & Sutton in 1961 started to plan the first 18 (Blue and Yellow) sponsored by a group of local entrepreneurs, with a British-style course. Springs and streams offer natural water hazards while the undulating ground provides the right action to the fairways, the holes are naturally above ground, the abundant vegetation assures coolness even in the hottest months. On this course was held the 53rd Italian open in 1996, won by Jim Payne. Meanwhile, in 1988 the last 9 holes were born, the “Red” course, designed by the Australian Tom Linskey, coach and mentor of Rocca- and by the Venetian architect Marco Croze. Nothing more soothing, at the end of the game, than a drink on the terrace of the clubhouse or inside, in front of the large windows, enjoying a magnificent view on the course. Technical Details Course : 3 x 9 holes, Par 36 each 6082 meters Architect : Cotton & Sutton (18 holes), Marco Croze & Tom Linkskey (9 holes) Topography : tipical anglo-saxon style, many water obstacles Special features : the great presence of trees makes the game on this course very pleasant, especially during summertime. The 9 holes course is not so easy as the 18 holes : the isolated greens, and the thick woods which line in the fairways and a Par 5 of more then 500 meters require great skill Pro’s comments It’s on the 8th of the Blue course that you can notice the difference between an attacking player and a more conservative one. The second shot towards a very narrow green is guarded by a water hazard and has to be played downhill; dexterity and perfect technical movement is mandatory here! I advise the mid to high hcp level player to take a second shot to the right, in order to comfortably reach the green with the third shot.