Circolo del Golf di Roma Acquasanta
| Circolo del Golf di Roma Acquasanta | |
|---|---|
 Green 17 |
|
| Place data | |
| Coordinates: | 41 ° 50 '54 " N , 12 ° 32' 18.6" E |
| Playable since: | 1903 |
| Architect: | |
| Extensions: | |
| Par: | 71 |
| Length: | 5854 meters |
| CR / Slope : |
71.8 / 135 |
| Character: | Parkland |
The Circolo del Golf di Roma Acquasanta is the oldest golf course in Italy. It is also characterized by its location on a formerly sacred site in the middle of ancient ruins.
history
Rome became the capital of Italy in 1871, which resulted in the establishment of foreign diplomatic missions. As in other countries, the Anglo-Saxon permanent guests, especially the employees of the embassies, subsequently created a nucleus for golf. Until 1929, all of the club's documents were written in English and meetings were held in the British or American embassies. The first surviving document that proves the existence of a golf club comes from January 12, 1903. However, it shows that the club already had a gaming committee and statutes, so that the date of establishment is probably even longer.
Also in 1903 a Dr. Arthur Flach at a meeting on a site suitable for the construction of a golf course. It should be three kilometers from the Porta Maggiore near the “holy water” and offer enough space for a golf course, clubhouse and a croquet and tennis court . A local milkman was reportedly ready to handle transportation between the golf course and town. In addition, the club members were promised a special atmosphere, as the slightly hilly landscape was crossed by the small river Almone and afforded various views, such as the aqueduct of Claudius , the Via Appia Antica and the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella . Even San Giovanni in Laterano and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica are said to have been visible. The name Acquasanta (holy water) is derived from a Roman rite that lasted until the end of antiquity. The Almone river was worshiped as a quasi-deity and a procession was held annually on March 27, during which ritual implements were washed in its water.
The granting of royal patronage and thus the use of the adjective "real" (royal) in the name failed in 1910 despite the consent of the Italian king due to the resistance of a single member who remained anonymous. For this, the course was expanded from 9 to 18 holes in 1913 and the clubhouse was enlarged. In the 1920s the course was expanded again, so that 9 holes got irrigation for the greens. The transformation into an Italian club came to an end in 1930 when Alfredo di Carpegna, the first Italian president, took over the business. The construction of today's clubhouse also fell during this period.
When the fascists came to power, Mussolini's confidante and later Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano took command of the club. In addition to some construction work on the clubhouse and the Italianization of golf terms, he is said to have distinguished himself in particular through his poor golf game, so that the caddies had particular trouble "finding" his balls in a playable position. In January 1944, the Wehrmacht occupied the square and the clubhouse, but did not cause any major damage. The allied bombers also refrained from attacking the German positions, according to club history a deliberate protection of the "only 18-hole course south of Florence" by British pilots who are enthusiastic about golf. In fact, gaming was resumed shortly after the Americans were liberated in June. As a result, the course enjoyed great popularity with the occupiers, but members were also allowed to continue to play.
In 1968 the unpopular buildings of the Ciano were demolished and there was renewed construction work on the clubhouse. In 1972 land was bought for the last time, the tennis court fell victim to a parking lot in 1986.
Golf aspects
character
Acquasanta is a classic parkland course based on the English model, but with Mediterranean vegetation. In particular, the many umbrella pines characterize the picture, but elms and poplars have also been planted. The Almone stream, a tributary of the Tiber , meanders through the slightly hilly topography and comes into play at 8 holes. The often heavily moved fairways are wide and allow a strategic game, which is also favored by the almost complete absence of rough. The overall very variable layout is completed by mostly large and undulating greens.
So the technically most prominent feature here is balance. Almost every golf set piece occurs, be it raised or blind tees, ditches, ponds, hedges, trees blocking the direct path or greens set in the forest. The relatively flat and inconspicuous bunkers, like all other architectural elements, are used extremely carefully, so that despite all the diversity, a rather reserved, but always well-groomed appearance is conveyed.
The sporting challenge naturally takes a back seat, Acquasanta lives primarily from the timeless look of a time-honored parkland course and can in this respect be compared to the best courses in England.
The course record is 63, set in 1967 by Roberto Bernardini and equalized in 1968 by amateur Angelo Croce.
Special landmarks
The club, which was initially founded in a quiet location at the gates of Rome, is now located in the middle of the city, still within the ring road. The Quarto Miglio district grew around the complex, so that Acquasanta is one of the few golf courses in the world today that is centrally located. Due to the brisk urban development, however, the noise level increased and some views, such as that of the tomb of Caecilia Metella, were lost. However, the aqueduct of Claudius can still be seen from several parts of the square.
The dog cemetery, which was created by members in the early days of the company, is a curiosity. Acquasanta was one of the few golf courses in Italy where dogs were allowed. After Galeazzo Chiano destroyed the area, allegedly out of superstition, it was restored in the 1950s.
photos
Green 1 is guarded by two branches of the Almone, in the background the main branch lined with poplars.
The third tee is to be played blindly between the pine trees on an elevated fairway that slopes to the left.
Tee 4 on the fairway on the right, in the background on the left the aqueduct of Claudius.
The 8th green is defended by a false front that hides a wide and extremely deep trench.
The moving fairway of hole 9 requires a long and precise tee-off.
View from the 10th green: the golf course is now in the middle of the city.
Tee 18 over the Almone on a fairway lined with pine and cypress trees. The clubhouse can be seen in the background.
Web links
Competition venues for the 1960 Summer Olympics
