During the week that the European Tour visits the 2018 Ryder Cup host venue Le Golf National for the 100th Open de France, European Tour Properties will announce the 2022 host venue Marco Simone Golf & Country Club as the latest European Tour Destination.
The addition of Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Originally, it was designed by Tom Fazio. However, it will be ‘completely reconstructed’ before the Ryder Cup. It is most likely to be done by the European Golf Design that is half owned by the European Tour) to the exclusive network – of which Paris’ Le Golf National is also a member – means that both of the next European hosts of golf’s greatest team event are now part of the European Tour Properties.
It is less known about the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club that they are participating in GEO’s OnCourse program. It is a good sign that the club management pays attention to such sustainability areas as nature, water, energy, supply chain, pollution control etc.
Franco Chimenti, president of the Federazione Italiana Golf (FIG), said: “The European Tour’s decision brings further prestige to Marco Simone as well as recognising the great work Laura and Lavinia Biagiotti are doing with great passion and enthusiasm. The road to The Ryder Cup starts in the best of ways for Marco Simone, making it even more attractive and helping make Italy one of the most interesting places for golf tourism.”
Despite the great location, I think Gardagolf Country Club would be a much better choice, since it as a more experienced golf club as the former host of the Italian Open (1997. 2003) + its location is also attractive. This kind of effort reminds me the Bulgarian Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort.
How could Marco Simone Golf & Country Club better succeed?
- State support: Alone will not be able to achieve to add Italy and their golf club to their “consideration set“.
- Education: foster the discovery of their golf club (e.g. via YouTube (e.g. Golfing World), Tripadvisor, Instagram, Facebook, Golf Monthly, Golf Digest, airport outdoor media etc.)
- Sponsorship of well-known Italian PGA Tour Player (e.g. Matteo Manassero) who are ready to walk the talk and explain either on TV, offline media, but also in social media.
