Lombardia, Italy
The Red Course at Golf Club Monticello is a 6,410-meter, par-72 layout that has consistently ranked among the top courses in Italy. It has hosted seven editions of the Italian Open, with a winning record that includes Billy Casper, Sandy Lyle, and Greg Norman. The course is known for its technical demands and strategic complexity. The opening hole is a straightforward par-4, but the fairway splits into distinct landing zones, while the green is divided by a steep step that often complicates putting. The second hole is a delicate par-4 where a hidden stream on the left and a dense grove of trees on the right leave no margin for error. The front nine features a mix of long par-5s and challenging par-4s. Hole four is a difficult par-5 with a pronounced dogleg right, where players must avoid the tall trees on the right side and the bunkers on the left. The fifth hole is a delicate par-4 with a bean-shaped, shallow green, where staying left on the fairway is crucial. Hole six is a short but tricky par-4 where a lake runs along the left side for the first 220 meters, and a small plateau green makes approach shots difficult. The seventh hole is a long par-3, considered one of the most difficult in Italy, with a green protected by water that catches any ball landing on the hard, sloping terrain to the left. The back nine continues the challenge with water hazards and narrow fairways. Hole nine is a technical par-5 where a drive too far right results in being blocked by trees, while a large lake on the right side of the green is hard to see from distance. Hole eleven is a par-5 cut by a stream, with a narrow fairway that punishes inaccurate drives with water on the right and thick rough on the left. The course also features a Blue Course, described as a parkland layout that offers a different technical challenge. The Blue Course includes a long par-4 second hole with a fairway lined by large cypress trees, and a difficult par-3 eighth hole with a shallow, bunker-protected green. The facility includes a practice area managed by the Eagle Golf Academy, which has been used by professional players such as Matteo Manassero. The courses are located near Milan and Lake Como, offering a setting that combines natural landscape with rigorous golf design. The Red Course remains the primary venue for major tournaments, while the Blue Course provides a technical alternative for players of varying abilities.
Mid-Am Golf Trophy - Monticello