Golf Club Varese is making its debut on the Challenge Tour Schedule this week, so europeantour.com found out more about the course the players will face in the Challenge Provincia di Varese…
The par 70, 6,433-yards layout has been open since 1934 and is described as “a classic old-fashioned” course, which also has the benefit of being extremely picturesque.
With views over several of the lakes for which northern Italy is famous, the fairways are lined by old trees and flowers, and the greens are very small. Indeed, European Tour referee Mark Litton described the sixth as the smallest green he has ever seen, so the hole will pose a tough test despite being only a 295-yard par four.
The tenth is the club’s signature hole, a downhill 374-yard par four with magnificent views over the Alps and Lake Varese, and the entire course is suited to players who are accurate and able to shape the ball rather than hit it long distances off the tee.
The majority of holes have out of bounds down the right-hand side, so right-handed players who are prone to slicing the ball will have problems.
The beauty of the course is matched by the unique clubhouse, which is an ancient Benedictine monastery dating back to the 11th century. It was built by the Magistri Comacini – medieval stonemasons in the region of Lombardy – and occupied by nuns until the 15th century.
The original style and brickwork have been retained, as has a cloister and bell tower dating back to 1400, but it has been renovated into a stunning clubhouse with a picturesque terrace overlooking the 18th green and practice putting area.
As there has never been a Challenge Tour event here before, it is difficult to gauge what the winning score will be, but if tournaments on other short courses are anything to go by, it may well be low.
Stand by for birdies a-plenty this week…
