The highest golf course in Europe is being expanded from nine to 18 holes.

Originally built in 1955 by Donald Harradine, Golf Club de Cervino, located at over 2,100m in the Valle d'Aosta in Italy, close to the Matterhorn mountain (Cervino is the Italian name for the mountain) is being enlarged because of the demand from golfers. Italian architect Luigi Rota Caremoli is designing the new holes.

"The project involved rebuilding two holes of the existing course, so next June the course will have 18 holes in play, 11 of which are new," said Caremoli. "On the other holes, some new bunkers have been added in strategic positions. The new holes are quite flat, as they are being developed at the foot of the Cervino mountain, close to the River Marmore."

The completed 18 hole course project will reach 5,305 metres (5,800 yards) and play to a par of 69 and a slope rating of 129. "It's a natural course, and very exciting with the Cervino in view covered with snow and ice," said Caremoli. "The features of each holes are natural elements: river, ditches, rocks, trees and flowers. The greens are undulating and built to USGA specs." It will be the first 18 hole course in the Valle d'Aosta region.

This article first appeared in issue 15 of Golf Course Architecture, published in January 2009.