Interviews

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Oakmont: An interview with Gil Hanse

With the 2025 US Open arriving at Oakmont, Richard Humphreys spoke with the architect, who renovated the course in 2023, about what to expect

Martin Ebert: Design journey

With a portfolio that includes eight of the ten Open venues, Mackenzie & Ebert occupies an enviable position in the golf design industry. Adam Lawrence spoke with principal Martin Ebert to learn how they got there

Designs for the big screen

Chad Goetz and Agustin Piza discuss their design decisions for the virtual holes that featured in the first season of TGL

Bob Harrison: Wizard of Oz

The Australian designer has had a long career and, like many of his countrymen, has spent much of it away from home. Adam Lawrence listened to his tales from the road

Ben Cowan-Dewar: Shock and awe

Golf development firm Cabot now has properties in six countries. Richard Humphreys speaks with co-founder and CEO Ben Cowan-Dewar about what makes a great site, selection of golf course architects, and more

Team building

Turfgrass has launched its US arm with the appointment of John Lawrence, Adam Moeller and Brad Owen. Richard Humphreys speaks with them, Turfgrass founder John Clarkin and director of agronomy Julian Mooney to find out more

Brian Curley: Life of Brian

The designer has surely clocked up more air miles than anyone else in the business. Adam Lawrence caught up with him in between flights to discuss his career and his new venture with Jim Wagner

Richard Humphreys
/ Categories: News

Redesigned Marco Simone makes tournament debut with Italian Open

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club near Rome, Italy, conducted an official opening ceremony for its new course at the start of this week, and makes its tournament debut with the hosting of the Italian Open on the European Tour. The new layout by European Golf Design is a complete rerouting and redesign of the original Jim Fazio and David Mezzacane course at Marco Simone.

The redesign project, led by EGD in cooperation with Tom Fazio II, began in August 2018, with the back nine completed and reopened in October 2020 with the full 18 in play for members by January 2021.

Work focused on creating a golf course that would provide plenty of match play drama given that it will be hosting the 2023 Ryder Cup. The design incorporates numerous risk and reward opportunities and maximises the natural rolling countryside terrain. Spectators will have great vantage points to see the on-course action and will also be able to see Rome in the distance, including St Peter’s Basilica, as well as the Castle of Marco Simone.

“The redesign project at Marco Simone is spectacular and we are delighted to showcase it to a global audience at this week’s Italian Open, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect when the venue welcomes golf’s greatest team contest in 2023,” said European Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings.

The 2021 Italian Open began yesterday, and it is only the second time that Marco Simone has hosted the tournament, having previously done so in 1994. It will host two further editions in 2022 and 2023. “After 27 years Marco Simone Golf & Country Club is excited to host the prestigious Italian Open and we are delighted to welcome the world’s best golfers to our newly renovated course,” said Lavinia Biagiotti, president of Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

Further work at Marco Simone includes a clubhouse renovation, which will be completed next year, and a new practice ground that will be built in spring 2022.

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Slideshow HTML
  • Marco Simone
    Dave Sampson

    Marco Simone Golf & Country Club near Rome is hosting the Italian Open, its first tournament since the course was revamped by European Golf Design

  • Marco Simone
    Dave Sampson

    Rerouting has allowed for numerous risk and reward opportunities

  • Marco Simone
    Dave Sampson

    The revamped Marco Simone course will host the 2023 Ryder Cup

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Dave Sampson
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