I know many people were wondering what I would do for golf after moving here. As I had told many people golf courses are pretty scarce in southern Italy. They do exist but none are really that close to me. I may be able to go on a weekend excursion for a golf getaway but planning for a quick round in the morning just was not going to be - or so I thought.
A few weeks ago I met my first friend (not family related) here in southern Italy. My cousin Angela found out one of her neighbors might be a nice friend for me. She is German but has been living in Italy for 20 years. She is separated from her husband, no children but has a dog. Also she loves to play golf and she speaks English. I met her a few weeks ago and we hit it off. Gabriella is a lovely lady and we agreed we had a lot in common and it would be fun to get together for caffe or for a game of golf.
She tells me this story of a man that has been trying to build a nine hole (really a par 3) golf course in Ascea - a 10 minute drive from me. She does say it is not much and is not completed due to difficulties but she knows the owner and has become friends with him. There is also another man that golfs with them - he is an Italian/American. He lives in Philadelphia and Italy - 2 months at a time in each place. It sounds perfect but she continues to tell me the course is not much. I get invited to join them for a game of golf last Saturday. I kept my expectations in check as I just knew this was not going to be anything remotely close to an American golf course - and I was right. BUT - I played and we had a blast.
The bigger story is that this land is in the shadow of Velia - which are greek ruins and an archaeological site. The government has delayed the final approvals for him to complete the course as they are concerned he might disturb the land - possible other archaeological findings. What the heck - it is his land!! But again this is Italy and nothing goes quickly or smoothly. Antonio (the owner) has been working on this for 2 years and now is at a standstill. He is not allowed to do any more work on the course. But he does go out with his friends every once in a while and plays the 9 hole course. He has even built a clubhouse - which stands unfinished.
Well when I get there my expectations were correct. It really is a big field - lots of weeds, where he has set up 9 holes. There are tee boxes (well sort of) and greens (well sort of) and fairways (well sort of) - you get the picture????? OMG - we laughed so hard but still literally played the 9 holes and had so much fun. I will say it is a heck of a lot harder than the well manicured courses I have played. He even has tee markers with the metric measurement of each hole. The greens have a cup and a flag stick. You have to give him credit for his ambition. If he could ever finish it it might turn into something half way decent. He even has a putting green he started. Now the grass he is using - well let's just say it looks more like weeds.
So I have golfed in southern Italy and we have plans to play again this Saturday. Carlo is returning to Philadelphia for a few months. We are hoping that when he returns in September Antonio will have his approvals to proceed.
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| The course as seen from the clubhouse and unfinished patio Note the tower in the distance (on the right) - Velia - the archaeological site |
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Note the yellow umbrella in the distance - that is the driving range - complete with mats. |
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| My new friend Gabriella at the first tee The tee marker had a plastic covering to protect it - it was a nice new sign |
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| The first green - note the flag stick and the start of a water hazard behind the green |
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| The makings of a sand bunker - he even has a rake |
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| Gabriella teeing off |
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| The unfinished clubhouse |
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| My team inside the clubhouse (L to R) Antonio, Carlo, Gabriella |
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