Golf Ascona: course in the park

Curated by Ariella DelRocino

The idea of creating a golf course in Ascona began to take shape in 1925. In 1926 the word "golf" appears for the first time in the acts of the Patriciate and in March 1928 the Patriziale Ascona Golf Club was officially born. in the first years of activity the course of Ascona was considered "the most beautiful 9 holes in Europe".

In 1932, the architect Roelli finished the first Club House and the English architects Colt & Alison designed a 9-hole course, which, with the contribution of the architect. CK Cotton, will become 18 in 1957. In that year the map of the park is redesigned with the start of important embellishment works through a careful and creative insertion of trees and flowers that characterize it making it unique in its kind. The decade between 1960 and 1970 then allowed the Club to make a real leap in quality, thanks to the already acquired international prestige, the presence of listed professionals and the increasingly high attendance of famous people.

In the last twenty years, numerous projects have been completed aimed at financial consolidation, the revaluation of the technical and sporting aspects and, above all, the strengthening of the structure as a meeting and attraction center for tourism throughout the region.

Ten years after the men's European Golf Championships, the spectacular course that is reflected in Lake Maggiore hosted another of the major continental events in 2019: the women's and men's senior European Championships: and it is not an absolute first, given that in Ascona this event had already made a stop on three occasions, between 1997 and 1999. About 90 participants competed for the men's competition and about 50 for the women's tournament, for a total of respectively 25 and 16 countries represented , with numerous players of absolute value. On that occasion the team of greenkeepers set to work to redo the look of the 18 holes of the pearl of Lake Maggiore: a total of 18 bunkers (partly replaced by trees) have been eliminated, another 3 have been modified in their nature, and 4 rebuilt.

The Golf of Ascona, in its technical aspect (slopes, greens, bunkers), is not very different from other Swiss and European structures. Defined as one of the most attractive in Switzerland, the holes wind through majestic trees, in a natural landscape of rare beauty. The flat course has a very respectable technical level, which knows how to test and thrill both champions and beginners at the same time.

What makes the Ascona field special is in any case its appearance as a park: we are facing a green area of great beauty, out of the ordinary. There are more than 60 species of trees here, countless species of flowers, birds, insects. Badgers and foxes also meet in the field. What is dear to the Patriciate is the conservation and harmonious development of this extraordinary natural heritage, consisting of a park, ponds (the lakes that embellish the path and Lake Maggiore that frames it), flowers and trees.

The interventions are planned together with the forestry company. When it comes to deciding which plants to lay, which ones to replace, how to intervene, collaboration is essential. The maintenance manager works closely with the forestry of the Patriciate. Only organic products are used, targeted and sparingly. The use of chemical fertilizers is banned at the Golf Ascona. Birds also contribute to creating the virtuous cycle of nature, in order to use as little insecticidal products as possible.

Access is restricted to members while guest players can access the course if they are members of a recognized club and federation with a 54 handicap. Guest players in the Handicap VI category (from HCP 37 to HCP 54) and PR can as a rule, access the field without restrictions. In case of frost, the opening can be postponed.

The Club House is characterized by a Mediterranean style that fits harmoniously into the wonderful surrounding park. The restaurant with its large terrace overlooking the path and its always refined cuisine is a relaxing, elegant and discreet place where you can pleasantly spend time during game breaks or organize an informal business meeting.