#107 Marco Simone Golf Club A Ryder Cup Course Guide

The Podcast describes the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, It provides a detailed overview of the individual holes, their challenges, and the strategic aspects shaped by the course design and natural surroundings. Special emphasis is placed on the bunkers, water hazards, and the demanding terrain. The club is presented as an exceptional and challenging facility for professionals and ambitious golfers.

The Marco Simone Golf Course offers a unique blend of history and modern design, combining a historic castle with a sophisticated golf course designed for an international audience. The Marco Simone Castle, located in the Lazio region 11 miles northeast of Rome, dates back to around the year 1000. Over its long history, the castle has witnessed a remarkable part of Roman history, including a millennium of prosperity, papal influence, and dynastic landownership.

The course itself opened in 1991 but was completely redesigned in 2018 ahead of the 44th Ryder Cup. The redesign, carried out by European Golf Design in collaboration with Tom Fazio II, the son of the course's original architect, used the estate's rolling meadows as a blank canvas. The team created entirely new holes and changed the direction of others to introduce deceptive hazards and strategic dilemmas while showcasing distant views of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica. The result is a "battlefield, anything but romantic or welcoming," featuring fortress-like greens, penal bunkers, and deep, twisting rough.

Marco Simone is not only a test for the world’s best golfers but also a testament to the rich history and beauty of the Roman landscape. The course was designed to highlight the "timeless beauty of the Roman countryside" while offering a modern challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The combination of history, design, and breathtaking scenery makes Marco Simone one of Europe’s premier tournament destinations.