Tucked away within the Umbrian hills of Italy is Antognolla Golf Course. The 1,000-plus square-foot property, anchored by a restored Twelfth-century fort, presents a mix of historical past, luxurious and modernity. It’s the most suitable choice for golf within the area of Umbria and can quickly be part of a Six Senses resort that can open in 2026. Its relationship with Italian celebrities like Mariano Di Vaio, whose golf abilities have burgeoned over the previous years, brings status to the course and golf as an entire in Italy; this all comes on the tail of the nation positioning itself as a premier golf vacation spot.
“Antognolla Golf is an expertise not like another in Italy, seamlessly mixing world-class golf with breathtaking pure magnificence and a deep sense of historical past,” César Burguière, its director of golf, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “The course itself was masterfully designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Jr., whose identify alone is synonymous with excellence in golf course structure. His design completely integrates into the dramatic contours of the Umbrian countryside, making a difficult but rewarding expertise for golfers of all ranges.”
Antognolla is understood for its difficult course but additionally its hanging magnificence, overlooking a fort perched on a hill. Designed by American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course’s cliff-lined fairways, water hazards and sustainable fairway garden of 18 holes appeal to beginner and mature golfers from the U.S., the U.Ok. and different components of Europe.
“Golf in Italy is coming into a golden period, and it’s important that extra Italians embrace this unimaginable sport as a part of their life-style,” says Burguière. The Italian authorities is lively in positioning Italy as a golf getaway vacation spot. When People go to the nation, golf just isn’t what brings them — it’s moderately the historic websites and the Mediterranean shoreline. However advances just like the 2023 Ryder Cup being hosted in Rome have put the nation on the golf vacation spot map, and when Antognolla hosted the 2019 PGA Italian Championship, {the golfing} world began taking discover.
“These occasions have ignited a rising ardour for the game throughout Italy, and now’s the proper time for Italians to immerse themselves totally on the planet of golf,” Burguière says, including, “Our enjoying surfaces are maintained to the very best worldwide requirements respecting excessive sustainable requirements permitting Antognolla to realize GEO Certification twice. It isn’t only a sport — it’s a journey via time and nature, wrapped in unparalleled magnificence.”
Six Senses Resort
Antognolla Golf Course
Six Senses on the way in which
As issues are below development for the Six Senses resort that’s to return, guests can simply entry the course. From the car parking zone and previous the placing inexperienced, it’s a brief stroll to the restaurant the place you will discover Umbrian dishes like truffle pasta. Throughout from the restaurant, you’ll discover the present store the place you will discover Antognolla attire and golf provides. Perched on a mountain is the fort, which at one level in historical past would have been the house of a lord who protected the realm. It overlooks the course. Over time, the fort has additionally been a Benedictine monastery and has been privately owned by completely different households.
“Six Senses at Antognolla guarantees to ship an elevated life-style expertise, deeply rooted within the model’s core values of wellness, sustainability and connection to nature,” continues Burguière. At the moment, it’s below development to be part of the resort and can characteristic suites, rooms and a restaurant that can overlook the 18 holes. Straight throughout the fort is the place the trendy a part of the resort is being constructed. It’s going to characteristic the famend Six Senses spa, a restaurant, a restored church, an interfaith courtyard for weddings, a climbing path and 17 new residences.
“For our members, this partnership interprets into entry to a few of the most unique facilities on the planet. The spa for instance will supply personalised wellness applications that stability the thoughts, physique and spirit, all whereas drawing inspiration from the pure fantastic thing about the environment,” Burguière provides. All the residences are named Borgo Massarello and can rejoice the attraction of European tradition and household life, with one to four-bedroom choices.
Mariano Di Vaio
Mariano Di Vaio
Mariano Di Vaio and golf
Antognolla is Mariano Di Vaio’s go-to course. “One of many issues I like about Antognolla is the panorama,” the mannequin, dressmaker and entrepreneur tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I thank God that I get to journey rather a lot and get to see a number of lovely locations, however there’s something magical right here. You could have the fort within the background with the gorgeous view. Right here you discover a number of good causes to return. I’m actually enthusiastic about the place I’m from. The older I get, the prouder I’m of my roots and the place I come from. It jogs my memory of my grandma’s place. Antognolla provides me that vibe of residence, of household.”
One of many first profitable style bloggers in Italy and internationally, Di Vaio gained awards and located himself pivoting in entrance of the digital camera however as a mannequin. As soon as again residence, he discovered success by doing style campaigns for manufacturers together with Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Diesel and Tommy Hilfiger. Then, he pivoted as soon as once more and launched Nohow, a males’s style model in 2014, and now there’s a golf line.
“Golf lets me disconnect from on a regular basis life — not in a foul manner, however if you’re on the golf course, nature provides you that tranquility. And the whole lot that issues in that second is that little white ball. Placing all of your vitality and concentrate on that little factor makes the whole lot else decelerate slightly. It’s going again to a sluggish life-style, which is form of laborious as of late,” Di Vaio says. He began enjoying golf when his first youngster was born. Earlier than taking over the game, Di Vaio wouldn’t describe himself as affected person however enjoying golf helped him obtain the advantage. “Golf humbles you. There must be one thing else in golf that drives you, and I discovered little issues within the sport that stored me going alongside the way in which,” he provides.
Now that his style model has reached success transport worldwide, the daddy of 4 — who’s married to Eleonora Brunacci Di Vaio, a educated lawyer and authorized guide to his firm — finds contentment in his enterprise ventures, household life, modeling and new golf line, that includes items which are versatile to put on from the workplace to the golf course and are made with eco-friendly supplies.
“There’s that saying that guys might put on the identical T-shirt for a month, however they present up on a golf course prefer it’s Milan Style Week. My buddies and I actually care about what we put on on a golf course. The thoughts performs a really huge function in golf, like 70 %. The way in which you gown provides you confidence,” he says.
“As Italy continues to flourish as a golf vacation spot and appeal to high-end leisure vacationers, it’s vital for locals to embrace the game and contribute to its improvement, simply as Mariano Di Vaio has, making certain Italy’s place on the worldwide golf map,” says Burguière. “His dedication to the expansion of golf is pushed by his real love for the sport, which he enjoys at a excessive stage alongside his youngsters. And his ardour for golf naturally intertwines along with his work in style, main him to create a golf clothes line.”
Antognolla is a spot that brings individuals collectively, whether or not movie star or not; it’s an setting the place everybody can thrive and develop in golf. As soon as the resort is full, it can attain new heights. “We’re not simply constructing a resort,” provides Burguière. “We’re cultivating a life-style that honors the wealthy cultural heritage of Umbria whereas providing fashionable, world-class facilities.”