At a time when there has been much discussion about growing the game, Udine Golf Club in Friuli- Venezia – Giulia in north east Italy between Venice and the Austrian border is a paradise, still a hidden gem but not hidden for much longer.
In its own way it is setting a great example of how to gain members and increase rounds of golf. One of which is to be a Happy Club where players want to return time after time. It hosts the European Tour Italian Seniors Open Golf Championship in October and the practice facilities and a new high tech golf academy, Villaverde Institute of Performance (VIP) being designed by Dellanzo Group. The answer may be “Happy Golf” combined with superb fitness, Wellness and Medical Centre and an inspiring junior golf program. It has also just held the final of a European foot golf championship attracting 140 players from across Europe.
The vision of renowned local entrepreneur, Gabriele Lualdi is being realised. A new four star eco resort on site with golf academy includes 33 rooms, wellness centre, spa, pools, Technogym, gourmet dining, bike trails, clubhouse, horse riding, tennis and sailing centre and a major medical centre on site even offering specialised aesthetic surgery. The resort is located close to Udine, home of the Serie A football club of the same name and adjacent to Fagagna and San Daniele, famous for prosciutto di San Daniele exported worldwide. Open year round it enjoys a micro climate and is close to the borders of Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Germany. An additional hotel owned by the resort opens in San Daniele next year.
“The Academy will undoubtedly be the best and most comprehensive in Europe including the very latest high tech studio said Emilio Dellanzo, Director of Dellanzo Group. This is a new destination at an established golf club which is spectacular. Happiness and Wellness is perhaps a new and different theme for golf. A place to attract the whole family whether they play golf or not currently.
Dellanzo Group has designed and opened golf academies in Canada, Dubai, Italy, France and in the UK and worked with players from beginners to professionals on the main professional tours internationally.
Here at Udine the club have taken more than a 100 new members in the last year and we are just at the beginning of the growth curve said Emilio Dellanzo. The junior programme is inspirational. 19 year old member Virginia Elena Carta has recently won the NCAA championship in the USA, made the cut as an invitee in her first LPGA tour event and this last week qualified and played in the US Amateur Championship making the final two but losing on the last hole of the 36 hole championship final. It has been a thrilling week and year for the members to watch the progress of Virginia as one of the world’s best players.
Virginia Elena Carta, 19 years, a true champion and member of Udine Golf Club. Her grit, competitive spirit and explosive swing, made her a popular player with the crowds at Rolling Greens this last week. She qualified for the 2017 Women’s US Open.
As a resort Villaverde has a drive to market of millions and for Britain there are direct flights to Milan, Verona and Venice and for private flights an airstrip just five minutes away where we organise and offer ongoing flights to other destinations to play golf.”
This region close to Venice and the Austrian and Slovenian borders is to be discovered, steeped in history, culture, gourmet offerings. There are many wine producers and vineyards close to our resort amongst the most notable wines are Jermann, Felluga,Venica, Collavini and some of the best artisan beers in the world. Close to the mountains it is simply spectacular, supernatural scenery. Villaverde Resort hosts the European PGA Tour Italian Seniors Championship in October and is considered the most advanced high tech Eco resort in Italy.
For more information contact www.villaverderesort.com or Dellanzo Destinations, (Unique Destinations and Hidden Gems) at info@dellanzo.com
Dellanzo Group www.dellanzo.com