Golf Club Ambrosiano has been owned since 1996 by The Kosaido Company of Japan. Kosaido has held a prestigious portfolio of some 44 courses and golf hotels around the world, including Les Bordes in France and the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews. Since the death of the founder, Yoshiaki Sakurai, 4 years ago, the company has been selectively reducing the number of overseas properties in the portfolio.
A challenging 18 hole golf course opened in 1994, just 23 km from central Milan, Ambrosiano Golf Club has stunning views towards the Italian Alps and potential for improvement and further development subject to any necessary consents.
The complex comprises some 61 hectares and surrounds a recently-built housing development of attractive architecture that mirrors the style of the old villa and church close to the clubhouse.
Demand for housing in the area has intensified as Milan’s growth extends westwards. The area immediately surrounding the course is protected from further residential building by agricultural zoning, though extensions to the course itself are feasible subject to the necessary consents being obtained. On the site itself, further construction above and adjacent to the clubhouse and in the area of the maintenance building may be possible.
Such expansion could include accommodation or country club facilities, such as a swimming pool, subject to the necessary permissions.
The Course
Set in a mainly agricultural area, with stunning views to the Alps, the complex provides year round golf on a beautifully maintained 18 hole, 6,047 metres, par 72 course, which features two returning loops of nine, where water comes into play on 14 of the holes.
Designed in 1992 by the internationally known architect Brian Silva (Cornish Silva and Mungeam) and opened in 1994, the typically flat Lombardy landscape has been skilfully contoured and enriched with many lakes which complement the wide fairways and large greens. The course is rated among the best in Italy.
Substantial investment in recent years has included the provision of a top quality irrigation system for the whole course. The Club has full access to the local agricultural water system and also has special permits allowing it to sell excess water to local farmers.
An extremely busy practice range with covered and open bays and full time tuition programmes from four professionals is located adjacent to the car park. Nearby a practice bunker and chipping area has been newly created between the car park and the clubhouse. There is also a substantial and well used putting green.
The Clubhouse
The clubhouse is an attractive single-story building comprising restaurant with external terrace, bar, lounge area, spacious male and female changing rooms and a conference room. The clubhouse extends to approx 1,400 square metres, and also includes living accommodation for the caretaker. There are 320 lockers for men and 126 for ladies.
There is also a well-stocked pro-shop and Reception area located adjacent to the buggy and trolley store. The latter has equipment cleaning and repair services. These buildings measure some 800 square metres.
The greenkeeping compound is set well away from any playing areas and benefits from its own access road. It comprises a purpose built building of some 415 sq metres, with additional outside storage space and lockable areas for chemicals etc.
The course maintenance equipment is owned by the club, and the greenkeeping has been contracted out to a specialised company since 1996.
Current operation
No new golf courses have been built in Lombardy since 2000, however a substantial increase in the number of Italian golfers is expected in the next decade.
Under Kosaido, Ambrosiano Golf has been a leading innovator in Italian golf operations, pioneering the concept of annual green fee members in a country where members-owned courses were, and still are, the traditional norm. The success of the annual green fee concept in a country where golf has been dominated by exclusive and restrictive membership clubs, but where affiliation to a club is essential for official handicap registration, has prompted other clubs to adopt such a system. Such development has assisted in the growth in the number of Italian players, though this still lags well behind other European golfing countries.
The current membership base of 622 continues to grow strongly, with good representation from both ladies and juniors. Tournaments and competitions are the lifeblood of weekend play with strong corporate sponsorships. With 25,000 rounds played annually, there remain excellent opportunities to grow both the membership and overall revenues.
Overall revenue for complex is derived from membership subscriptions, green fees, tournament fees and sponsorships, the practice facilities, rentals and the golf shop, (the bar/restaurant operation is contracted out to a specialist catering company).
Overall revenue in the year to April 2008 was €1,322,000, and in the current year to April 2009 total revenue is expected to increase to €1,380,000. An increase of 7% is anticipated for 2009/2010.
For further information contact Nick Hopton of HMH Golf and Leisure: E-mail: nch@hmhgolfandleisure.com
HMH Golf and Leisure www.hmhgolfandleisure.com