The Brief
The Ryder Cup course at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club was designed to encapsulate the strategic brilliance of the world’s most iconic golf courses. The goal was to craft a layout full of risk-and-reward opportunities, diverse shot-making options, and an abundance of drama and excitement for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
The Site
Set within the rolling Roman landscape, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club offers breathtaking views of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Eternal City. The course blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings, featuring undulating terrain, picturesque water features, and vibrant, unmaintained rough areas that enhance the course’s character and ecological impact.
The Course
Playing to a par of 72, with lengths ranging from 5200 to just under 7300 yards, the course features a combination of perfectly manicured fairways, freeform bunkers with ragged edges, and striking water features. These water elements serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, such as aiding drainage and increasing biodiversity, while also providing strategic challenges on several holes. The design emphasizes variety, creativity, and bold shot-making choices, creating an unforgettable playing experience.
Status
The transformation of Marco Simone began in September 2018 and was completed in time for the 2023 Ryder Cup. The process faced numerous challenges, including complex phasing over four seasons, archaeology restrictions, re-routing of major gas pipelines and power lines, and delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these hurdles, the course emerged as a bold, exciting, and sustainable model of excellence in golf course construction and maintenance.
