LA MONTECCHIA

Here Tom Macauley, president of the British Association of Golf Course Architects, has laid out an 18-hole course with length 6255 metres Par 72, which has several strategic water barriers; it is a modern, very technical course, but in keeping its modern golf philosophy, it is also suitable for novices taking up this exciting sport for the first time; a second course has also been provided, with 9 holes, length 3010 metres, par 36. The two courses are located in a setting rich in old history and culture; the original functions of the pre-existing facilities have been revived, carrying out "restoration" work on the landscape. To complete the golf facilities, it is intended to set up a school of golf theory and practice with its own practice course, run by the same professionals who work with the club. Other sports facilities are also planned: four tennis courts, a swimming pool and riding school, with the possibility of long rides on horseback.

Comment read on the Peugeot Golf Guide
This course was opened in 1992 close to the spa resorts of Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme, and particularly within the vicinity of the fine city of Padua, which spent many a year in the shadows of neighbouring Venice. The frescoes of Mantegna and Giotto are exciting visiting. While in earlier times they used to pray to Saint Antonio de Padua for shipwrecked mariners, prayers can still be heard in Montecchia to avoid the water hazards that are very much in play on this Tom Macauley layout.
Designing the course was no easy job on such flat land, but he succeed in contouring the fairways by digging here to add over there. However, the technical qualities of the course, playable by golfers of all abilities, cannot conceal a slight problem of uniformity. This is not a layout that sticks in the mind, unless of course you play it several times. A 9-hole layout has added to the appeal of what is a very pleasant course.