One of Italian golf’s most influential figures, Costantino Rocca, has joined the acclaimed Antognolla Resort and Residences as an official ambassador.
The Ryder Cup legend, who famously beat Tiger Woods in the 1997 Ryder Cup singles in Valderrama, will play a big part in the club’s continued ascent among Europe’s best courses.
Renowned for being as spectacular as it is challenging, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course sits tucked away in the rolling Umbrian hills and is fast becoming a bucket-list venue for avid golfers worldwide.
On becoming an official ambassador, Costantino Rocca said: “It is an honour to be representing Antognolla Resort and Residences, a truly stunning venue, and one with a fantastic future ahead as it continues to evolve.
“To witness the ongoing growth of the game and to play a role in establishing Italy as one of Europe's foremost destinations for golf is very exciting. This passion for the sport is something that Antognolla and I both deeply share, and the journey ahead is going to be a special one.”
The 17-time winner was the first Italian to represent Team Europe and one of only six players in the competition's history to record a hole-in-one. He is thought to be the most important Italian golfer of his generation.
Now, off the back of a triumphant 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, Italy is hoping to inspire a new and ever-growing generation of golf enthusiasts, aiming to become one of Europe’s leading golfing destinations.
The resurgence is already underway, with the R&A’s 2023 European Golf Participation Report showing a healthy 33% increase in junior engagement, ranking the second highest in Europe.
The positive growth within the country aligns with the ambitions of Antognolla Resort and Residences, which has benefited from multi-million Euro course investments to ensure its capacity to attract golfers from around the world.
César Burguière, Director of Golf at Antognolla Resort and Residences, said: “With the remarkable growth of golf, we are seeing in the country, there is no one more fitting than Costantino Rocca to join us as an official ambassador for Antognolla Resort and Residences.
“Many people in Italy will have fallen in love with golf watching Costantino performing miracles on the course, and we are so excited to work with him to bring the beauty of Antognolla to even more people, captivating them with our stunning surroundings.”
The surge in interest looks likely to continue in Italy, with golfers such as Matteo Manassero providing further cause for celebration after securing his first DP World Tour win since 2013 in South Africa last month.
Antognolla Resort and Residences welcomed both Manassero and Rocca for the ‘Castle Conversations’ series in 2023, with the pair enjoying the facilities and sharing stories of their golfing journeys.
The two-time winner of Italy’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards will soon also be home to Antognolla Resort and Residences, a new resort being crafted into the preexisting contours of the historical estate and set to be operated by Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
The additions of new residences, hotel suites and a state-of-the-art wellness centre mark a transformative moment for ultra-luxury in the green heart of Italy.
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To find out more about Antognolla Resort and Residences, visit www.antognolla.com
