Surprise: in 2018 the Italian Open is played in Gardagolf. This was announced by the Italian Golf Federation (FIG), in a note in which it recalls that the competition takes place from 31 May to 3 June and the prize money, for the second consecutive year, is seven million dollars. After three years of success at Monza Park, therefore, we change headquarters.
The region remains, Lombardy, which has opened its arms to golf and is willing to support the appointment, but not the place. Gardagolf, on the other hand, like Golf Milano, is a beautiful club, a difficult and important course, perfect for a top-level challenge such as the 75th Italian Open. However, an unknown factor is added: will the appointment once again be free or will the entrance fee be paid?
The federation's statement is silent on this point. To find an answer, it is perhaps necessary to resort to a letter to members, dated 5 December last, in which the president of the FIG, Franco Chimenti, justifies the increase in the cost of the federal membership card from 75 euros to one hundred euros, even thus: "Inevitable, dear friends, if you think that Italy is the only country that, by hosting one of the biggest and most important Opens in the world, decides that entry, as happened this year at the Monza Open, is free”.
Do you also decide for 2018? We will see. Certainly in Monza, thanks to the free entry, this year a record number of visitors was reached: 73 in the four days of competition. It will perhaps be more difficult to repeat next year if there is a fee for admission.
In the same note, the Federation recalls that the Italian Open will once again be included among the eight prestigious races of the Rolex Series, the world-class events of the European tour and that in Lombardy there will once again be internationally renowned champions.
For Gardagolf it is the third Italian Open. The club of Soiano del Lago (Bs) has already hosted two editions of excellent technical level. The first in 1997, in which Bernhard Langer surpassed José Maria Olazabal; the second in 2003 in which the Swede Mathias Gronberg prevailed over Colin Montgomerie, Ricardo Gonzalez and José Manuel Lara.
Finally, for our country, as in the past season, there will be two tournaments on the European Tour 2018 calendar. From 10 to 13 May, in fact, there will also be the Rocco Forte Open – Verdura, Sicily, at the Verdura Resort in Sciacca (Agrigento).
