Circolo Golf Venezia

Overview: Located on the Lido di Venezia, a barrier island in the Venetian Lagoon, Circolo Golf Venezia is a historic 18-hole parkland course originally designed by Scottish architect Cruickshank. Set within a mature forest of maritime pines, poplars, and willows, the layout features narrow, flat fairways, small greens, and numerous sandy hazards. The course is heavily influenced by coastal winds from the Adriatic Sea, demanding precise ball-striking and low-flight control.

History: Founded in 1928 at the initiative of American industrialist Henry Ford, who was frustrated by the lack of golf during his visits to Venice, the club is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Italy. The original 9-hole layout was expanded to 18 holes in 1951 by architect C.K. Cotton. The club has hosted the Italian Open multiple times, welcoming legends like Arnold Palmer and Tony Jacklin to its historic fairways.

Did You Know? The course is built around a historic 19th-century Austrian military fortress that was constructed to defend the Venetian lagoon. The thick stone walls and bastions of the ancient fort are still visible and form a dramatic backdrop for the clubhouse and several of the surrounding holes.