Perhaps the most difficult, yet also rewarding aspect of teeing it up at the Cortina Golf Club are the spectacular panoramas of the awe-inspiring Dolomites, sublime views that can cause loss of focus on one’s ball-striking.
Nearly all of the picturesque mountain course’s nine holes offers a stunning view of a different, iconic Dolomites peak. Playing golf here, while being slightly distracted by the scenery, isn’t a bad thing.
Characterized by its elevated tees and greens, plus well-manicured fairways and putting surfaces, the nine-hole course is just two kilometers from the center of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The par-35 course – which also boasts views of the Olympia delle Tofane skiing piste across the valley – is not overly long, yet is technically challenging with varied, sloped terrain.
The Cortina Golf Course – designed by Peter Harradine and Silvio Bernardi and opened in 2010 – is in capable hands with golf pros Andrea Signor and Giulia Sergas, who played 15 years on the LPGA Tour and represented Italy at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Signor says that it is a uniquely designed course with breathtaking scenery, conducive to all skill levels.
“It is short, but very interesting – I personally call it ‘golf among the world’s best peaks,’ Signor tells Cortina Magazine. “Every hole has a different view and with a different peak.”
Cinque Torri, Antelao and Col Rossa are just a few of the iconic Dolomites backdrops.
The course plays 2,430-meters in length from the men’s yellow tees and 2,080-meters from the women’s red tees.
“It is always in good shape and we have some of the best greens in Italy,” says Signor, who competed for 12 years on the Italian National Team.
Sergas – who achieved six top-ten finishes in women’s Major tournaments – expressed similar sentiments as Signor.
“It is an interesting little golf course because it is short, but with small greens and difficult pin placements,” Sergas said. “The first tee shot is very important here and then before the green there are rocks, and if you fly the green you are in trouble.
“It is a very friendly course and also a beautiful hike – and it’s really well manicured, like a little garden,” she said. “Besides trying to shoot low scores, it is more about the experience.”
The 105-meter, par-3 seventh hole is the only hole without its own peak in the distance, yet is equally as stunning. Come up short to the elevated green and you’ll be caught in the lone bunker.
The adjacent par-4 third and fourth holes are considered the most challenging on the course. Both holes have sloped fairways and strategically placed bunkers protecting their greens.
The 425-meter fifth hole is the lone par-5, however golfers will benefit from a long downhill slope before it turns into a dogleg right.
“You’ll definitely remember the nine holes of Cortina Golf your whole life,” Signor says.
A post-round drink or relaxed lunch or dinner at Cortina Golf Club’s stylish and welcoming bar and restaurant are not to be missed, offering guests a top-notch wine and dining experience. Warm hospitality and attention to detail are served by restaurant manager Pierluigi Orlande. The club’s impeccably designed Ampezzo-style clubhouse offers a cozy upstairs lounge and spacious outdoor terrace immersed in nature. Golfers can also improve their skills at the club’s spacious driving range, practice putting green, chipping area and with the aid of an indoor golf simulator. Cortina Golf Club was the vision of entrepreneur and developer Giorgio Carriero, a famed sailor who served as the club’s Honorary President until his recent death on May 17, at age 92.
Viste Mozzafiato al Cortina Golf Club
Forse la sfida più grande, ma anche la più gratificante, nel giocare al Cortina Golf Club è restare concentrati mentre lo sguardo si perde nei panorami sublimi e spettacolari delle Dolomiti. Quasi tutte le nove buche di questo pittoresco campo di montagna – nato dal sogno di Giorgio Carriero, imprenditore e celebre velista – offrono scorci mozzafiato su una diversa, iconica vetta dolomitica. Caratterizzato da tee e green sopraelevati, fairway curati e superfici di putting impeccabili, il campo a nove buche dista solo due chilometri dal centro di Cortina d’Ampezzo. Benché non particolarmente lungo, il percorso par 35 (che regala anche vedute sulla pista Olympia delle Tofane) è tecnicamente impegnativo per i suoi dislivelli e il terreno vario. Progettato da Peter Harradine e Silvio Bernardi, il Cortina Golf ha aperto nel 2010 ed è affidato alle mani esperte dei professionisti Andrea Signor e Giulia Sergas, ex giocatrice LPGA per 15 anni e rappresentante dell’Italia alle Olimpiadi di Rio 2016. Il campo, che misura 2.430 metri dai tee gialli maschili e 2.080 dai tee rossi femminili, ha un design unico, con paesaggi meravigliosi e adatto a tutti i livelli di gioco con le Cinque Torri, l’Antelao e il Col Rossa tra le celebri cime a fanno da sfondo alle buche. Per Sargas, la particolarità interessante del campo consiste nel suo essere corto, ma dotato di green piccoli e posizioni di bandiera complesse. La settima buca, un par 3 di 105 metri, è l’unica senza una vetta sullo sfondo, ma resta comunque spettacolare. Se si manca il green sopraelevato, si finisce nell’unico bunker. Imperdibile, dopo ogni partita, un drink o un pranzo rilassato al raffinato e accogliente bar-ristorante del club, dove Pierluigi Orlande coccola gli avventori con ospitalità e cura dei dettagli. La club house in stile ampezzano ospita inoltre un salotto panoramico e una terrazza immersa nel verde. Per chi vuole migliorare il proprio gioco, ci sono driving range, putting green, area approcci e un simulatore indoor.
