Montorfano (Como) | April 1, 2026. Circolo Golf Villa d’Este turns one hundred this year, celebrating a remarkable legacy shaped by stories of excellence, distinction, glamour and elegance, as well as a century of top-level competition and vision. "Reaching 100 years is not simply an anniversary, it is a responsibility", said President Antonio Munafò. "Celebrating the centenary does not simply mean looking at the past with pride. Above all, it means recognizing the value of a history built by generations of members, presidents, managers, athletes and staff who have made this Club one of the most iconic destinations in Italian golf. The theme we have chosen for this special year - Heritage Made Contemporary - perfectly expresses the spirit with which we want to mark the occasion: preserving tradition while continuing to keep it alive in the present and in the future".

Back to the origins. The eighteen holes of Villa d’Este return to their roots. In the 1920s, Lake Como enchanted aristocrats, actors, athletes and intellectuals from across the world, many of which were avid golf fans, yet there was no course. With remarkable foresight, the historic Villa d’Este championed the creation of one, recognizing it as a major asset for its guests and a driver of high-quality tourism. Land was found near Lake Montorfano, where a British-style course and clubhouse of great charm were built, beginning a beautiful story of golf and glamour. Separated later during the century, today the Golf Club and the Hotel once again move forward together, reaffirming their shared identity and commitment to excellence. "The Golf Club represents an important element that returns to the Villa d’Este S.p.A. group after many years, and we are deeply proud of it. It is an excellence of our territory and a heritage we feel responsible for safeguarding", says Giuseppe Fontana, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Villa d’Este S.p.A. "With its return to the ownership sphere of Villa d’Este, the Golf Club is entering a new season of splendor, a heritage to enhance and relaunch, with particular attention to younger generations who wish to approach both the sport and its lifestyle".

Woods in play. The eighteen holes at Villa d’Este were designed by English champion and architect James Peter Gannon, renowned across Europe for courses that appear to emerge naturally from the surrounding landscape. Here, golf is played on the gentle slopes of Montorfano, where rolling fairways weave through dense woods of pine, chestnut and birch trees that come strongly into play. They demand strategy and precise shots, making recoveries difficult but the setting uniquely majestic. At Villa d’Este, a few powerful shots are needed but, above all, technique, precision and imagination are the qualities rewarded, which even the most advanced equipment has never replaced. The result is a jewel of British inspiration destined to set standards, outlast trends and challenge technology.

An international and competitive vocation. Just as the guests of Villa d’Este were international, the Golf Club soon became the same. On the course, in its rooms and on the magnificent terrace, the global elite gathered: royalty and film actors, intellectuals and sports figures in a unique mix of sport and glamour. Among them were Leopold III of Belgium, Edward VIII Duke of Windsor, Bing Crosby and Gregory Peck. The challenge of the eighteen holes was international from the start. In 1928, only two years after opening, the club hosted the Italian Open, the country’s leading professional tournament with Europe’s strongest players. It was the first of 12 editions held at Villa d’Este. The Club also hosted the prestigious Italian International Amateur Championship (57 men’s editions and 42 women’s). Within this competitive atmosphere the Targa d’Oro was born, a national competition that has reached a record number of 80 editions.

To celebrate. Within the rich Centenary calendar, the club’s extraordinary competitive heritage will be celebrated. The historic Italian International Amateur Championship will be back at Villa d’Este for the 58th time (April 23–26); Targa d’Oro, the longest-running national golf competition in Italy will be played in May (23–25). The Centenary Pro-Am (June 8) will unite professionals and amateurs in a much-appreciated format. Highlight of the season is the Legends’ Exhibition (June 29), featuring four extraordinary champions who have written some of the most memorable chapters in the history of the modern Ryder Cup: Luke Donald, the winning captain on both sides of the Atlantic, alongside his vice-captains José María Olazábal, Edoardo and Francesco Molinari. It will be a match between them, but other Italian European Tour players will also be on the course that day. The program will also pay homage to golf’s origins with The Hickory Masters (May 13–14), transporting players back in time as participants will compete in period dress attire using vintage clubs. Last but not least, the Centenary Party will be a major celebration dedicated to members and all those who form the club’s community and carry its legacy forward; the two-day gathering (June 20-21) will bring together play, music and conviviality.

Timeless elegance on the lake. Iconic five-star luxury hotel located in Cernobbio on Lake Como, Villa d’Este has long been an international benchmark in luxury hospitality. Considered one of the finest examples of mid-16th-century architecture, the property was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873 and set within a 12-hectare park featuring centuries-old trees, statues, and colorful flowers. For more than 150 years, Villa d’Este has symbolized timeless elegance. The property offers 151 rooms and suites divided between the Cardinal’s Building and the Queen’s Pavilion, and four private villas. Recently, Villa Belinzaghi was acquired and is currently undergoing a complete restoration as an expansion to the property.

The culinary offering, led by Executive Chef Andrea Guerini, includes three experiences: the elegant Veranda with stunning lake views, serving classic-contemporary Italian cuisine with international influences; the Grill, for more informal meals highlighting grilled meats and seafood classics; and Ristorante Platano, which evokes Mediterranean and Japanese flavors, with influences from around the world. Villa d’Este’s wine cellar is renowned in Italy and abroad for its variety, quality, and exceptional wine heritage. Bar Canova is the lakefront destination for cocktails and light snacks in a refined setting, while the Sundeck, adjacent to the floating pool, offers a relaxed summer venue for light meals and cocktails pied dans l’eau.

The hotel also features a Beauty Center and Sporting Club with an indoor heated pool, gym, sauna, Turkish bath, squash court, putting green, jogging path, and eight tennis courts. The famous floating pool on the lake is heated, with a separate pool for children nearby. Completing the guest experience, the nearby Golf Villa d’Este, just a few kilometers from the property.

Villa d’Este La Collezione is the brand that brings together the excellences of the Villa d’Este Group, an international benchmark in luxury hospitality. Founded in 2025 as a strategic evolution of the Group, it now includes four high-profile destinations: Villa d’Este (Cernobbio, 1873), Villa La Massa (Florence, 1998), Palazzo Venezia (Como, December 2025) and Miralago Luxury Apartments (Cernobbio, opening June 2026). The Collection continues its promotion of the Como area with significant future projects, including the renovation of Villa Belinzaghi, a 19th-century residence adjacent to Villa d’Este that will be revived with a renewed offering of hospitality and catering. The project was led by Giuseppe Fontana, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Villa d’Este SpA, and CEO Davide Bertilaccio.

Media Kit
You can find press releases, videos and photos in a dynamic folder always updated during the Centenary season.
FOLDER

Golf Villa d’Este
Andrea Contigiani, Director
a.contigiani@golfvilladeste.com
Tel: +39 031.200200

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