Golf trivia: Lake Como Golf Club in Bellagio and other courses on the lake
Are you a golf enthusiast?
This new article talks about this wonderful sport and where it is practiced here on Lake Como.
One of the most famous golf courses on the lake was certainly the Lake Como Golf Club in Bellagio. It was known by all for its history and fame, but it no longer exists today.
The Lake Como Golf Club was one of the first golf clubs in Italy. It was created in Dervio in 1905 and ceased all activity before 1922.
It was founded mainly at the behest of some English citizens on holiday in Bellagio: Margaret Scott, winner of the first three British Ladies Amateurs (1893, 1894, and 1895), and her husband Frederick Gustavus Hamilton Russell indicated as Captain of the golf club.
In 1906, the golf club had 37 members, 40 in 1908 and 1909, and a new 37 in 1912.
The golf course of Lake Como Golf Club in Bellagio
The golf course was designed by J. H. Taylor and consisted of nine holes for 2320 yards in 1912 and 2347 yards in 1915.
“This course is fortunate to possess light sandy soil and excellent greens. Although comparatively short, 2320 yards, each hole is made interesting by sand bunkers or natural hazards, among which the River Varone stands out, which runs obliquely across the course in front of the ninth tee and contributes to the interest of one or two other holes. The course has recently been lengthened and considerably improved.” (Margaret R. Hamilton Russell, 1912)
The clubhouse at the Bellagio Golf Club
A clubhouse was also built at the Bellagio Golf Club in 1905 to accommodate English tourists. The building, which has been remodelled over time, still exists today.
In 1908, Frederick Gustavus Hamilton Russell obtained permission to divert the final part of the Varrone stream bed to cross the golf course. Thus, the bed was significantly shortened and made straight.
The golf club was still indicated as existing in 1921, but in February 1922, some of the golf course land had already been sold to the Vincenzo Pensa company.
Where is Bellagio on Lake Como?
Nestled in the center of the Lake, on the tip of the promontory, Bellagio is “the pearl of the lake”.
The old village offers itself to exploration with its network of alleys and ancient cobblestones that start from the lakeside and climb up the mountain. Now and then, you can find enchanted gardens, Romanesque churches, and breathtaking views illuminated and warmed by the mild climate and magical light.
From Bellagio, it is easy to discover splendid treasures along the shores of the lake. Sumptuous neoclassical villas such as Villa Melzi, Villa Olmo in Como, Villa Monastero in Varenna, Villa Balbianello in Lenno, Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, Villa Mylius Vigoni in Menaggio.
The ideal way to explore it is by ferry, which will lull you placidly along the routes of wonders until it shows you the severe Palazzo Gallio in Gravedona and the mystical Abbey of Piona.
Playing golf around Lake Como: where to go.
Do you want to come to Lake Como to play golf?
The Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club is one of the most famous courses on the lake.
Born on Lake Como in 1907 from the English gentleman J.H. Taylor project and modified in 1964 by J. Harris, the Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club is Italy’s second oldest golf club. It is an 18-hole course immersed in greenery in an atmosphere of English tradition.
At the end of the 19th century, Lake Como was one of the most popular destinations for elite Anglo-Saxon tourism, which had found an ideal area between Menaggio, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia, and Bellagio, where hotels and villas had sprung up to provide shelter to a community in continuous growth.
They were mainly industrialists and textile traders united by the same business and their love for these places. To recreate the English family environment, albeit in a different context, with a decidedly better climate, four English gentlemen, led by the banker Henry John Mylius, met on 10 January 1907 at the Hotel Victoria in Menaggio to found the Menaggio Cadenabbia golf club.
The suitable land was found in the locality of Croce just above Menaggio.
The first nine-hole course was built there and expanded in the following years. In 1919, Mr Wyatt, a relative of Mylius, became president of the club and, by purchasing new land, developed the golf course to 18 holes.
Circolo Golf Villa d’Este: another golf gem on Lake Como
Designed in 1926 by Peter Gannon, the Circolo Golf Villa d’Este covers a distance of 5760 meters, with a par of 69 shots and 18 holes. It is dotted with carefully designed natural obstacles that challenge the ability of enthusiasts and professionals, offering an unforgettable experience.
A naturalistic landscape setting among the most evocative in the world, it features over 30,000 trees—pines, chestnuts, and birches—the Prealps in the background, and glimpses of Lake Montorfano.
With its opening in 1926, the Circolo Golf Villa d’Este is Italy’s 7th oldest golf course.
Since its inception, it has hosted the most prestigious international tournaments. Since 1928, the Golf Villa d’Este has hosted the Italian Open 12 times, boasting the merit of being the club in Italy with the most editions played.
Also, numerous editions of the international amateur championships, both men’s and women’s, played since 1932, contribute to the prestige of the Golf Villa d’Este course in Como.
Playing golf on Lake Como means enjoying nature and the landscape at 360 degrees.
We look forward to seeing you at our Hotel Loveno and giving you the best advice on where to play golf during your stay. Lake Como is ready to amaze you with its treasures.
Contact us to discover more info@hotelloveno.com.
– Gaia