Golf Fore the Good

GFTG won’t see any new posts for a couple of weeks while I’m off on a non-golfing adventure to Italy. The why and the wherefore of my trip are rather special, but a story for another day. It is mega-tempting, I admit, to try to squeeze in a round while I’m away but I’m traveling with non-golfers and certainly our time will be better spent at other, more cultural endeavors.

To satisfy my craving for some golf in Italy, I Googled up a little info. I learned that the game of golf was played by the ancient Romans with a stick and leather ball. They called it “Paganica.” With all the many free translation tools I’ve been dabbling with lately I couldn’t pull up an exact match to get to the root of the name. I did, however, try translating a shortened version. What popped up seemed quite appropriate.

I typed in “pagani” and hit the translate button. “You pay,” was the apt result. Boy, do we ever – golfers pay, and pay and pay out there, with our blood, our sweat and tears - never mind the gajillions of dollars bet every season on golf courses near and far - and not to mention greens fees. Even back then, some one sure knew what the game was all about.

Here are a few more random thoughts and trivia on golf in Italy and Italian golfers.

Italy, by square miles, is a just a smidge larger than the state of Arizona. Italy is host to approximately 249 golf courses while Arizona boasts 407. Italy is not a golf mecca, to be sure, but certainly a worthwhile golf destination.

The first golf association in Italy was the Florence Golf Club, founded in 1889.

Italy’s first golf course was established at Roma Aquasanta by the English consulate in 1903 and remains open to this day.

Golfing in Italy conjures no fear of suffering the “good golf-bad food” syndrome so often mentioned by golfers returning from the UK. Though there’s a good chance great cuisine might tend to overshadow the golf in Italy, both are amply enjoyable. I found a description for one tour offering its patrons the assurance that there would be “time to enjoy a three course lunch with your round.” Sure beats a dog and a beer from a paper cup at the turn.

Phil Mickelson’s nickname while playing on the Arizona State golf team was “The Roman.” He is of Italian decent on his mother’s side. Somehow I just can’t picture that grin painted on the face of any Renaissance masterpieces.

A band of seven brothers held court in the American golf world for many years starting in the 1920’s. The seven sons of Italian immigrants, the Turnesa brothers of Westchester, New York were golf’s greatest family dynasty. It’s just a shame they didn’t have two full foursomes.

The winner of the US Amateur golf championship in 2006 was Italian born Edoardo Molinari of Turin. It was the first US AM title captured by a European since 1911.

So you see,Virginia, guys with Italian names really do get their names on some very special golf trophies. Isn’t that so, Johnny Miller?

Well, now I’ve gone and done it. I’ve let myself start dreaming again about playing a little golf in Italy. I wonder if my traveling companions will notice if I slip away for four or five hours?

Scusi. Devo andare il pacco i miei club di golfistici.