Ryder Cup legend becomes ambassador for leading Italian resort

Costantino Rocca, one of Italian golf’s most influential figures, is joining forces with Antognolla Resort and Residences, the acclaimed golf course renowned for being as spectacular as it is challenging. 

Ryder Cup legend Rocca, who famously overcame Tiger Woods in the 1997 Ryder Cup singles in Valderrama, has officially joined Antognolla Resort and Residences as an ambassador, and will play a big part in the club’s continued ascent among Europe’s best courses.

Tucked away in the rolling Umbrian hills, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course is fast becoming a must-play venue for golfers around the world, as its blend of natural beauty and history creates an experience that leaves its visitors in awe.

On becoming an official ambassador, Rocca said: “It is an honour to be representing Antognolla Resort and Residences, a truly stunning venue, and one with a fantastic future ahead as it continues to evolve.

“To witness the ongoing growth of the game and to play a role in establishing Italy as one of Europe’s foremost destinations for golf is very exciting. This passion for the sport is something that Antognolla and I both deeply share, and the journey ahead is going to be a special one.”  

Rocca was the first Italian to represent Team Europe in the Ryder Cup and one of just six players to record a hole-in-one in the prestigious competition. He is hailed as the most important Italian player of his generation.

Now, following a triumphant 2023 Ryder Cup which was held in Rome, Italy is hoping to inspire a whole new generation of golf enthusiasts and become one of Europe’s most prominent destinations.

The renaissance has indeed already begun, with the R&A’s 2023 European Golf Participation Report showing a 33% increase in junior participation in Italy, which ranked the second highest in Europe.

This growth in golf within the country aligns perfectly with the ambitions of Antognolla Resort and Residences, which has had multi-million Euro investments into the course to ensure its ability to attract golfers from across the world.

César Burguière, Director of Golf at Antognolla Resort and Residences, said: “With the remarkable growth of golf we are seeing in the country, there is no one more fitting than Costantino Rocca to join us as an official ambassador for Antognolla Resort and Residences.

“Many people in Italy will have fallen in love with golf watching Costantino performing miracles on the course, and we are so excited to work with him to bring the beauty of Antognolla to even more people, captivating them with our stunning surrounds.”

This surge in the interest of golf will no doubt continue in Italy, with figures such as Matteo Manassero giving further cause for celebration, after the Italian clinched his first DP World Tour win in almost 11 years in South Africa in March.

Antognolla Resort and Residences hosted both Manassero and Rocca for the ‘Castle Conversations’ series in 2023, with the duo enjoying the stunning facilities on show and sharing stories of their journeys in golf.

The two-time winner of Italy’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards will also soon become home to Antognolla Resort and Residences, a new resort being crafted into the contours of the existing historical estate, to be operated by Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. 

With the introduction of all new residences, hotel suites and a state-of-the-art wellness centre, the project marks a transformative moment for ultra-luxury in the green heart of Italy.