Lavinia Biagiotti has learned to be tough running an Italian fashion house in her native Rome.
And if that wasn’t challenging enough, she has also made history bringing the Ryder Cup to her country for the first time together with the Italian Golf Federation. Now the countdown is on for September 29 next year when Europe will host America at her Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome.
The course is in the garden of Biagiotti’s home as she grew up and lives in the beautiful castle in the grounds of the 7298-yard par 72 course, which this week hosts the Italian Open. The 16th century property was once home to Galileo but she has lived there since four and roamed the land as a kid.
Bringing the Ryder Cup to the Eternal City has been anything but child’s play however - especially as the competition’s first ever female proprietor. She has had to overcome a pandemic, global supply issues and a family tragedy to land the huge global event.
After securing first the Italian nomination out of 100 courses and then getting the nod from the European Tour in 2015, she suffered the devastating loss of her mother Laura and business partner. But a multi-million investment in re-designing the venue from 2018 onwards was not derailed and the new-look course successfully staged last September’s Italian Open, won by Nicolai Højgaard.
Now, despite all the challenges, Biagiotti has her sights on Italy serving up a spectacular feast of golf on her course which boasts views of St Peter’s Basilica from the 11th. Biagiotti, 43, reflected: “I call this my green dream. I was raised here in the castle and I love this land and this place.
“It is a special spot so close to Rome. I always had it in mind I wanted to attract something big here but maybe the Ryder Cup was even beyond my expectations.
“But I think Rome demands big sports events. The bidding year was I think the most beautiful year in my life, I will never forget it, it was so special.
“We were competing against big countries like Germany, Austria and Spain and were so much the Cinderella. It is a huge investment but I have great passion for it. Losing my mother changed my life a lot but it didn’t change my attitude because I am her only daughter and it was our dream.
“Italy never hosted a Ryder Cup before so we have employed the best experts from around the world from the likes of Ireland, UK and America. It was not easy to attract them because Italy is not a mature golf country.
“Then we had Covid and now the war so it has been a very challenging journey. I have also encountered many biases.
“I have experienced biases in the fashion industry and golf as well but I was lucky to meet many people at Ryder Cup Europe and the Italian Golf Federation who love women and think of me as a person and not as male or female. I don’t think women are better than men, we are all people who should combine energies.”
Not only is Biagiotti the first female president and owner of a Ryder Cup venue but she also employs Lara Arias to run the course.
Together the pair walk their dogs on the venue almost daily and discuss progress. “I think it is interesting to have a Ryder Cup with more women involved,” added Biagiotti.
Biagiotti’s late parents first bought 150 hectares in the suburbs of the Marco Simone area in the 1980s before fulfilling their dream to build a course. But after getting the Ryder Cup, the European Tour Design and designer Tom Fazio II sent in the bulldozers to build an entirely new back nine and remodel the front nine.
The result is a spectacular course purpose built for match-play , including the 16th which is a drivable par four over water, with echoes of the Belfry’s 10th hole. The hilly terrain also lends itself to natural amphitheatres where fans will be able to see plenty of action and generate a memorable atmosphere among the 250,000 people expected to attend the event, which was pushed back 12 months due to the pandemic.
Biagiotti added: “We would have been ready for 2022 but having an extra year is something we have to accept and embrace to really deliver on an amazing experience. I hope people will come into my garden as it is for people who really love golf. I think it is the right stage for something big.”
