Sicily, Italy… the return for another Challenge
By: Greg Wise, Golf the Wise Way
The Three Generation Challenge, beginning in 2018, during a family trip to see our son Travis, daughter-in-law Charlotte, and Grandson Chase Wise in Catania, Sicily, Italy.
The original challenge was contested on the Siracusa Golf Monasteri (Golf Central Magazine – Volume 19, Issue 2) and would truly lead to an eye-opening experience for me that I knew had to be repeated whenever possible.
Because of Covid, we were delayed for the second installment. Once travel restrictions opened up in Italy… a trip to Rome was planned. We selected Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, in Guidonia, Rome, 10 miles from the city center (Golf Central Magazine – Volume 23, Issue 4). After attending the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin… we wanted to experience the course that the 2023 Ryder Cup would be played on.
The second day in Rome was played on the Country Club of Castelgandolfo. A unique design to the world of golf course architecture. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The course boasts… 18 holes, 3 lakes, and 93 bunkers. What makes it unique? It is built inside an extinct volcano.
But where to play this year?
We planned a long vacation stay in Sicily… because of Chase’s Sigonella High School – DoWEA (Department of War Education Activity) Baseball Spring Championship in Germany in mid-May and his High School graduation in early June, we had time to plan for the perfect golfing day. Graduating?… Wow – where has the time gone?
We selected an amazing location… Sicilia’s Picciolo Etna Golf in Castiglione Di Sicilia.
Where the landscape becomes part of play.
Designed in 1989 by architect Luigi Rota Caremoli, it was the first 18-hole par-72 golf course to be built in Sicily. This 5,870-meter course (6,321 yards) is truly the most technical challenging course for your golf game, that I have seen in a long time.
Don’t let the short distance make you feel like you are not going to get a good challenge. Around every turn there is something different to have to make a decision about. Iron off the tee… or maybe 3-wood at the most. Architect Luigi Rota Caremoli was playing you… to make a mistake.
This is not a “one-and-done” golf course. You need to play it at least three times to appreciate that power alone will not beat this course. With a 2,400 to 2,600 feet above sea level… you need to learn the proper placements on each hole to produce your best score.
My problem was always looking over my shoulder, and in many cases, Mt Etna was acting as a frame with the trees to create the perfect golf picture for your eyes. Mt. Etna can be seen from every hole on the golf course – Well… unless you are in the bottom of the ravine on number 13 – a risk reward 250-yard par 4. Guess they forgot to tell me that if you don’t make the green what lurks in front of the green. The bottom of the ravine… you can only see up… to blue sky.
Playing Sicilia’s Picciolo Etna Golf means entering into a unique dialogue with the power of the volcano and the tranquility of its landscape… add green grass and your game is set for a real adventure.
At the end of the day… Chase and I played a scramble format. With his schedule of focusing on Baseball… it would be a distinct disadvantage to play heads up best ball… boy… I guess he got the short end of the stick with me as his partner.
One tremendous shot from Chase was the 3rd hole. 235-yards off the edge of a cliff. A real tight par 4… his drive hit the middle of the fairway… bounced over the bunker guarding the front edge of the green and rolled to the back of the green about 12-feet from the hole. “DO I HEAR AN EAGLE” attempt? Coming up short on his eagle putt… Chase learned an interesting phrase from his dad you had done the same thing years ago… “Never leave an Eagle putt short!” – but the sure tap in for the birdie and seeing his smile, made it all worthwhile.
Oh… by the way… Chase and I lost by 2 strokes over Travis and his playing partner… so there is a “NEXT TIME!”
Would I return to the foothills of Mt. Etna with a “Stay and Play”… You Bet!
Picciolo Etna Golf Resort & Spa Curio Collection by Hilton
The Resort is a welcoming retreat that invites guests to savor time well spent. Whether you come to relax, play golf, explore the surrounding landscape, or simply recharge, every moment feels authentic and timeless.
As the Three Generation Challenge story appeared in the issue of Golf Central Magazine – Page 18-20
Beverly Wise and Greg Wise have been traveling the world, playing and writing about their golf experiences as “Golf the Wise Way,” and submitting to numerous publications.
Greg has played golf for more than 60 years and truly believes that “a picture is worth a thousand words…” so, Beverly and Greg both excel in getting the right photos to enhance their stories.
