In Florence from December 17, 2010 for three days one of the city symbols, Ponte Vecchio, will turn into a golf course. Actually, Ponte Vecchio will be the starting tee and the greens will be 3 platforms made of real grass, with flag and hole, floating in the Arno.

In 1997, Conte of Florence, specialized in golf clothes, had the idea to combine the passions of his life: golf and Florence. He managed to bring some champions, including Costantino Rocca and Federica Dassù in Florence and had them shoot real golf balls from Ponte Vecchio to a rowboat anchored in the Arno. It was a success that was so repeated and consolidated over time.

In the first years it was possible also, after paying a modest fee, to experience the thrill of making a shot across one of the three platforms placed in the middle of the river.  I, having only completed the beginner course of golf, practically hardly knew how to place my hands on the 7 iron, BUT I wanted to try it anyway …. How exciting!
Now the Ponte Vecchio Challenge has become an international event and has lost its “familiar” aspect.  This, on one hand, is a little bit of a shame, but on the other it offers a spectacle of a high level.  This year the participants are twelve professional players, representing their twelve nations.  Among these respected names, which are worth the trouble to see, I would like to remember the German Bernhard Langer, winner of forty-one titles worldwide – including two Masters, the Swede Robert Karlsson, ranked number three in Europe, the Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, winner of the Madrid Open last October, the Norwegian Jan-Are Larsen, winner of the last two events, the British Richard Finch and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares.
The winner will receive 125,000 euros.
Finally, 500 other golfers, 2010 winners of competitions in Italy and Europe, will prove themselves with a special driving session from the bridge in Florence.

The Ponte Vecchio Golf Challenge is a sporting competition but above all it is a spectacle because it permits the enjoyment of both Florence and a sport in a truly unusual location.  Also, last year, nature lent a hand because it snowed; this made Florence very magical and, if possible, even more beautiful!
We will see what happens this year...

Remember that Hotel Kursaal & Ausonia in these days is organizing some guided tours of the city and of the Uffizi Gallery. So please ask us or visit www.guidedflorencetours.com