The first works began in 1924 by Arch. Peter Gannon and the construction was entrusted to Francesco Pasquali, Master of Valle Scure, who when he arrived in this green natural terrace between Gignese and Vezzo, did not exactly find what could be called a Golf course. It was a kind of cross-course: drainage did not exist yet and only 3 greens ready. But Pasquali burns the candle at the seams. On June 7, 1925 on the premises of the Hotel Regina in Stresa, the Golf Board resolved to open the course for September and a “Championship Race Meeting” between September 21 and 27.

the first Italian Open

On June 28, 1924, the Alpine Golf Board allocated the sum of 3,000 lira to hold a championship competition
“for Professionals.” Thus was born the first Italian Open! Only three enrolled that year-Pasquali, Jolly and Prette.
Of course Pasquali won: he would finish the 2 rounds with 154 strokes. An amateur also participated, although it did not show up on the minutes: Peter Gannon, a left-handed player, champion in Switzerland and designer of the field. On the wings of enthusiasm, with the help and efforts of some friends, the Alpine would again host the Italian Open in the years 1926 and 1927. The second edition of the Open in 1926 saw an increase in the number of participants. Out of 16 competitors, Auguste Boyer of the Nice Golf Club prevailed with 147 strokes. According to A.Ross of Geneva. Third A.Grant of MT Angel. The third Italian Open hosted by the Alpine was in October 1927 with as many as 30 participants. Percy Alliss wins after play-offs with Marcel Dellemagne, with 145 strokes. Third N.Grant with 149 strokes. To the winner a prize of 2,500 liras and a gold medal, to the second and third place 1,500 liras, and fourth 750 liras and as much as 500 liras to the fifth on the podium.

In the Play-Off, also “Replay 18 holes” as reported on the official record, Percy Alliss also set the course record with 67 strokes. Secretary and race judge was Mayor Gillespie, a retired British officer.

The Alpine Golf Club in the postwar period.

During the pre-war years, golf was gradually finished by Pasquali, who managed to make the necessary modifications to make the course competitive. During the war years, the Alpine hosted the National Mixed Doubles Championships from 1938 to 1942 – then in 1942 a “Pro-soldier” competition for 18 holes tied on points. After the war there were numerous national events played on the fairways of the Alpine. In August 1945 the quadrangular match: Italy, Great Britain, South Africa, and the United States, with the Italian victory over South Africa. The chronicles of the time report that the U.S. lost every match!… In September 1946 the National Mixed Doubles Championship. In July 1948 the High Italian Team Championship; in September the Italian Mixed Doubles Championship. In 1949 the National Ladies Match Play Championship was held with the victory of Mrs. Marsaglia who beat Lea della Gherardesca 8/7 in the final. In the 1950s and 1960s numerous competitions were played at the national level, including numerous Pro-Am competitions with the participation of illustrious professionals such as Ugo Grappasonni, Aldo Casera, Alfonso Angelini, Giacomo Pasquali, Francesco Pasquali, and Pietro Manca. It should be mentioned that over all these years monarchs, princes, representatives of foreign states, have enjoyed the natural spectacle and hospitality that the Circle knows how to offer.

Alpine golf in the present day

In the A1 category since 1988 with Michele Alessi, Gianni Borroni, Ermanno Bertoletti, Gianni Airaga and Mauro Della Torre, the Circolo Alpino Stresa team, captained by Roberto Della Torre, has achieved prestigious results in the Italian Team Championships from year to year, thanks to the contribution of great players such as Roberto Platini, Teresio Comina, Rodolfo Pesati, Carlo and Matteo Zaretti, now valuable and promising professionals, Gianni Borroni, Tino Cerri and Alessio Alessi. The men’s team held high the prestige of the Alpine Circle by making it to the finals five times and always finishing in the top places of the podium.

In this brief history of the Golf Alpino we also remember the Presidents who have lovingly and sometimes with great sacrifice managed the club: Vittorio Emanuele Baisini, President of the Club Foundation, Bernardo Bossi, Carlo Vittadini, Giuseppe Marenzi ,Pupi Alessi Sandonnini, the current President Claudio Marenzi, and our recognition goes of course to all those, Secretaries, Caddie Masters and Staff who have contributed to this history, organization and development of the Stresa Alpine Golf Club.