Tucked away in the Umbrian hills of Italy is Antognolla Golf Course. The 1,000-plus square-foot estate, anchored by a restored 12th-century castle, offers a blend of history, luxury and modernity. It’s the best option for golf in the region of Umbria and will soon be a part of a Six Senses resort that will open in 2026. Its relationship with Italian celebrities like Mariano Di Vaio, whose golf skills have burgeoned over the past years, brings prestige to the course and golf as a whole in Italy; this all comes on the tail of the country positioning itself as a premier golf destination.
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“Antognolla Golf is an experience unlike any other in Italy, seamlessly blending world-class golf with breathtaking natural beauty and a deep sense of history,” César Burguière, its director of golf, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “The course itself was masterfully designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Jr., whose name alone is synonymous with excellence in golf course architecture. His design perfectly integrates into the dramatic contours of the Umbrian countryside, creating a challenging yet rewarding experience for golfers of all levels.”
Antognolla is known for its challenging course but also its striking beauty, overlooking a castle perched on a hill. Designed by American golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course’s cliff-lined fairways, water hazards and sustainable fairway lawn of 18 holes attract amateur and mature golfers from the U.S., the U.K. and other parts of Europe.
“Golf in Italy is entering a golden era, and it’s vital that more Italians embrace this incredible sport as part of their lifestyle,” says Burguière. The Italian government is active in positioning Italy as a golf getaway destination. When Americans visit the country, golf is not what brings them — it’s rather the historical sites and the Mediterranean coastline. But advances like the 2023 Ryder Cup being hosted in Rome have put the country on the golf destination map, and when Antognolla hosted the 2019 PGA Italian Championship, the golfing world started taking notice.
“These events have ignited a growing passion for the sport across Italy, and now is the perfect time for Italians to immerse themselves fully in the world of golf,” Burguière says, adding, “Our playing surfaces are maintained to the highest international standards respecting high sustainable standards allowing Antognolla to achieve GEO Certification twice. It is not just a game — it is a journey through time and nature, wrapped in unparalleled elegance.”
Six Senses on the way
As things are under construction for the Six Senses resort that’s to come, visitors can easily access the course. From the parking lot and past the putting green, it’s a short walk to the restaurant where you can find Umbrian dishes like truffle pasta. Across from the restaurant, you’ll find the gift shop where you can find Antognolla apparel and golf supplies. Perched on a mountain is the castle, which at one point in history would have been the home of a lord who protected the area. It overlooks the course. Over time, the castle has also been a Benedictine monastery and has been privately owned by different families.
“Six Senses at Antognolla promises to deliver an elevated lifestyle experience, deeply rooted in the brand’s core values of wellness, sustainability and connection to nature,” continues Burguière. Currently, it is under construction to be a part of the resort and will feature suites, rooms and a restaurant that will overlook the 18 holes. Directly across the castle is where the modern part of the resort is being constructed. It will feature the renowned Six Senses spa, a restaurant, a restored church, an interfaith courtyard for weddings, a hiking trail and 17 new residences.
“For our members, this partnership translates into access to some of the most exclusive amenities in the world. The spa for example will offer personalized wellness programs that balance the mind, body and spirit, all while drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the surroundings,” Burguière adds. All of the residences are named Borgo Massarello and will celebrate the charm of European culture and family life, with one to four-bedroom options.
Mariano Di Vaio and golf
Antognolla is Mariano Di Vaio’s go-to course. “One of the things I like about Antognolla is the landscape,” the model, fashion designer and entrepreneur tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I thank God that I get to travel a lot and get to see a lot of beautiful places, but there is something magical here. You have the castle in the background with the beautiful view. Here you find a lot of good reasons to come. I’m really passionate about where I’m from. The older I get, the prouder I am of my roots and where I come from. It reminds me of my grandma’s place. Antognolla gives me that vibe of home, of family.”
One of the first successful fashion bloggers in Italy and internationally, Di Vaio won awards and found himself pivoting in front of the camera but as a model. Once back home, he found success by doing fashion campaigns for brands including Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Diesel and Tommy Hilfiger. Then, he pivoted once again and launched Nohow, a men’s fashion brand in 2014, and now there’s a golf line.
“Golf lets me disconnect from everyday life — not in a bad way, but when you’re on the golf course, nature gives you that tranquility. And everything that matters in that moment is that little white ball. Putting all your energy and focus on that little thing makes everything else slow down a little. It’s going back to a slow lifestyle, which is kind of hard these days,” Di Vaio says. He started playing golf when his first child was born. Before taking up the sport, Di Vaio wouldn’t describe himself as patient but playing golf helped him achieve the virtue. “Golf humbles you. There needs to be something else in golf that drives you, and I found little things in the sport that kept me going along the way,” he adds.
Now that his fashion brand has reached success shipping worldwide, the father of four — who is married to Eleonora Brunacci Di Vaio, a trained lawyer and legal consultant to his company — finds contentment in his business ventures, family life, modeling and new golf line, featuring pieces that are versatile to wear from the office to the golf course and are made with eco-friendly materials.
“There’s that saying that guys could wear the same T-shirt for a month, but they show up on a golf course like it’s Milan Fashion Week. My friends and I really care about what we wear on a golf course. The mind plays a very big role in golf, like 70 percent. The way you dress gives you confidence,” he says.
“As Italy continues to flourish as a golf destination and attract high-end leisure travelers, it’s important for locals to embrace the sport and contribute to its development, just as Mariano Di Vaio has, ensuring Italy’s position on the global golf map,” says Burguière. “His commitment to the growth of golf is driven by his genuine love for the game, which he enjoys at a high level alongside his children. And his passion for golf naturally intertwines with his work in fashion, leading him to create a golf clothing line.”
Antognolla is a place that brings people together, whether celebrity or not; it’s an environment where everyone can thrive and grow in golf. Once the resort is complete, it will reach new heights. “We are not just building a resort,” adds Burguière. “We are cultivating a lifestyle that honors the rich cultural heritage of Umbria while offering modern, world-class amenities.”
