The 60th Italian Open Telecom Italia, to be played from May 1-4, 2003, will return to Gardagolf, Brescia, for the first time since 1997.
Gardagolf is one of the classic Italian parkland courses overlooked by the Alps with the spectacular Lake Garda glistening nearby. The course undulates between olive groves and vineyards near Brescia and will be hosting the event for the second time.
Franco Chimenti, President of the Italian Golf Federation said: "We trust that in Gardagolf we will have a memorable edition of our Open and look forward to enhancing our special relationship with The European Tour. We are also delighted the 60th Italian Open Telecom Italia has moved back to its traditional Spring date."
Bernhard Langer won the title the last time the event was played at Gardagolf, shooting a course record eight under par 64 in the final round to overhaul José Maria Olazábal and win the title by a stroke. Gardagolf also hosted the 1993 Kronenbourg Open, won by Sam Torrance.
Commenting on the return to Gardagolf, Langer said: "Gardagolf is a wonderful course in a beautiful setting and I am sure everybody will enjoy the experience of playing one of the finest courses in Italy. I certainly enjoyed the layout and rank my final round there in 1997 as one of the best of my career."
The tournament, first played in 1925, has a rich and varied history of venues and champions, the latest being England's Ian Poulter who recorded his second victory in the event in the space of three years at Olgiata Golf Club last November. Other past champions include players of the calibre of Billy Casper, Sir Henry Cotton, Tony Jacklin, Langer, Sandy Lyle, Greg Norman and Peter Thomson.
