HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN OPEN
The Italian Open boasts a long history of champions who have ennobled its roster, and others who brought prestige to the tournament despite not winning.
It is hard to imagine, 90 years on, that the first Italian Open was played by three distinguished gentlemen wearing suits. William H. Jolly and Luigi Prette, in that distant September day of 1925, hopped on the first tee and took off their jackets; but Francesco Pasquali simply buttoned his up before hitting his first shot. He completed the 36 holes in 154 shots – one better than Jolly.
The second edition, which was attended by the most renowned professionals of the era, was won by 18 year old Frenchman August Boyer, who would go on to establish a record of four victories (in 1926, 1929, 1930, 1931) – a feat which was later emulated by Belgian Flory Van Donck. Boyer remains the youngest winner of the tournament, although since the tournament joined the European Tour in 1972, Francesco Molinari (aged 23 years and 180 days in 2006) is recognised as the event’s youngest winner.
Two other characters characterised the pre-war period, Percy Alliss and Senator Agnelli, Gianni’s grandfather, the founder of Fiat cars. Alliss became the tournament’s third winner in 1927, and added a second title in 1935. He was followed into the winners’ enclosure in 1958 by his son, Peter, making them the only father and son combination to have lifted the trophy. Senator Agnelli was a real pioneer, launching the first advertising campaign for golf tourism. To advertise the course that he had built in Sestrieres, he hired Henry Cotton, who had two Open Championship victories to his name, with the intention of attracting wealthy English clients. It had the desired effect, but World War II soon intervened.
After the resumption in 1947 in San Remo, home players enjoyed a period of dominance. Aldo Casera (1948) was followed into the winners’ circle by Ugo Grappasonni (1950-1954), and nine times Italian players finished second. Casera and Grappasonni were two of the "three Musketeers" who dominated the national scene at that time. The third, Alfonso Angelini, failed to claim the title, but finished second three times (in 1950, 1958, 1959).
After the 1960 edition, the tournament was suspended until 1971, when it moved to Garlenda Golf, where the winner was Ramon Sota – uncle of Severiano Ballesteros. Subsequently, some great champions rose to prominence, notably Billy Casper who in 1975 triumphed at Monticello at the ripe old age of 44 – he remains the oldest winner to this day. Other greats such as Tony Jacklin (1973), Peter Oosterhuis (1974) and Dale Hayes (1978) also etched their names on the trophy, whilst some stars of the future also announced their arrival by lifting the trophy, notably José Maria Cañizares (1981) and a young Bernhard Langer (1983).
There were two other titles for Italians, with Baldovino Dassù (Is Molas, 1976) and Massimo Mannelli (in 1980). Dassù’s vcitory was by eight shots – a tournament record which still stands to this day.
In 1988 in Monticello, Greg Norman added hios name to the rollcall of champions. Between rounds Norman found time to travel to Maranello to buy a Ferrari, returning to the course to claim victory over Craig Parry with a rousing finish. Norman was subsequently joined in the winners’ circle by his fellow Major Champions by Sandy Lyle (1984 and 1992) and Langer, who doubled his tally of titles in 1997.
At the turn of the century, the Italian Open became a launch pad for young talent, including a maiden European Tour title for Ian Poulter in 2000 (he won again in 2002).
In 2003, the Italian Golf Federation took over the reins of the event with its own organising committee and with a forward-looking agreement with the European Tour. Fittingly, the tournament was won the following year by Graeme McDowell, who would later go on to claim Major Championship and Ryder Cup glory.
In 2006, Francesco Molinari claimed the seventh home victory, 26 years after the previous one.
In 2013, almost 30,000 spectators descended on Circolo Golf Torino La Mandria as Julien Quesne claimed his second European Tour title, so justifying the decision of Franco Chimenti, President of the Italian Golf Federation, to grant free admission in order to promote golf.
In 2014, the venue for the 71st edition was Circolo Golf Torino, a popular venue which drew even bigger crowds, with 34,500 turning out to witness a tournament won by South African Hennie Otto – whose first victory came first European Tour victory came at the same tournament in 2008.
Otto was succeeded as champion by Swede Rikard Karlberg, who upset the odds by defeating Martin Kaymer in a sudden death play-off at Golf Club Milano 12 months ago.
