Giro di Garda 2026
May 10th - 15th
Immerse yourselves in the Italian Lakes and their unique scenery next Spring. Join us for five days on the shores of Lake Garda surrounded by the enchanting scenery
of the Italian Lakes, with golf at three of Italy's most exclusive Golf Clubs.
The competition is open to all Golf Club members with an official Handicap: winners will be decided by the highest aggregate, Betterball, Stableford score* over the three days of the tournament.
*Full Handicap allowance.
First Prize: £400 Holiday voucher
Second Prize: £200 Holiday voucher
Third Prize: £100 Holiday voucher
This year our Italian Lakes tournament takes us back to Lake Garda and the delightful town of Desenzano del Garda on its southern shore. The golf courses are three of the best, kicking off with Jack Nicklaus' course at Palazzo Arzaga, followed by the fabulous Franciacorta deep in Prosecco country and climaxing at the classic Garda Golf Club, the original Lake Garda course (and home to Matteo Mannasero no less).
In between there will be a full day off for sightseeing, and relaxing, although with so much to do in the region twenty-four hours may not be long enough!
The tournament hotel - Park Hotel****
For the five nights of the event we shall be staying at the best hotel in town - the stylish Park Hotel****. One of the original Desenzano hotels, in the very heart of the town, it is the perfect location for getting the most out of the town and lake (or just sunning yourself by the rooftop pool!). Friendly staff, comfortable bedrooms, an excellent restaurant, plus the convenience of an underground car-park: just about everything you need for the perfect Lake Garda holiday!
The Tournament Schedule
Check-in to the Park Hotel**** in the lakeside town of Desenzano di Garda. Afternoon free to investigate your new surroundings, take a lakeside stroll, or just relax by the rooftop pool.
Evening: Reception, tournament registration and welcome dinner at the Park Hotel (wines included).
Morning: First round of the competition at Arzaga Golf Club.
A very Nicklaus design course around the impressive Palazzo Arzaga out to the West of the lake. Other than one ridge, an easy to walk course between Jack's characteristic bunkering, large Greens and a few lakes to boot! As always with Nicklaus courses, hazards are plain to see from the Tee - so no hidden surprises!
The course is about half-an-hour from the hotel.
Afternoon and evening: Free.
Morning: Second competition round at Franciacorta G.C.
A wonderfully traditional parkland course buried amongst the vineyards of Franciacorta. A layout with a huge variety of holes that both teases and entertains in equal measure! There are a few inclines to the course, so please ask us to reserve a buggy if you think you might need one? (Normally closed on Tuesdays but opening especially for us).
The course is about 45 minutes from the hotel.
Afternoon and evening: at leisure.
A full day off to relax and soak up the beauty of Lake Garda and the surrounding hills.
From the small lakeside town of Desenzano del Garda you are perfectly placed for investigating this part of Italy where Lombardy meets Veneto.
The nearby city of Verona with its pristine Roman amphitheatre in the centre of town and radiating narrow streets of shops makes a great day out - and all under an hour away. (If you are considering a trip to Venice, it will take about two-hours by car or train to get there).
Should you have more aquatic intentions, then the ferries from the embarcadero in Desenzano link all of the lakeside towns. First stop is Sirmione, a narrow spit of land with a castle and a pedestrian-only medieval town to stroll.
Or if three days of golf is not enough for you then consider the drive over to Verona to play their lovely old course.
It's going to be a busy day off...
Morning: Final competition round at Garda Golf.
The original Lake Garda Golf Club and an appropriate conclusion to the tournament as it has hosted the Italian Open on many ocassions. A fine, traditional Club it is too. There are 27-holes on the gently sloping hills around the Clubhouse, every one lined with mature trees and quite a few decorated with water hazards, so tread carefully!
The course is about twenty minutes from the hotel.
Evening: Free. Reception and prize-giving dinner at the Park Hotel (wines included).
Departure day; or why not stay for the weekend at Garda or one af the other Italian Lakes; maybe even in Venice where we know some rather nice hotels...
Entry Fee per person - £936.00
• Five nights accommodation at the Park Hotel**** in Desenzano del Garda
• Buffet breakfasts
• Three rounds of competition golf
• Reception and welcome dinner on Sunday evening (wines included)
• Reception and prize-giving dinner on Thursday evening (wines included)Flights and hire-cars are not included
We can book these for you or advise on the best available routes and fares for you to book yourselves. As you are no doubt aware, the sooner you book the cheaper they will be!
Extra nights and room upgrades
Extra nights - £ 115.00 per person per night
Superior Rooms + £20 per person per night
Superior rooms are along the side of the hotel, have a balcony and a view of the lake.
Flights and Hire-cars to Lake Garda
The closest airport to Lake Garda is Verona, the next nearest are either Milan, Venice or Bologna. From Verona it will take about half-an-hour to get to Desenzano and it's a straightforward run on the autostrada; from the other airports it will take about two-hours to get to Lake Garda and the hotel.
Flights: Easyjet, British Airways, Ryanair (and a few others) offer flights from all over the UK to Verona and Milan; please let us know if you would like us to book your flights or advise on the best routes for you?
The (Ryan)airport at Orio al Serio (deceptively labelled 'Bergamo') is actually quite convenient for getting to Garda as it is right beside the autostrada and well away from Milan on the correct (east) side for heading to Lake Garda.
Hire cars
Whether you ask us to book your flights or arrange these yourselves, we can organise a hire-car to be ready and waiting for you at the airport.
Costs for a five-day rental will be in the region of:
Renault Megane (suitable for two): £ 450.00
Opel Zafira (for four): £ 525.00
Unlimited mileage and standard insurances included.
Map of Lake Garda
A map of Lake Garda with the hotel and course locations can be found here.
