Golf in Piazza events in the Italian cities of Rome and Milan were attended by over 10,000 people as excitement builds for the Ryder Cup later this year.
As the country builds towards the biennial showpiece later this year, the Golf in Piazza events took place 230 days before the clash between Team Europe and Team USA, scheduled from 29 September to 1 October at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Over 10,000 people in Rome, at Viale delle Magnolie in the heart of Villa Borghese, and Milan in Piazza del Duomo, discovered the magic of golf up close. Ministers of the Italian Government, the Mayor of Rome, Ambassadors, Federal Presidents, personalities from the world of sport and entertainment participated with passion and enthusiasm in Golf in Piazza, the first event of the Road to Rome 2023.
Families and children attended what was an important day for Italian golf, filling two symbolic places of Rome and Milan with joy and fun as attention turned not only to the Ryder Cup, but also a driving force for tourism, promoting the Expo Roma 2030 candidacy and that of other major international events.
Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: “The Ryder Cup represents a formidable commercial driving force. An unmissable opportunity also to boost tourism and reveal the treasures of our home to the whole world. At the same time, it is an extraordinary opportunity to raise awareness of the 'Italian system' should our country, as I hope, be indicated as the site of Expo 2030.
“The Ryder Cup is an event with history, thanks also to the worldwide popularity that this event boasts. A global interest that will present a new face of the Eternal City, capable of hosting one of the major sporting events in the world. This is an extraordinary appointment which, combined with the great organisational machine that is already in motion for the Jubilee, will demonstrate the receptive and organisational capacity of Rome and of the whole country. Ryder Cup and the other major events the Government has already planned, in my opinion form the foundations of what will be the projects aimed at Expo 2030".
Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism, said: “As Italians we must be proud of having managed to bring the Ryder Cup, which is the largest golf event in the world, to Italy, in Rome. We start from here today, but we are also present in Rome, to start the process that will allow us to approach September and spread knowledge of a sport that is not as elitist as it may seem at first glance, and which is indeed a sport for everyone, from young to old.
“Sport delivers sociability and conviviality, two dimensions that are of crucial importance for our young people, because they help them grow and keep them on the right path, whilst also being in contact with greenery and the environment. In short, we are here today to celebrate the importance of teamwork, because this is what allows us to achieve great results, and if we have managed to bring the Ryder Cup to Italy it is thanks to the collaboration with Federgolf and the Foreign and Sport Ministers. As Minister of Tourism, then, I can only be proud and happy: sport is a fundamental lever of tourism, and golf and the Ryder Cup in particular will bring important tourist flows to our nation, generating not indifferent induced activities for our economy.”
Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth, said: "Today's event was not just a further step towards the extraordinary Italian Ryder Cup, but a commercial for golf, to promote its social, environmentally friendly, accessible to everyone. The presence of so many people of all ages, of families, starting with children, bodes well that this discipline will become as popular in Italy as it is in Europe and around the world.
“This morning, in the wonderful setting of Villa Borghese, I really enjoyed myself; of course I definitely need to refine my technique, but I think I have excellent opportunities for improvement and to lower my handicap as a novice golfer. I thank my colleagues, Antonio Tajani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Daniela Santanchè, Minister of Tourism, for their precious support to the Ryder Cup project to encourage golf diplomacy and its extraordinary function of promoting tourism.
“Thanks also to President Franco Chimenti and the Italian Golf Federation for the work they are carrying out in view of one of the biggest sporting events in the world, in which the team that will represent Europe will face the USA and where the fans of our Continent will be cheering for the European colours, a sign of strong unity which I hope will be an example for everyone”.
Franco Chimenti, President of the Italian Golf Federation, said: “The Ryder Cup in Rome is a source of pride for the whole country, an incredible appointment that will see Team Europe, united under a single flag, challenge Team USA at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
“The expectation is very high and, 230 days before the start, in agreement with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Sport and Youth, we have decided to organize a double event - Golf in Piazza - in symbolic places of Rome and Milan, which proved to be a triumph. An Open Day that will serve to bring more and more people closer to this sport, because golf is for everyone and for everyone.
“The Ryder Cup will mark an epochal turning point for the movement and will help strengthen the country's image in the eyes of the world in relation to the organisation of major international events. Thanks to the Government, to all the Institutions for the support always shown to us and to the Federal Presidents for their very important closeness. This is a great project for all of Italy".
Gian Paolo Montali, General Manager of the Ryder Cup 2023 Project, said: “In the sign of the Ryder Cup 2023 Project, which has the enhancement of the territory, from North to South, among its essential points, Golf in Piazza is back. It was a double promotional show in the context of an inclusive and educational sport, which involved over 10,000 people. In a few months, 300,000 people from all over the world will arrive in Rome for the Ryder Cup, a unique showcase for Italy, to give even more impetus to tourism, including golf.
“Tickets are sold out with requests arriving from over 120 different countries. A special coin was dedicated to the Italian Ryder Cup, on the occasion of the 2023 Numismatic Collection. A historical fact that symbolizes the involvement of the whole nation and represents a tool for enhancing Italy's image in the world. Seeing golf and the Ryder Cup alongside icons of Italian historical, artistic and cultural heritage is truly exciting. Thanks to the Institutions, that today attended the event, for having believed in this great project which will also enhance the Italian brand”.
