Golf Gerre Losone was designed by Peter Harradine in close communion with nature and was perfectly integrated into the attractive surrounding recreational area. Embedded in the fascinating valley south of the “Terre die Pedemonte”, between the Melezza-River and the hills of Losone with grand chestnut trees, the golfer gets a view on the beautiful landscape.
Located just 3 km from Lake Maggiore, the course is distinctly different to its classic, tree-lined neighbour in nearby Ascona. Here you are faced with a more modern, open and very challenging layout, a course that has regularly tested the best on the Ladies European Tour. Several tightish fairways, unnerving out of bounds, rippling earthmounds, and plenty of rock-lined streams and ponds all conspire to demand accurate shot-making versus wayward length. Sand bunkers may be limited to just one or two per hole, but they are usually large, well-placed and decidedly intimidating !
As additional tree-planting matures, some holes will tighten up even more, reinforcing the need for accuracy and careful course management. Among the tougher holes, the par-3 5th can be penal if you stray too far offline, out of bounds closely bordering the right-side of the fairway from tee-to-green. On this scenic, varied and thoroughly testing layout, the long par-5 15th does a wonderful job of mirroring the steep-sided valley within which the course lies. At the top end of the layout, the picturesque valley, with its tree-clad slopes and sheer cliff faces, disappears into dramatic mountain scenery with a real Alpine flourish.
In contrast, the many rock and palm-fringed water hazards on the course, create a somewhat contrasting and faintly oriental feel – perhaps underlining the variety of scenery and golfing challenge that Golf Gerre Losone presents.
The Club House, simple and elegant, has a large terrace and is the ideal meeting place to sample the refined cuisine of the restaurant in a convivial and relaxed.