La Bagnaia Golf Resort: Discover Your Own Tuscan Vacation Story
By Tim Cotroneo
Martin Shaw’s Glasgow, Scotland golf roots seem youthful compared to the hallowed ground of his workplace at Royal Golf La Bagnaia Golf Course in Tuscany, Italy. Considering that Shaw’s native Scotland is the birthplace of golf, La Bagnaia’s 2700-rolling-acres must have impressive history behind it.
When Shaw started working at this Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course, he learned that several of the buildings connected to the accompanying resort structures dated back to the 12th century. It’s not every golf course GM who can stand on the first tee box and see a church, a horse station, and a hotel that may have possibly shared a historical connection with Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci.
Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, an art connoisseur, or someone who simply takes pleasure in an epic European countryside, La Bagnaia Golf Resort is here for you. Let’s explore why this serene vacation destination is an Italian wine country must-see.
The Setting
The surround encompassing the La Bagnaia Golf Resort takes you back in time. Your visual vista changes depending on the time of day or the time of year. The Cypress trees, olive groves, working farms, golf course, and centuries-old roadways are all visible from the resort’s elevated viewpoint, and these landscapes offer a kaleidoscope of colors.
The Hotel
La Bagnaia Golf Resort is resplendent with 72 rooms and suites featuring original medieval ancestry complemented by a pool, a bar, a restaurant, and gardens. With its elevated setting looking out at the golf course and countryside, the resort is an excellent venue for weddings and outdoor celebrations.
The Golf Course
The Robert Trent Jones Jr designed Royal Golf La Bagnaia course is an inland links affair featuring undulating hills, five lakes, massive bunkers, and an extensive practice area. After your round, enjoy a cocktail at the renovated farmhouse turned clubhouse.
Vineyards, Wineries, and Truffles
In ancient times, Italy was known as the “Land of Wine.” Tuscany boasts a wealth of grape varieties and vineyards. Many of the guests at La Bagnaia make it a point to explore nearby wineries for tastings, participate in cooking classes, or venture out on a truffle hunting excursion.
Piazza del Campo
Set out on a 20-minute drive north from La Bagnaia Golf Resort, and you’ll discover Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares. For 363 days per year, this site is a favorite hub for socializing, people watching, and sight-seeing. On the other two days, this plaza is alive with 40,000 spectators witnessing the Palio di Siena, a bareback horse race dating back to the year 1630. You’ll also find the Torre del Mangia tower built in 1338 and the Joyous Fountain, completed in 1419.
E-Biking the Countryside
Explore the estate by e-bike and follow the same route as the famous Strade Bianche bicycle race. This celebrated Italian trek starts and ends in Siena while recapturing the heroic era of bicycling popular during the early 20th century.
Florence Day Trip
From the resort’s front entrance, Tuscany’s capital city of Florence is just a one hour drive. Art, history, and culture lovers will thrill to Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo, and Giotto Bell Tower. See why Florence is called the Jewel of the Renaissance.
Write Your Own Tuscan Story at La Bagnaia
La Bagnaia Golf Resort delivers so much historic hospitality that one wonders who graced these grounds before you. Home to such a romantic background, the La Bagnaia Resort bills itself as a Tuscan Story Maker.
A living example is Martin Shaw’s journey to Siena by way of Glasgow, and then Naples, FL, before arriving at Royal Golf La Bagnaia. Shaw leapt at the chance to work in Italy’s golf industry, and he’s immersed himself in Italian culture. Today he enjoys learning how his international clientele found their way to La Bagnaia.
Choosing a La Bagnaia vacation is an opportunity to play 18 glorious golf holes, savor authentic Italian cuisine, or sip wine at sunset while overlooking Tuscany’s rolling hills. Best of all, staying at a resort with a history going back one thousand years is a great way to write your own story under the Tuscan sun. https://www.labagnaiaresort.com/
