NEWS & ANALYSIS
FACT FILE
Age: 59 Background: Born in Bergamo, Costantino Rocca (Tino to his friends and family) is Italy’s most successful golfer. He was the first Italian to play in the Ryder Cup and has played in three, helping Europe to victory in 1995 and 1997. Victories: Rocca chalked up five victories on the European Tour between 1993 and 1999, including the prestigious Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth. He has won twice since joining the European Seniors Tour in 2007. Best performances: Rocca’s most famous moment was when he fluff ed a chip shot on the 18th hole of the 1995 Open at St Andrews, only to sink a rollercoaster 60ſt putt from the Valley of Sin and force a play-off which he ultimately lost to John Daly. He is also the only player to have beaten Tiger Woods in a Ryder Cup singles match, gaining a four-and- two victory over the then 21-year-old at Valderrama in 1997. He also tied fiſt h in the Masters in 1997, playing with eventual winner Tiger Woods in the final round.
Olympics are normally the best athletes in every sport from each country. I understand why some people didn’t want to play because of the threat of [Zika virus] mosquitoes. But I don’t respect those who say it isn’t in their schedule. The Olympics only happen every four years and we see all the other athletes prepare for it. The golfers who said no this year lost that opportunity.
Who do you enjoy playing golf with most? I enjoy playing with people like Woosie [Ian Woosnam], Sam Torrance and Jose Maria Olazabal. They are some of the best players in the world, in my opinion.
Who don’t you enjoy playing golf with? I don’t have any problem playing with people. I am friendly with everyone. But I don’t talk very much with people who are too slow. I don’t like slow players and I don’t like to play with them. It is just thinking too much.
Who do you admire as a golfer? Bernhard Langer is a fantastic player and I learnt a lot from him. He may be slow to play his shots, but I love playing with Bernhard. He was so cool when he played and he was a very good friend to me. And there is [[Nick]] Faldo too – he is younger than me but with a lot of experience.
22 ABTA Golf 2017
What are your favourite golf courses and regions in Italy? There are fantastic courses in Sardinia, Sicily and Puglia. One of the best courses I have played in Italy is Is Molas in Sardinia, where I won my fi rst tournament — the Nazionale Open, in 1984. I also like Biella le Betulle in Piemonte. It is a very beautiful mountain course and very challenging.
Which are your favourite golf courses overseas? You have to play the Old Course at St Andrews but my favourite course is Carnoustie. I also like Le Golf National in Paris (where the 2018 Ryder Cup will be held).
What would you say are essential parts of a golf holiday? For people coming to Italy, the food is very important. Everywhere you go there is wonderful food and wine, and also history and culture. If you go with friends, you can enjoy those and the golf.
Where do you like to go on holiday? As professional golfers we play golf all our lives. It is not easy because you have to change country and your bed every week. When I take a holiday I like to relax and not play golf so I go to a lit le house 1,500 metres up in the mountains in Lombardy. It was my
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