One of only two golf courses in the world built on an active volcano, Picciolo Etna Golf Resort in Sicily presents a unique setting for its greenkeeping team. We caught up with head greenkeeper Salvatore Leonardi to discuss the agronomic realities and renovation plans, and what it takes to keep turf healthy when your office is on the side of Mount Etna.
Let’s start with the basics. What makes Picciolo Etna such a unique course to manage?
We’re the oldest course in Sicily, opened in 1989, and the only one built on the slopes of Mount Etna. There is only one other course in the world built on an active volcano and that is in Hawaii, so we are certainly unique in Europe. Here, you’re dealing with elevation changes, tight corridors carved into the volcanic landscape and a microclimate unlike anywhere else on the island. There’s around 150 metres of elevation difference between the lowest and highest holes – so not only do players get incredible views, but our greenkeeping team faces very specific maintenance demands.
How does the volcanic soil affect your agronomic strategy?
The volcanic soil is rich in minerals – silicon, magnesium, iron – that naturally enhance the health and resilience of the grass, maintaining optimal playing conditions throughout the year. The course was originally built using volcanic sand as topsoil for the greens, which adds excellent porosity. That helps with oxygenation and microbial activity, but it also means water drains very quickly.
So, our irrigation strategy is based on frequent, short cycles rather than deep, infrequent watering. We’re fortunate to have an abundant natural water source from the mountain’s runoff, which provides consistent irrigation and is a huge advantage in Sicily’s dry summers.
Do you apply fertilisers differently because of the soil’s mineral content?
We do try to limit fertiliser usage, but we still apply twice per year on fairways and five times annually on greens. Despite the mineral-rich soil, we must maintain nutrient balance carefully – especially nitrogen and potassium inputs. We use regular soil testing to guide our decisions and adjust based on weather patterns and growth cycles.
What grasses do you maintain, and how are they holding up in your microclimate?
Tees, fairways and roughs are a mix of perennial ryegrass, red fescue and meadow grass. Our greens are ‘Pencross’ bentgrass. Because we’re at elevation, we’re a few degrees cooler than the coast, which allows us to use cool-season species — even though the rest of Sicily relies heavily on Bermudagrass.
That said, summer is always the most stressful period. In the spring and autumn, conditions are ideal.
We mow the greens to 3.8mm – cut daily during the growing season April to November; fairways and tees to 19 mm, three times per week and rough to 50 mm, once per week.
We are also reducing mowing patterns in some areas, increasing naturalisation which cuts maintenance and helps the ecology across the course.
How does the natural environment influence your approach to sustainability?
The landscape itself is stunning, surrounded by diverse tree species and vibrant flora. The environment also supports local wildlife with migrating herons, for example, often stopping by the course’s lakes during their seasonal journeys, adding to the area’s unique natural charm.
We maintain naturalised areas beyond the playing corridors and avoid over-manicuring out-of-play zones. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), selective trimming and leaving buffer zones help us maintain biodiversity.
The views and the environment are part of what makes working here so rewarding – it is a constant reminder that we need to respect the landscape.
What recent renovation projects have taken place on the course?
We’ve recently completed a total bunker rebuild, improving shaping and drainage. We’re also in the process of rebuilding several tee boxes – tees one and three are done, and four more are scheduled on holes six, seven, eight and 15.
We’re about to begin renovating the cart paths at four key holes.
While the course is walkable, it’s very physically demanding. Improving paths will make it more accessible without impacting the natural terrain.
All of this is part of a larger plan to raise the standard of the course following our integration into the Curio Collection by Hilton earlier this year and aligned with the wider renovations to the hotel and spa areas.
How has the ownership change influenced course management and investment?
With the arrival of new owners – Andrea and Francesco Scrofani and Mario Pauluzi – there’s been a major push to elevate everything, both on and off the course. The hotel and spa facilities have undergone full refurbishment, and the course is now receiving the same level of attention.
The goal is to make Picciolo Etna a unique and special destination for golf in southern Europe, and that includes agronomic excellence. It’s a big opportunity for the greenkeeping team, because we have support to make long-term, meaningful improvements – not just cosmetic fixes.
What lessons do you think other greenkeepers can take from your experience?
Soil type matters: Understanding your substrate is crucial. Volcanic soils can be fertile but need tailored irrigation and nutrient strategies.
Microclimates are powerful: Just a few degrees’ difference in temperature can influence your entire species palette.
Sustainability isn’t just policy, it’s practice: Working with nature, especially in a protected or unique landscape, should shape every maintenance decision.
If there’s one message I’d share, it’s this: embrace the challenges of your site. Every course is unique, but the principles of smart, site-specific greenkeeping are universal.
Final thoughts?
We’re proud of the course, and of how we manage it. There’s nowhere else quite like this. Being a greenkeeper on a volcano means adapting every day, and that keeps you sharp.