Arias named best superintendent

Spanish superintendent Lara Arias – now at 2023 Ryder Cup venue Marco Simone Golf & Country Club – has been rewarded for her excellence by claiming top honours at the recent Italian Golf Awards.

Arias, who also worked on Le Golf National in the build up to the 2018 Ryder Cup, moved to the outskirts of Rome in 2020 as Italy continues its countdown to hosting golf’s biggest party in 2023.

Arias’ “unique professionalism, outstanding passion and excellent technical skills” were crucial in securing the accolade.

“Thank you for believing in me, it motivates me to keep working hard every day,” she wrote on Twitter with a picture alongside her dog Ryder.

Arias started out in 2014 then became one of nearly 150 volunteers from across Europe to temporarily join the Syngenta-sponsored greenkeeping team in Paris ahead of the 2018 spectacle.

The past intern of the Ohio State University Turf Programme met LGN’s courses and estates manager Alejandro Reyes in the USA and told Pitchcare in 2018 about breaking down gender stereotypes in the industry.

"People have to change their mindset that this business is only for men, because we can do it.

"Give us opportunities to work on the golf course, and you will see that it will be fine. We have shown that there isn't any problem to have women working on a golf course; we can do everything."

Arias is clearly made for the big time as she said in 2018 and her experience under severe pressure will prove vital in Italy.

"I love working in the tournament environment. I would love to, one day, prepare my own golf course for a great tournament – maybe a European Tour or a PGA Tour event.

"When you really love your job it makes every day easier. I hope to be working on a golf course for all of my life."