An Interview with Zeke Martinez, Head of The Golf Academy

here’s a secret among golfers at Antognolla: a location on the course that promises the most spectacular views. But if there is one person who discovered it first, it's Zeke Martinez, a man who knows the golf course inside out.

“My favourite spot at Antognolla golf course is the tee at the 13th hole. You’re sitting up on top of the tee and you’re looking all about the golf course. You can see the castle in the background. It’s a very nice spot to be” – to say the least.

A Golf Academy Led by a Golf Champion

Zeke has been the Head of the Golf Academy at Antognolla since 2021, but he has been practising there for much longer. ‘I chose Antognolla to practise because it was an 18-hole golf course and it was a good challenge’, says Zeke, who before joining Antognolla was running the 9-hole Lamborghini golf course in Umbria, which he built and designed.

‘When you play the golf course at Antognolla, you are never in a flat area. You have uphill, side-hill, downhill positions that you need to hit the shots to the greens, and that actually gave me a good variety of swings and options. There’s a lot of different positions that Antognolla Golf Club allows you to learn.’

Originally from Glendale, California, Zeke moved to Italy 22 years ago. He has played golf on just about every surface, in just about every country, from the United States to Italy and Japan, and in a number of languages. A Pro-Am Champion (Aegean Airlines International), three-time PGA Italian Club Professional Champion and three-time Italian PGA Senior Champion, he was also a part of the Japan PGA Tour (1991–1993), the South American Tour (1998–2021), and the European Senior Tour (2012-2015), among others.

According to Zeke, he owes his career to one person: his best friend, who introduced him to golf during his teenage years with a visit to Long Beach, California. Later, a public golf course opened next to Zeke’s childhood home, giving him the opportunity to practice without limits. Not only is he a professional golfer now, but he also helps others improve their game.

At the Academy, Zeke teaches golfers of all levels, from professionals to families seeking to learn how to play golf together. Golfers can select one of Antognolla’s multiple-class packages. Both members and non-members can take lessons. Members of the golf club can practise with free range balls that come as part of their membership. Antognolla Golf also uses the most up-to-date technology like Trackman, an apparatus which measures swing parameters, and Capto, top putting software.

But more than the amenities, it’s the people and the golfers who make the golf course, and Zeke is determined to keep his students playing even when the game gets tough. “Golf is like a rollercoaster ride”, he says. “My advice is to never give up. There are times when you would just like to break the club that you have in your hands because golf is a difficult sport, but you have to have patience with yourself.” The view from the 13th tee certainly helps with that.

Antognolla Golf is considered as one of the most spectacular and challenging golf courses in Italy. It’s maintained to a 5* level with stunning views of Antognolla luxury resort and residences.

Antognolla Golf was recognised as 'Italy's Best Golf Course' by the prestigious World Golf Awards in October 2020, November 2022, and again in November 2024.