Mariо Camicia - The world of golf loses another star
Mr. Golf of Italy, Mario Camicia, died after long-lasted illness at the age of 70. He worked as the Italian Open’s Tournament Director for many years and was recognized as a profound golf commentator on television. He was considered to be the most influential
people in the history of Italian golf.
Cаmіcіa played a key role in bringing golf to people’s homes and helped the game grow in Italy. He was the voice of golf in Italy.
European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady paid tribute to the legend by saying, “Mario epitomised everything that was special about Italian golf. He was a fervent supporter, a tireless administrator and Tournament Director of the Italian Open, and for
many years a great and passionate television commentator who contributed so immensely to the growth not only of all levels of Italian golfers but the whole European Tour.”
He further added, “He, and his individual welcome to Italy, will be sadly missed by all of us and so very many of our Members. He was, quite simply, unique.”
Camicia began his career as a sports commentator since the dawn of commercial television. In 1981, he started commenting on the golf competitions, initially on the Network Mediaset, then, with the rise of satellite TV, on Telepiu which was later named as
Sky Italia.
The newsreels appreciated his competence and spontaneity in his commentaries on some of the important golf tournaments in the history. He was considered to be a specialist to present and comment on the games involving Italian golfers.
In his career as a sports journalist, he was also the editor of ‘il Grande Golf’ (The Grande Golf magazine) and ‘Golf e Turismo’ (Golf & Tourism). Moreover, he was a collaborator of the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’ (The Journal of Sport) and of the ‘il Giornale’
(The Journal).
Costantino Rocca, one of the most successful golfers from Italy, said that he lost a great friend and the Italian golf lost a great person who gave his whole life for the sport. His voice will always remain in the hearts of golf lovers.
Mario Camicia’s funeral was held in Santa Maria delle Grazie, Corso Magenta, Milano. He left behind two children, Francesca (23) and Michele (16), and wife, Silvia.
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