Prime Verdura resort impresses European Tour elite

Sicily's Verdura Resort has further established its place among the most beautiful golf destinations in the world, with 2018 Rocco Forte Sicilian Open winner Joaquim Lagergren leading the plaudits for the multi-award-winning venue. 

The tournament - the second year in a row that it has been staged at the resort - attracted an impressive line-up headed by European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn, defending champion Alvaro Quirós and 2014 European Ryder Cup star Andy Sullivan. 

Lagergren secured his maiden victory on the European Tour by holing an eight-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole of a play-off with France's Mike Lorenzo-Vera, and the Swede was among the players queueing up to praise Verdura Resort after receiving his trophy from tournament host, Sir Rocco Forte. 

"I love this place," said Lagergren. "The golf course is awesome and you get a view over the Mediterranean on nearly every hole. 

"The course we played was in awesome condition. The greens are really good and these are probably the best fairways that we have played all year." 

"The Rocco Forte Verdura Resort is world class. Can't wait to come back!" 

The 2018 Rocco Forte Sicilian Open was staged again on one of the most spectacular and picturesque courses on the  European Tour calendar, with a composite course combining the finest holes from the venue's two 18-hole championship courses, the East Course and West Course. 

Measuring 7,217 yards, the par-71 lay-out comprised of nine holes each from the two Kyle Phillips-designed courses and included one of the most dramatic finishes in world tournament golf, with the final six holes running adjacent to the coast and set against the stunning backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. 

And, in addition to having their skills put to the test on Verdura Resort's acclaimed golf courses, the players and their families also had the chance to experience the exclusive venue's array of other first-class facilities during an unforgettable week. 

Sullivan said: "It's just so relaxed out here and it's just such a beautiful setting. Anytime you get scenery like this and holes next to the sea as it is, it's absolutely fantastic, and the course was in unbelievable condition." 

Fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell said: "I came last year for the first time with my girlfriend and we loved it. You have great food, great rooms, a really nice course and lovely weather, so it is kind of as much of a holiday as it is a golf tournament for me, and I like to have a few of those a year where you can kind of amend your priorities somewhat if you like."

Quirós added: "It is a lovely place, I mean it's a paradise in the middle of Sicily. It's a great place - we have lovely restaurants and the golf course is a very nice one too, especially this year as it was in great shape." 

Nestling on the coast in 230 hectares of stunning landscape, Verdura Resort - a Rocco Forte hotel and European Tour destination - is ideal for a golf break and features two outstanding 18-hole championship courses - the East Course and West Course - as well as a par-three nine-hole course, all designed by Kyle Phillips. 

Complementing Verdura Resort's outstanding golf courses are extensive golf practice facilities including a double-ended driving range and outstanding academy. In addition, guests can enjoy numerous other sports and leisure amenities including six tennis courts, an array of different watersports, a 170sqm fully-equipped gym and an award-winning 4,000sqm spa complex with thalassotherapy pools. 

Situated on Sicily's southern coast between Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, an 80-minute drive from Trapani and Palermo airports, the resort features 203 rooms, suites and villas all with a sea view, as well as three new villas which offer a perfect solution for family holidays, each with its own private swimming pool. 

Serving up a mixture of sunny skies, a temperate climate and breathtaking scenery, combined with a plethora of historical, cultural and gastronomic delights, Sicily has all the ingredients for a relaxing break, and Verdura Resort is the ideal base to discover this authentic part of the Mediterranean's largest island. 

For more information on Verdura Resort and to book, visit roccofortehotels.com/verdura-resort 

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