Sicily’s Verdura Resort has enjoyed a momentous 2017, and leading figures from the business and golfing worlds became the latest to experience the award-winning golf and lifestyle destination resort by participating in the prestigious 2017 Buccellati Invitational Pro-Am. Five months after hosting stars of the European Tour for the inaugural Rocco Forte Open, 26 teams from countries as far afield as Venezuela and Canada joined players from Italy to compete on the resort’s two 18-hole championship courses – the East and West.
Emanuele Canonica and Marco Crespi – both previous winners on the European Tour – headed the select field of professionals and amateurs competing for an array of star prizes, with all the winners being presented with individual, hand-crafted silver shells thanks to main sponsors Buccellati. And Gugliemo Bravetti made sure he had a weekend to remember as he claimed top honours in the 54-hole individual event for professionals with a final score of six-under-par.
The pro-am, which took place over four days, was being held at Verdura Resort for the sixth successive year and Andrea Buccellati, President of Buccellati Holding, said: “This year’s event was as good as ever and exceeded all our expectations. “The resort and courses get better every year we visit, the spirit and camaraderie among the field was outstanding and this year’s event was made extra special with players from all over the world taking part.”
Nestling on the coast in 230 hectares of stunning landscape, warmed by the Mediterranean sun and refreshed by the sea breeze, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel and member of the exclusive European Tour Properties network, was named by Golf Digest as a recipient of an ‘Editors’ Choice Award for Best International Resorts’ in 2016 and 2017 and provides golf on a grand scale. Designed by Kyle Phillips, the resort’s golf courses offer uninterrupted views of the azure waters from the undulating greens. The venue includes two 18-hole championship courses, a nine-hole, par-three layout and extensive practice facilities including a double-ended driving range and outstanding academy. In addition to unlimited use of golf facilities, 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. Verdura Resort’s knowledgeable concierge is also able to offer a range of excursions outside of the hotel, from vineyards to ancient temples.
Situated on Sicily’s southern coast between Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, an 80-minute drive from Trapani and Palermo airports, Verdura Resort – a Rocco Forte hotel – features 203 rooms and suites, 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 www.roccofortehotels.com.
