One of Europe’s top golfing destinations, Verdura Resort in Sicily, has returned to 45 holes with the reopening of the spectacular new-look East Course following a major redesign.
Globally acclaimed golf architect Kyle Phillips returned to the site of his original creation to upgrade the 18-hole championship layout and has spent the last three years reworking his magic at Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel. The much-anticipated revamped course was unveiled to the golfing world earlier this month.
The premium layout to all visitors
The extensive renovation has seen a number of new features added and modifications made to the routing of the East Course and the neighbouring West Course. The reordering of hole numbers has allowed for the restoration of former favourite holes and brings exciting new additions, while the planting of fescue grasses throughout the course gives the layout added definition.
Phillips said: “We have certainly made the most of the terrain available to us. The drama of the coastline has been improved and we’re proud of what has been achieved. It is new and fresh, the result is great and I think it will be really well received. It has definitely reached the level we were striving for.
“One of the big differences is with the routing. With the previous layout, you would cross the other course and they would weave through each other a little at times. Now they are more clearly defined.
“The course now starts near the practice range on an existing hole, has 14 new holes in between and then finishes on three existing holes back to the clubhouse. This will make the East Course a par-73 course and the West a par-70.
“They will both be good challenges. Naturally, with any new course, it takes time to take shape and we’re expecting it to continually improve throughout the winter months so that golfers will enjoy even better playing conditions in 2022.”
How the new East Course brings joy to the community.
The reopening of the new East Course adds to the extensive selection of exceptional facilities available at Verdura Resort. Home of the European Tour’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open, Verdura is nestled in 230 hectares of stunning Mediterranean landscape on Sicily’s southern coast. The courses and facilities combined have established Verdura as one of the world’s elite golf and lifestyle destinations.
A member of the exclusive European Tour Destinations network, the resort is famous for offering guests an unforgettable five-star golf experience in one of the most beautiful settings in world. Verdura Resort was recently named as a recipient of Golf Digest magazine’s coveted ‘2021 Editors’ Choice Award for the Best Resorts in Continental Europe’ for the sixth successive year.
Dundonald Links has entered an exciting new era with the opening of 18 luxury lodges, the latest phase of a £25m investment transforming the esteemed Scottish venue into one of the UK’s most modern new golf resorts.
Investing in the full golfing experience, Dundonald Links is becoming the dreamt golf destination.
The collection of two, four and six-bedroom lodges opened to widespread acclaim in August and have been custom-designed with golfers in mind, with bag storage and drying areas, en-suite bathrooms, large living spaces and fully equipped kitchen and dining facilities.
Darwin Escapes has already invested £1m in upgrading Dundonald Links’ Kyle Phillips-designed 18-hole championship course, including the addition of a new halfway house, and more is set to follow this autumn with the imminent opening of a new clubhouse and 22 hotel rooms.
Ian Ferguson, club manager, said: “The opening of the new lodges is the start of an exciting new chapter for Dundonald Links, and we’re thrilled with the initial feedback that we have received from guests.
Dundonald Links meets every need for the golfers and their loved ones.
“It’s been wonderful to see all the investment plans come to fruition over the last year and even more is to come in the next few months. With the opening of the new clubhouse and hotel rooms, not only will the resort boast some of the finest golf accommodation facilities in the UK, but it will also become the perfect base for golfers and their families to experience everything that this famous part of Scotland has to offer.”
Golf influencer Peter Finch, who has more than 400,000 followers on YouTube and who recently stayed in the lodges, said: “The biggest compliment I could pay is that I would love to live there!”
Boasting a striking contemporary design, the new two-storey clubhouse will feature large balconies overlooking the course and panoramic views to the Isle of Arran. Facilities within the clubhouse will include a pro shop, restaurant, bar, whisky tasting room and outdoor dining terrace, as well as a gym, sauna, steam room and extensive changing facilities.
Set amongst the picturesque Ayrshire countryside, the clubhouse has been created from natural materials and finished with local whinstone and a grass roof. This not only helps it to blend seamlessly with the rugged landscape and surroundings but also reinforces Dundonald’s long-term commitment to sustainability, conservation and nature.
In addition, the resort is also set to cut the ribbon in the coming months on a range of new hotel rooms, which are situated beside the clubhouse for ease of access to the restaurant and club facilities.
Already a well-respected test for bucket-list golfers from across the world, Dundonald Links has hosted many major professional golf events since 2008 – including the Ladies’ Scottish Open in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open in 2017.
The resort is one of three golf venues operated by Darwin Escapes, in addition to The Springs Resort & Golf Club in Oxfordshire and Kilnwick Percy in East Yorkshire. For more details and to book a golf break at Dundonald Links, please visit dundonaldlinks.com
Golfing on the Balearic island is possible almost all year round and the perfect escape from a chilly Autumn. A must-see island with beautiful sunsets, Mallorca can boast itself as a premiere golf destination. For golfers who are looking to enjoy a complete golf holiday in Mallorca check out the top 5 places to tee off according to Golf Post.
Golf Son Termens: 5/5
Golf Post Overview:
Golf Son Termens is located only about 10 kilometers outside the island’s capital Palma de Mallorca. There, the 18-hole par 70 course with 5,313 meters and a slope of 135 stretches at the foot of the Tramuntana Mountains (World Heritage Site). Correspondingly hilly to steep, the 18 holes stretch along and into the mountains. The first 9 holes are quite close together, so be careful with the slices and hooks. Golf Son Termens is the highest situated golf course in Mallorca. It is especially recommended for very sporty golfers. To enjoy the magnificent mountain scenery it is recommended to rent a golf cart.
Arabella Golf Son Quint: 4.67/5
Golf Post Overview:
On January 9th, 2007 the Arabella Golf Son Quint made its grand opening and is therefore one of the newer courses of the Arabella Group. At 5,929 meters of yellow, par 72 and a slope of 136, it offers everything you would expect from a resort course, including the fact that some holes are quite close together. Son Quint does not have a driving range, so if you want to tee off beforehand, you’ll have to do so at the nearby Son Muntaner course. Despite that, it offers a modern clubhouse that meets all requirements regarding pro-shop, showers and restearaunts. The upscale clubhouse offers a resort style pool where you can cool off after your games.
T-Golf & Country Club Poniente 4.67/5
Golf Post Overview:
The T Golf & Country Club Poniente is a 72-par course and 6,426 meters long from the white tee – making it one of the longer courses on the island. Ladies may tee off here from a handicap of -36 and men from a handicap of -28. This course was constructed in 1978 by John Harris and integrated into the existing environment in a scenic way. One of the most beautiful clubhouses in Mallorca awaits the golfer with a fantastic view of the Tramuntana Mountains and the 15th hole, which runs slightly uphill in front of the clubhouse. The green fee for 18 holes at the Club de Golf Poniente is 90 euros. The course, which is particularly popular with Englishmen, is not too far from the stronghold of Magaluf in the Calvia region. Six lakes and numerous bunkers demand a precise game, especially on the back nine.
Golf Santa Ponsa I: 4.5/5
Golf Post Overview:
Golf Santa Ponsa I opened in 1977, becoming the first golf course in the municipality of Calvià and the second in Mallorca. It is the one of the 3 golf courses of the resort in Mallorca that is open to the public. The par 72 parkland course is 6,106 meters long with a slope of 123, and the par 5 10th hole measures an impressive 560 meters. Santa Ponsa I has hosted the Balearic Open six times, where the greats of international golf have played, such as Ballesteros, Olazabal, Langer, Jimenez, Parnevik, Westwood, Montgomerie, Woosnam and Singh. As well as the course, the player has at his disposal some of the best facilities to improve his game with a driving range of 250 meters in length and 50 positions on grass (covered and open), chipping area and two putting greens.
Arabella Golf Son Vida: 4.5/5
Golf Post Overview
Arabella Golf Son Vida is not only the most traditional course in Mallorca, but also one of the most beautiful and challenging courses on the island. The course is part of the Arabella golf courses, which also include Arabella Golf Son Quint and Arabella Golf Son Muntaner. All three courses are located near the Arabella hotel complex and are particularly easy to reach from there. Arabella Golf Son Vida – Venue of the European Tour. Since its opening in 1964, the course has twice hosted a European Tour event. The golf legend Severiano Ballsteros won the Open Renault de Baleares here in 1990 and also the Briton Barry Lane brought home his fourth European Tour victory in 1994 at the in the meantime renamed Turespana Open de Baleares.
Son Vida is the only golf club on the island that has ever been selected as a venue for the European Tour. No wonder, because the course is considered particularly difficult. It demands an intelligent game strategy from the players due to the technical design of the course, the fast greens and the constant obstacles. A special treat before finishing each round is the 18th, a par-5 where the second shot goes over water.
A Ryder Cup legend and captain of the victorious European team that won in such memorable fashion at Medinah in 2012, José María Olazábal has written his name into Ryder Cup folklore with his achievements over the last four decades.
Now a successful golf-course designer, the two-time Masters champion will unveil the first of two new 18-hole courses that he has created at Navarino Hills in Costa Navarino, Greece, this November with the launch of the world’s first International Olympic Academy Course.
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Here we have an exclusive interview with Olazábal discussing the Navarino Hills project and where his inspiration came from.
Q:When and how did your involvement in the Navarino Hills project come about? José: I first came to Costa Navarino around six years ago when they were looking for a designer for the two new courses planned at Navarino Hills. My team and I all absolutely love the region here and we put in our very best effort to win the design job. Obviously, we were very happy when Achilles Constantakopoulos (chairman of Temes, the developers of Costa Navarino) chose us and we are working hard to repay his trust.
Q: What were your impressions when you first saw the site? José: Simply WOW. The property is spectacular, the views are breathtaking and the characteristics of the site are wonderful for golf. It surely ranks among the most beautiful properties we ever got the chance to work on.
Q: What makes the landscape at Navarino Hills and Costa Navarino’s approach to developing golf courses so special? José: The views are absolutely stunning, not just across the historic Bay of Navarino but also towards the mountains in the background. This sets the tone for the whole site and gives it a very strong character amidst the garrigue vegetation which is typical for the Mediterranean. Costa Navarino has found an absolute jewel with this property and they are trying to develop it sensibly with great focus on protecting the environment. I am delighted with their approach and we are trying to use all the latest modern techniques to contribute our share to the sustainability goals.
Q: Where did your inspiration for each course come from and have you tried to include any elements of your favourite courses in the world? José: Well, I am privileged and have got to play many of the great golf courses around the world. Courses like Augusta, the Old Course, Valderrama, Loch Lomond and many others certainly leave an impression on you and influence you. I am a fan of the classics and am probably more of a traditionalist but, for the new designs we have undertaken, it is the land itself that gives you the inspiration. What is important is how the property sits in its surroundings, what features stands out and how we can model the golf course harmoniously into the terrain so that it feels like a natural fit.
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Q: What are the key characteristics of each course and what are the different challenges that golfers will face? José: The International Olympic Academy Course has stunning views over Navarino Bay and is the longer and tougher of the two courses. It’s more compact and, in style, a bit posher than the Navarino Hills course. Navarino Hills has a more rural feel and takes you into the outback where you can enjoy a stroll in beautiful nature.
Q: Can you pick out a couple of holes on each course that you especially like and tell us a bit about them? José: I think they all have their own little personality but, of course, a few will be talked about more than others. On the International Olympic Academy Course, the 12 th and 16 th holes are two beautiful but challenging par threes with great views over the bay where I am sure most golfers will stop to take a photo. Holes 10 and 15 will also get some attention. On the Navarino Hills course, I would say the sixth hole, a downhill par-five, stands out as well as the stretch from the 14th to the 17th.
Q: When the Navarino Hills project is completed, what will it do to elevate Costa Navarino’s status on the world stage as a golf destination? José: Costa Navarino is already well known around the world but what the two new courses will do is to lift Costa Navarino from the status of a golf resort to being a full golf destination. With four golf courses, Costa Navarino will appeal to the global golf-travel market and I’m sure will be successful in attracting many new guests.
Q: Why do you think Costa Navarino stands out as a golf destination? José: We are spoiled as golfers because there are so many great places to go, but I have said it before and will be happy to repeat it: Costa Navarino is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. It is more than just the golf offering there, it is the whole experience that is exceptional – from the nature, the culture and the people with their amazing hospitality to the food, the beach and so many activities to choose from. Don’t be surprised if you see me at Costa Navarino from time to time in the future.
Q: How important is the issue of sustainability to you when building a golf course? José: It is a must. There is no alternative and, luckily, the topic has arrived in society as one of the most pressing issues of our time and for generations to come. Golf is only a small piece of this, but we must contribute our share and do everything to be as conscious about environmental, social and economic sustainability as we can. Costa Navarino is certainly a leader in this and I am proud to be a part of it.
Q: In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good golf course and the characteristics that make you want to play it again and again? José: It does not matter whether the course is extra tough or easy or long or short, what is important is that golfers have a great time. For that to happen, I think the course has to be fair and also has to fit seamlessly into the surroundings so that it creates this special ambience.
ORIZONTE NEW INVESTMENT ELEVATES AROEIRA GOLFING EXPERIENCE
ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf has taken its investment to new heights by unveiling an array of new facilities at Aroeira Golf Resort – a two-time host of the Portuguese Open.
Fresh from the rebranding this spring of its two 18-hole championship courses – Aroeira Pines Classic and Aroeira Challenge – Portugal’s leading golf management company has continued its spending by upgrading the golf leisure facilities at the resort.
Among the renovations made, the clubhouse for Aroeira Pines Classic, host venue of the 1996 and 1997 Portuguese Open, has been given a fresh new look with a modern contemporary décor inside and outside the restaurant, new kitchen facilities and refurbished changing rooms.
In addition, the resort’s swimming pool area has been refurbished with a new bar and décor while the Kids’ Club has also received a makeover, making it the ideal place for parents to leave their children while they’re playing golf or enjoying a relaxing meal in the clubhouse restaurant.
Nestled amid tranquil natural pine forest, Aroeira Golf Resort – 25km south of Lisbon – is rated among Europe’s top 50 golf resorts and has been dubbed the ‘Wentworth of Lisbon’ by many observers.
Among the many attractions on the stunning Aroeira estate is the Aroeira Lisbon Hotel. Providing the ultimate in chic modern design, the hotel includes 68 bedrooms and suites, an outdoor pool, a spa and a choice of five bars and restaurants, and offers easy access to the many golden sandy beaches in the Costa Azul region.
Alternatively, golfers can enjoy a staycation break in one of Aroeira’s choice of villas and apartments with stay-and-play packages, while a short drive from Aroeira, Ribagolfe boasts two of the finest layouts in the Lisbon region – Ribagolfe I and II.
As part of ORIZONTE’s golf maintenance programme, both courses were the subject of an upgrade at the start of the golf season while a new hotel partner for 2021, the Four Points by Sheraton Sesimbra, offers the ideal base to play the club known as the ‘Valderrama of Portugal’.
ORIZONTE provides golfers with the opportunity to play four of the leading courses in close proximity to Lisbon in the stunning Costa Azul, together with exceptional value for money on a wide range of accommodation options.
Gil Hanse on his newly designed course at the Les Bordes Golf Club
(Photo: theazaleagroup.com)
GIL HANSE-DESIGNED NEW COURSE DEBUTS AT LES BORDES
Exclusive golf club in France’s Loire Valley now offers 46 world-class holes
12July, 2021: The gift-wrapping has been taken off Les Bordes’ eagerly awaited New Course, with architect Gil Hanse taking time out from his busy schedule to unveil his first golf-course design project in continental Europe at the start of this month.
Hanse travelled from his home in America to France’s famous Loire Valley to give his personal seal of approval to the new layout, hitting the inaugural tee shot prior to members flying in from across the world to experience his new creation.
In direct contrast to Les Bordes’ Old Course, the New Course features a more traditional heathland style. When combined with the 10-hole short course – the Wild Piglet, also created by Hanse and opened in 2020 – members of Les Bordes Golf Club will receive one of the greatest golfing experiences in the world.
Hanse comments on the project and his love for France
Hanse said: “We’ve never built anything in continental Europe and we wanted to make sure that our first project was going to be something special, and Les Bordes gave us that opportunity. I have always loved visiting France, and to have the chance to create this course and leave a lasting legacy in such a beautiful part of the world makes me particularly proud.
“The golf facilities at Les Bordes are on a par with anywhere else in the world. When you consider the variety and contrast of the Old and New, the originality and quality of design coupled with the Wild Piglet and Himalayas putting green, across the board there are outstanding facilities for serious golf and fun golf – and there are very few places who can say that.
“One of the challenges that we were excited to accept was to have the chance to build a golf course on the same estate as (the Old Course), a course that has been ranked as the best in Europe.
“There are elements of a number of golf courses (in the New Course) including a lot of the great heathland courses around London and Paris. I think that I am always influenced by Pine Valley, which is very near to my home, and I think that some of the scale of National Golf Links is apparent out there too. If you roll all of those into one, I think that’s a pretty good recipe.
“With the three golf courses and the amenities that are already in place and the ones that are coming, I can’t see how Les Bordes won’t be considered one of the finest golfing destinations in Europe or in the world.”
Set 90 minutes south of Paris in France’s magical Sologne Forest, the New Course fits harmoniously into its surroundings, with the fairways blending seamlessly into the natural vegetation and trees, and maximum care and attention was taken by Hanse and his team to clear the location and preserve the natural environment.
Featuring large bunkers, subtle elevation changes and incredible green complexes, the layout measures 7,211 yards from the back tees but, in contrast to the Old Course, is expected to play shorter than its overall length due to the firm and fast playing conditions.
Jack Laws, director of golf at Les Bordes, said: “The opening of the New Course is a significant landmark in the history of Les Bordes and the culmination of many years of hard work from Gil and his team, and everyone here on the estate.
“The New Course is an outstanding golf course with truly exceptional architecture. It’s incredibly exciting what Gil has achieved here, and its addition means that our members and guests will be in the enviable position of being able to enjoy two world-class, but very different golfing experiences.”
The opening of the New Course headlines three years of investment at Les Bordes, developing a community where all family members have endless possibilities for fun and adventure. Completed on-site amenities include natural swimming lakes and pools, beaches, watersports, go-karting, fishing, equestrian, petting farm and biking and walking trails.
Future investment plans include an announced partnership with Six Senses for the transformation of the 19th century ‘Chateau Bel Air’ into a luxury hotel and spa, a village square with shops and restaurants and a variety of residential homes in various styles, as well as an equestrian centre, an organic farm, an art gallery and outdoor amphitheatre.
Press release written and distributed on behalf of Les Bordes by Azalea
Infinitum golf course at Costa Daurada. (Image: Getty)
Costa Daurada, 28th June 2021: The resort known as Lumine has officially unveiled a new chapter in its history with the birth of INFINITUM, a new resort facing the immensity of the Mediterranean Sea and boasting high-end facilities and services. A place that has everything and that is summed up in its “Welcome to everything”.
The resort surfaces as one of Europe’s most highly-sought after lifestyle and leisure experiences, with world-class golf, modern gastronomy, off-course activities, and a contemporary beach club featuring state-of-the-art facilities, including 8 swimming pools, a Tapas Bar, and one of Costa Daurada’s best restaurants.
Infinitum is home to three outstanding golf courses, each with their own distinct design and layout. Named ‘Europe’s Best Golf Venue’ for two consecutive years, its award-winning facilities play host to the European Tour’s Final Qualifying Stage, delivering unquestionable conditions, across its rolling fairways and undulating greens. Each course, complemented by ocean views of the Mediterranean, challenges the advanced or beginner golfer, with strategic natural and man-made hazards.
Located only 10 minutes from Tarragona, the resort offers direct access to the beach with stunning front-line views of the Mediterranean Sea. Surrounded also by pine forests, and Olive fields, infinitum is located amongst one of the region’s most important ecosystems: the Sequia Major, a wetland made of reeds, poplars, and willows, meandering around the lakes, that houses one of the best-preserved populations in Catalonia of European Galapagos and Fartet Fish, one of the most endangered species of the Iberian Peninsula.
Burrowed in the natural landscape, the Infinitum Beach Club presents a unique experience with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, a tranquil and peaceful environment to spend an hour or a day. 100 feet above the ocean, perched amongst spectacular Pines, this is one of the finest beach experiences that can be found in Europe.
Infinitum also arrives with a new, premium gastronomy offering; four high-quality choices – Flamma, Gusto, The Lakehouse, and Terra – all offering a tranquil environment, with outstanding service, showcasing the finest fresh local produce, expertly developed by top-quality chefs.
Flamma, the premium gastronomic offering at the Infinitum Beach Club, presents informal sharing plates, with fresh and local products at the heart of each dish; Gusto, the home to Mediterranean Tapas, a more casual alternative at the Beach Club; The Lakehouse, an ideal setting for golfers and non-golfers alike to sample healthy and traditional dishes overlooking the golf courses from a panoramic terrace, while Terra, a brand-new gourmet shop, opening in the autumn, will exhibit a selection of local, high-quality products, fresh and non-perishable.
A Sustainable Project
Infinitum is one of Europe’s most sustainable golf resorts, going above and beyond to protect nature and its surroundings. The resort is committed to leading the way in sustainable practices for golf clubs in Europe, with a host of awards and accolades, including its GEO Certification for the second time. Sequences of olive trees, natural bodies of water, historic ruins, and protected species all form an integral part of the unique experience at the resort. While the resort has created an ‘eco-first’ strategy, the Lakes golf course is recognized for its conservation work as a certified Golf Audubon International Signature Sanctuary.
Speaking upon the launch of INFINITUM, Agustin Garcia Pascual,Chief Business Officer – Infinitum, said:
“Today marks an exciting day in our history. Infinitum brings an entire new lifestyle and experience and will become a leading name in Europe. We are excited to begin this journey and create an experience for guests that is unlike any other. A new lifestyle to aspire to will be created with first-class food, beverage and services, whilst the golf courses will continue to renowned as two of Europe’s finest, hosting some of professional and amateur golfs best events.
“Over the next few years, we want to make Infinitum the preferred destination for Europe’s leading golfers, a destination that will provide a peaceful and relaxing environment that plays a significant role in the positive well-being of our members and guests.”
Ahead of its opening in October of this year, golfers can now enjoy a tantalising glimpse of the new golf course at Sicily’s Verdura Resort, part of Rocco Forte Hotels.
Viewers can plot their way along the spectacular new par-four hole – and you can almost smell the ocean breeze along the coastline.
The new signature ninth hole on the East Course is part of the major renovation project – scheduled for completion in October with nine of the holes ready for play in August – as world-renowned golf architect Kyle Phillips returned to the site of his original design in Sicily to work his magic again.
The result is a remarkable success with the new hole offering those trademark, incredible views across the Mediterranean, while asking some serious questions of accuracy, strategy and distance control with a slight dogleg design.
The tee shot demands careful placement to avoid water on the left and right, while a fairway bunker lurks on the right side. Once that is safely negotiated, an undulating green is guarded by two bunkers, which requires an approach shot with enough loft to clear more water and hold the green – and all with the beach and the lapping waves just a few steps away.
Phillips said: “The drama of the coastline has been improved, so we have made the most of it.
“That ninth hole is an example of what happened and how we have managed to make a fantastic new hole out of it. We have certainly made the most out of what was available to us and we’re proud of what has been achieved.”
The extensive renovation will see a number of new features and modification of the course route, so some of the hole numbers have been adjusted. But this has allowed for the restoration of previous favourites and also some exciting new additions.
Phillips said: “One of the things that we didn’t have before – but we have now – is a double green, a bit like some of those huge greens at St Andrews. It will be the new eighth hole (par five) and the new 10th hole (par four) which will share a green.
“It was something I had pondered at one time before. But Sir Rocco is a golfer, we were out there walking one day and talked about doing it and he was excited about it.
“The green is absolutely massive and could be very interesting if you are putting on the wrong part of it!”
He added: “It is new, fresh, the result is great and I think it will be really well-received. I expected it to turn out well but it’s definitely reached the level we were striving for.”
The resort – home of the European Tour’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open – boasts a wealth of exclusive luxury facilities that have helped establish the venue as one of the world’s elite golf and lifestyle destinations and is nestled in 230 hectares of stunning Mediterranean landscape on Sicily’s southern coast.
A member of the exclusive European Tour Destinations network, the resort is famous for offering guests an unforgettable five-star golf experience in one of the most beautiful settings in world golf, and was recently named as a recipient of Golf Digest magazine’s coveted ‘2020 Editors’ Choice Award for the Best Resorts in Continental Europe’ for the fifth year in a row.
Verdura Resort features 203 rooms and suites, all with a sea view, which offer a perfect solution for family holiday. In addition, the venue is set to add to its luxury accommodation portfolio with 20 new modern and spacious private Rocco Forte Private Villas open on May 13, each with its own private swimming pool and affording unparalled panoramic views of the Sicilian coast and Mediterranean.
Away from golf, guests can enjoy an extensive array of other luxury sports and lifestyle facilities, as well as the opportunity to sample a wide variety of gastronomy, wine, history and culture.
Guests can also take advantage of the Unlimited Golf package until November 21, 2021, which includes an unlimited number of rounds, daily full breakfast, and €100 F&B credit per stay. Complimentary additions also include shared buggies, use of the driving range and spa facilities.
The Marco Simone Golf & County Club in Rome, where the Ryder Cup will be held next year. (Photo: Marco Simone Golf & Country Club)
Plenty of adrenalin early in the morning
Around eight o’clock in the morning, we start out of town in our rental car near the famous Villa Borghese. The extremely fast, offensive driving style of the Roman road users takes some getting used to for us, but after a short time it works fine. If you wait, you will not reach your destination in time. We get the impression that traffic signs and traffic lights are seen more as a recommendation. Unharmed and happy, we reach the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club on the north-eastern outskirts of the Italian metropolis a good half hour later.
Thumbs up (Photo Jürgen Linnenbürger)
Here in Guidonia Montecelio, the 44th edition of the Europe : USA golf competition will take place in September 2023, one year late. After 1997 in Valderrama and 2018 in Paris, it will be only the third Ryder Cup on continental European soil.
The biggest green skirt ever designed
World-renowned fashion and perfume designer Laura Biagiotti and her daughter Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna, thanks to the Italian Golf Federation, the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and to the support of national and local institutions, brought the Ryder Cup to her club in 2015, which she founded in 1971. Since her death in 2017, Lavinia Biagiotti Cigna has continued the project and now heads the club as President.
Lavinia quotes her mother as saying “My mother used to say this is the biggest green skirt I have ever designed”.
Originally designed by Jim Fazio, the course has been completely redesigned as of 2018. This task was successfully taken on by European Golf Design, together with Jim’s son Tom Fazio II.
On an area of 150 hectares, a par-72 stadium course has been created, which is perfectly integrated into the open, partly quite hilly terrain. It is a course designed not only for players but also for the up to fifty thousand spectators expected daily. On both sides of the fairways, the terrain often rises, so that from these elevated places, the game action can be followed not only on one fairway, but on several at once.
Plenty of space on the course (Photo Marco Simone Golf & Country Club)
The paths are very well maintained and asphalted, the distances between greens and tees are pleasantly short. The course is fair and a pleasure to play. It is a real match play course and allows a good score for all HCP classes, provided you hit the right spots on the greens. If you do not, you get penalised.
The tee-offs are less challenging. But the ones into the green are, some of which can be hit blind.
We particularly like the two par-5s at the end of the front nine and the 16, a 322 m long par-4. For us, it is the most beautiful hole on the course. If you do not resist the temptation to attack the green with your steep descent tee shot here, you run the risk of experiencing your damp miracle. We are already curious to see how many balls will disappear here in 2023 during the Ryder Cup.
Fantastic 16th hole (Photo Marco Simone Golf & Country Club)
Construction of the new driving range has already begun. The clubhouse will also be renovated before the Ryder Cup.
A successful creation
I take up Laura Biagiotti’s comparison of the course with a skirt and describe it as if it were such a garment: We really like the motifs on the green skirt. On its front, the 11th-century Marco Simone Castle, now Lavinia’s home, attracts our gaze. Also the astronomer Galileo Galilei used to live here.
Marco Simone Castle is omnipresent (Photo Jürgen Linnenbürger)
On the back of the skirt, the hill town of Sant’Angelo Romana catches the eye, as does Rome’s silhouette with St. Peter’s Basilica in the distance.
Cleverly placed are its 18 mostly not too big, wavy and smooth green buttons. Real eye-catchers are the four large blue dots of colour, two on each side, and the blue zips that snake over part of the back.
The skirt comes in two versions. We are introduced to the spring version, where the green fringes located on its sides are kept short and blend seamlessly into the colour of the skirt. In the autumn version, these are much longer and denser, so that it is easy to get caught in them. Their shiny golden-brown colour is the ideal contrast to the otherwise rich green and another visual highlight.
Golden-brown deep rough in autumn (Photo Marco Simone Golf & Country Club)
The bright white linings of the numerous pockets are velvety soft. Their edges are perfectly finished. You can get out of them easily, even if they get wet. A special textile layer ensures that.
Perfect bunker conditions (Photo Marco Simone Golf & Country Club)
The smooth surface is very elastic and its material handles even large amounts of rain very well. There is nothing to complain about in terms of its high-quality workmanship. We particularly like the fact that great importance is attached to sustainability in its production.
The stylish unisex mini is available in four sizes for men and three for women. The XXL version is only 6.373 meters long. Usually it is not too tightly cut and offers plenty of freedom of movement in all variants. However, it can be made tighter for special occasions.
The brand and the high quality come at a price. For the use of the designer piece, one pays €180 on site. If you book online, you get a ten percent discount.
18th green in front of the clubhouse (Photo Jürgen Linnenbürger)
Sporty charming
With the 78th Italian Open being held in September 2021, the course has passed its sporting baptism of fire in the best possible way. The Dane Nicolai Hojgaard won with 13 under par and thus won his first tournament on today’s DP World Tour.
Stay and Play
Various hotels, including those outside Rome, offer attractive stay and play packages or green fee discounts. This also applies to the multiple award-winning, five-star Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort in Porto Ercole in the Maremma in southern Tuscany, where we will spend the next few days. I report on this in a separate article. Jürgen Linnenbürger April 2022
Many of us are looking forward to the prospect of travelling again this year (Image: Getty)
Enjoy savings of 21% on stays of two nights or more
After all the stresses of the Covid pandemic, who isn’t dreaming of their next summer holiday and Quinta do Lago is teeing up a treat for golfers and families in 2021, including savings of 21 per cent on breaks of two nights or more at the luxury Portuguese resort this year.
Europe’s premier golf, leisure and lifestyle family resort is offering an array of discounts when staying at its boutique The Magnolia Hotel over the coming months including Easter and summer, with reductions of more than a fifth on short-term stays.
Savings of up to 30 per cent on holidays of two weeks or more are also available while guests will have complete peace of mind when they book, with Quinta do Lago’s ‘Flexi-booking’ option offering guests the opportunity to change their booking to another date within a 12-month period without any charge.
Taking time out to relax in natural surroundings has never been more important following an extended period of lockdowns. Nestled within the privacy and security of the Algarve’s Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, Quinta do Lago is the ideal place to unwind, with its five-star facilities including three 18-hole championship golf courses, a premier sports hub, a golden sandy beach and a plethora of first-class bars and restaurants.
The resort’s relaxed vibe extends to its boutique Magnolia Hotel, with facilities including a saltwater pool, colourful restaurant and cocktail bar, cinema, gym and spa, plus a schedule of iconic poolside events to keep guests of all ages entertained.
Bed-and-breakfast breaks of two nights or more start from €77 per night for a double room while the resort’s extended holiday packages, which are perfect for families and are bookable throughout 2021 except July and August, cost from €68 per night staying in one of The Magnolia Hotel’s vintage-cabin style cottages.
A range of attractive three, five and seven-night golf stay-and-play packages are also available at the Magnolia Hotel, which also feature the resort’s ‘Flexi-booking’ option.
Located just 15 minutes away from Faro airport, Quinta do Lago is regarded as Europe’s premier golf and lifestyle resort and was one of the first to be awarded Clean & Safe approval by the Portugal Tourist Board after the Covid-19 lockdown.
The award-winning venue boasts a combination of world-class golf and lifestyle facilities and has invested a further €7m in a recent golf-course improvement programme, including a major overhaul of its famous South Course and the reopening of its main golf clubhouse following a modern and sophisticated makeover.
As well as three renowned golf courses – the North, South and Laranjal – and outstanding practice facilities, guests can stay in shape at The Campus, a world-class sports hub designed for professionals and amateurs alike to keep fit.
Complementing the facilities is a choice of 12 first-class bars and restaurants that deliver a range of delicious world cuisines, including the acclaimed Bovino Steakhouse and recently-opened Dano’s Sports Bar & Restaurant, and accommodation at the boutique The Magnolia Hotel.
