Ahead of the opening in October of this year, we can present a tantalising glimpse of the new-renowated golf course at Sicily’s Verdura Resort. The new signature ninth hole on the East Course (pictured above) is part of the major renovation project, that is scheduled for completion in October, with nine of the holes ready for play in August.
The East Course is designed by world-renowned golf architect, Kyle Phillips, who has returned to the site of his original design in Sicily to oversee the renovation project.
The result is remarkable with the new hole offering those trademark 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.
Phillip sexplaibs: — 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.
A number of new features
The renovation will see a number of new features. While some of the hole numbers have been adjusted due to modification of the course route. But this has allowed for the restoration of previous favourites and also some exciting new additions.
— 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 par four 10th hole which will share a green. t 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! 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, Phillips added.
Home of the European Tour’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open
The resort is home of the European Tour’s Rocco Forte Sicilian Open. which have helped establish the venue as a golf and lifestyle destination, nestled in 230 hectares of traditional Mediterranean landscape on Sicily’s southern coast.
Verdura Resort features 203 sea view rooms and suites. On May 13, the venue is set to open 20 new, spacious private villas to add to its accommodation portfolio. Each with its own private swimming pool and affording panoramic views of the Sicilian coast and the Mediterranean.
Read more: VerduraResort
