What defines golf at Verdura Resort?
It begins with the land. When we created Verdura Resort, it was important that the courses respected their surroundings and felt part of them. You are playing right along the coastline and that brings a level of variation from one round to the next. The wind, in particular, is always a factor, so the course never plays in quite the same way twice.
What were you looking to create when you developed the resort?
I wanted to build a golf resort in the Mediterranean. There are many at that level in the United States, but far fewer in Europe. Verdura Resort gave us the opportunity to do something from the ground up, where the golf, the setting and the wider experience could all be considered together. It was important that it worked as a place to stay, not just somewhere to play a single round.
How do the courses at Verdura Resort make use of the coastline?
They were designed to sit as close to the shoreline as possible, with long stretches running alongside the Mediterranean. The sea is a constant presence, and the wind that comes off it plays a significant role from one round to the next. Across both East Links and West Shore, the courses are shaped by those same conditions, which is what gives them their character over the course of a stay.
How should guests approach a stay at Verdura Resort from a golfing perspective?
It is best experienced over a few days. The more time you spend on the courses, the more you begin to understand them. At the same time, the day does not begin and end with golf. There is time to use the practice facilities and time away from the course to experience the resort and Sicily more broadly.
How does the Sir Rocco Forte Captain’s Trophy reflect that experience?
It brings those elements together. You have competitive golf played across both courses, but also the time around it. It reflects how Verdura Resort is meant to be experienced, over several days rather than in a single visit.
Elevate your next Golf experience. For enquiries and bookings, contact events.verdura@roccofortehotels.com
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