Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa's position in European golf has risen to new prominence after both its courses received recognition in a leading industry poll for the first time in its short history.
The deluxe five-star venue only opened in 2010 but, such has been its rapid rise to fame, that both its 18-hole championship courses have been included in Golf World's latest biennial list of the 'Top 200 Courses in Continental Europe'.
The Parkland, created by South African legend Gary Player, was the venue for the 2011 Sicilian Open, won by France's Rafael Jacquelin, while the Franco Piras-designed Links Course has quickly become a firm favourite wiith Donnafugata's visitors.
Commenting on its inclusion in the 2013 standings, Golf World said: "The two courses at this luxury resort make it into our list, but we prefer the Links, by Franco Piras, over Gary Player's Parkland. The wonderful sculpting of the fairways make this a sumptuous sight."
Guy Roberts, director of golf at Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, said: "For both courses to have been included in such an influential and respected list is wonderful news.
"Donnafugata has made a real impact in a short space of time and this recognition is a further indication of the progress we have made in becoming one of the market leaders in the luxury golf resort sector in Europe.
"It has been another outstanding 12 months for the resort and this latest exposure will help us to increase our visibility further as we continue the process of making Donnafugata a popular place to holiday for new, emerging and established markets."
The recognition is the latest in a series of accolades to be bestowed on Donnafugata as it has wasted little time in establishing itself among the elite resorts in Europe.
The resort was included in Rolex World's latest Top 1,000 Golf Courses poll while it was also the first course in Italy to be invited to join IMG Prestige, an exclusive collection of some of the world's most celebrated golfing venues.
Located just 20 minutes away from the newly-opened Comiso airport and in the beautiful area of Donnafugata, a natural reserve and famous tourist destination known for the imposing castle which bears the same name, the resort also boasts a number of fantastic historical cities. These include Val di Noto, the heart of Sicilian baroque: Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Noto and Scicli. All of them are deemed fitting of UNESCO World Heritage status.
In addition to its golf courses and extensive practice facilities, Donnafugata has 202 rooms, an award-winning spa and health club, swimming pools and three restaurants offering a broad selection of gastronomic delights, well accompanied by perfect Sicilian wines to enhance flavour.
