Sicily may not be an obvious choice when it comes to a destination for a golfing holiday, but the island already boasts two challenging and enjoyable 18 hole courses and, with a number of other developments planned, that may be about to change. In the meantime, the courses – Il Picciolo (and the great Palmerston Etna Golf Resort and SPA), the Madonie - offer an opportunity to play golf in wonderful locations and a great climate without the crowds, slow play and high green fees that are typical of many of the more established golfing destinations elsewhere in the Mediterranean and, not at the end, is going to open the Rocco Forte Collection near to Sciacca, Agrigento and Palermo.

Il Picciolo Golf Club & the Palmerston Etna Golf Resort and SPA
Il Picciolo (located in the Etna area, not far from Catania and the amazing Taormina) is the oldest course in Sicily and has played host to a number of international tournaments, including Ladies’ European Tour events. There can be very few courses in the world that can boast a smoking volcano as a backdrop – but Il Picciolo is one, laid out as it is in a stunning location on the slopes of Mount Etna. The proximity to Etna and its regular eruptions provides the unusual hazard of lava floes on many of the holes and, with trees and vineyards also constantly in play, there is a premium on accurate driving. As a result the course is more challenging than its relatively modest length (5,800 meters) might suggest. For many golfers the biggest challenge may well be keeping their mind on the golf and away from the scenery. More Information»

Le Madonie Golf Club
Le Madonie Golf Resort is located between the Madonie Mountains Park and the gulf of Cefalů, on a plain embellished with an impressive cultivation of Saracen olive, orange, lemon, almond and carob trees. The golf course with its Club House and its 32 villas are in complete symbiosis with the surrounding hill landscape. The 5 stars classified Resort, opening 2008, will moreover enrich the complex with its 3 suites, the16 junior suites and 71 double guest’s rooms, proposing various facilities like restaurants and bars, a conference centre with a capacity of 430 seats, a wellness centre, an outdoors semi-Olympic size swimming pool. More Information»

Rocco Forte Golf Resort, Il Picciolo and Le Madonie offer all the facilities you would expect, including practice areas, buggies and equipment hire for those who want to avoid the hassle of bringing their clubs with them.

The Rocco Forte Collection is currently building a €129 million hotel and golf resort on the southern coast of Sicily in a small village called Verdura, near Sciacca, about an hour's drive from the international airport in Palermo and 30 kilometers from Agrigento and the Temple Valley.
The development, involving the restoration of several existing buildings on the site together with new construction, which will reflect the history and character of Sicily and the region, will consist of a 200-room ocean-view hotel, two championship golf courses, a hydrotherapy spa, sports facilities and a relatively large real estate development. The architect is Denton Corker Marshall.
The Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is currently scheduled to open in 2009. More Information (we will be ready soon)»