Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa has enjoyed a year to remember and provided a fitting five-star venue for the climax to qualifying events for the prestigious 2013 Prosecco Golf Cup.

Members and guests gathered at the deluxe Sicilian resort to take part in two days of Stableford competitions over the its popular Links and Parkland courses as part of the international tournament, which has staged nearly 100 qualifying events at clubs across Europe over the last eight months.

The competitions at Donnafugata marked the end of a series of qualifiers that have been held in 13 different countries including England, Ireland, Germany, France, Croatia, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Austria and Czech the Republic, as well as Italy.

Participants competed in three different handicap categories, with the winners from each section qualifying to take their place in the event's grand international final, which will be held on three different courses around Lake Garda,in Veneto, from April 2-4, 2014.

Run by Prosecco Golf Holidays, the Prosecco Golf Cup was founded in 2007 and not only features golf at some of the top courses across Europe but also the chance for competitors to tickle their tastebuds and indulge in some of the finest foods and wines from the Veneto region - including its world-famous Prosecco.

It was the first time that the competition has been played at Donnafugata and the event is further evidence of the high regard that the resort is held in across the continent.

Having hosted the 2011 Sicilian Open, the award-winning venue has enjoyed an outstanding period of success including becoming the first course in Italy to join IMG Prestige, an exclusive collection of some of the world's most celebrated golfing venues.

Both of Donnafugata's championship courses were named in Golf World's latest biennial list of the 'Top 200 Courses in Continental Europe' earlier this year while the resort was given an overwhelming seal of approval from an international field after hosting the inaugural Sicilian Sizzler Mixed Pairs Tournament this autumn.

Guy Roberts, Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa's director of golf, said: "It was a privilege for Donnafugata to be selected to host the final Prosecco Cup qualifying event in what has been a wonderful year for the resort.

"Not only did the players have the chance to play both our courses but also enjoy some of the other things that makes playing golf in Sicily, and Italy in general, so memorable.

"It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend and we're already in talks with the event organisers about hosting the competition again next year."
Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa features two 18-hole championship golf courses  - The Parkland, designed by South African legend Gary Player, and The Links - and extensive practice facilities including a 70-bay driving range. 

Located just 20 minutes away from the recently-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 nearby. 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.

Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa 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. 

For further details about the Prosecco Cup, go to www.proseccogolfholidays.com. For more information on Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa or to book a stay, call 00 39 0932 914 200 or visit www.donnafugatagolfresort.com. 

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Information for journalists

Press release distributed by The Azalea Group.

Donnafugata Golf Resort & SpaDonnafugata Golf Resort & Spa (www.donnafugatagolfresort.com) belongs to Sotogrande. Perfect for sports, relaxing holidays and important events in exclusive surroundings, the resort is located in the heart of Sicilian baroque with pure beaches. The hotel has 202 rooms, Spa and health club, swimming pools, three restaurants, eight meeting rooms and two golf courses.

Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, Contrada Piombo - 97100 Ragusa Tel: +0039 0932 914 200 Fax: +0039 0932 914 222 Email: nhdonnafugata@nh-hotels.com High-resolution images of the resort are available for download from http://goo.gl/ggxHM.

For further information:
Pete Simm at The Azalea Group on +44 (0)1730 711920 or email petes@theazaleagroup.com or NH Italia S.p.A. (NH Hoteles)Federico FilippaCommunication, Public Affairs and Social Media ManagerPh.: 02 575551Mob.: 345 3791419e-mail: f.filippa@nh-hotels.com