Sicily's Verdura Resort, part of Rocco Forte Hotels, has turned to golf communications specialist The Azalea Group to enhance its position among Europe's premier contemporary luxury golf and lifestyle destinations.

Also a member of Leading Hotels of the World, Verdura has appointed Azalea to increase its visibility to key golf markets in the UK and Europe, and to further strengthen its image as a luxury, year-round golf destination.

Set in 230 hectares of stunning landscape overlooking the Mediterranean, with 1.8km of private coastline, the award-winning venue features 203 rooms and suites and is a paradise for golfers, with outstanding facilities including two 18-hole championship courses and a nine-hole par-three course, all designed by world-renowned golf architect Kyle Phillips.

Marcello Della Vecchia, Director of Golf Sales at Verdura Resort, said: “Azalea has a proven track record of raising awareness and creating a 'buzz' with a range of fresh and innovative ideas and we're looking forward to working closely alongside them to promote the outstanding golf product we have at the resort.”

Verdura's East Course was the host venue for the 2012 Sicilian Open – won by Denmark's Thorbjørn Olesen – while the West Course features one of the most memorable finishes anywhere in the world with the final four holes set alongside the Mediterranean.

The resort boasts outstanding practice facilities including a double-ended driving range and excellent golf academy, while other sports and leisure amenities include six tennis courts, a 60m two-tiered infinity pool, a 170sqm fully-equipped gym and an award-winning 4,000sqm spa complex.

In addition, guests can sample an authentic taste of traditional Sicily with an array of locally-sourced dishes at one of Verdura's four first-class restaurants.

Luke Frary, account director at the Azalea Group, said: “Sicily is one of Europe's fastest-growing destinations for golfers and we're delighted to be working with such a prestigious resort as Verdura.

“I have no doubt that the resort's pioneering vision and exemplary guest experiences will establish it at the forefront of Europe's modern golfing venues, and we look forward to promoting it to a wider audience across the continent.”

In its ninth year of trading, Azalea has established itself as one of Europe's leading specialist agencies, working with some of the continent's major national and regional tourist boards, flagship golf and lifestyle resorts, and leading brands.

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Information for journalists

Press release written and distributed by The Azalea Group.

• High-resolution images of Verdura Resort may be downloaded for editorial purposes from https://goo.gl/WA0Ovo

For more information on Verdura Resort contact Luke Frary on 01730 711920 or email luke@theazaleagroup.com

Verdura Resort
Since opening in 2009, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotels resort, (www.roccofortehotels.com) has quickly established itself amongst Europe's premier contemporary luxury golf and lifestyle destinations.

The resort is set in 230 hectares of stunning landscape overlooking the Mediterranean with 1.8km of private coastline, and offers golfing guests and families an unparalleled modern five-star experience on the largest island in the Mediterranean. The resort is located on the southern coast of Sicily between Agrigento and the fishing city of Sciacca, a 80-minute drive from Trapani and Palermo airports.

Verdura features 203 rooms and suites, all with sea view, and is a paradise for golfers, with its outstanding facilities. Golfers from all over the world come to enjoy the two 18-hole championship courses and a nine-hole par-three course, all designed by world-renowned golf architect Kyle Phillips and playable all-year-round. The three links-style layouts have been built to the highest specifications, with the resort's East Course – ranked as one of the finest in continental Europe, chosen as the host venue for the European Tour's 2012 Sicilian Open. Providing the ideal complement is the beautiful West Course, also a par-72, which features one of the most memorable finishes anywhere in the world with the final four holes set alongside the Mediterranean. The courses are matched by outstanding practice amenities including a double-ended driving range and excellent golf academy.

Verdura's other sports facilities include six tennis courts; a 60m two-tiered infinity pool; numerous watersports, one football pitch; a 170sqm fully-equipped gym and a collection of running trails through olive and lemon groves. The resort's award-winning 4,000sqm spa complex includes 11 treatment rooms, gym, yoga studio, a 25-metre indoor lap pool, four outdoor Thalassotherapy pools, a double-height steam room, male and female saunas and a spa bar for healthy alternatives.

Guests can sample an authentic taste of traditional Sicily with an array of dishes at one of the resort's four restaurants and five bars – with fresh, organic produce sourced straight from Verdura's own garden. In addition, visitors can enjoy an array of cultural and culinary experiences where they can discover the secrets of Sicilian cooking, with menus inspired by celebrity chef Fulvio Pierangelini, and taste the many famous wines of the region. There is also plenty to keep the younger members of the family entertained with dedicated kids and teen clubs providing a variety of fun-packed activity programmes throughout the year.

Verdura Resort has received widespread recognition through numerous awards including a 'Golden Award for Golf'at the 2015 Voyages & Hôtels Readers Awards and named 'Best Family European Golf Resort' by the 2011 Tatler Travel Guide.