New Golf Event in Sicily to Feature Colin Montgomerie as Verdura Resort Hosts Inaugural Captain’s Trophy

(IN SHORT) Verdura Resort in Sicily will host the inaugural Sir Rocco Forte Captain’s Trophy in September 2026, a four-day event combining competitive amateur golf with cultural programming and luxury hospitality. Featuring Colin Montgomerie as a headline guest, the tournament will take place across the resort’s championship courses and include exhibitions, talks and curated dining experiences. Organized by Rocco Forte Hotels, the event aims to blend sport, lifestyle and networking, further strengthening Verdura Resort’s reputation as a top-tier European golf destination.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, UK, 2026-Apr-1 — /Travel PR News/ — Verdura Resort will host the inaugural Sir Rocco Forte Captain’s Trophy from 10 to 13 September, introducing a new signature event that combines competitive golf with cultural experiences and thought-provoking discussions at one of Europe’s premier golf destinations.

The four-day event will feature Colin Montgomerie as its headline guest. The eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner and Ryder Cup legend will deliver a live driving range exhibition, offering participants insights into his technique and approach developed over a distinguished career.

Set across the resort’s two championship courses, East Links and West Shore, the tournament will follow a 36-hole Stableford format designed for amateur golfers affiliated with official federations. Players will compete in three handicap categories, with prizes awarded for both net and gross scores. The programme will extend beyond the course, incorporating curated talks, social events and dining experiences covering topics such as golf, economics and finance.

The competition will be overseen by Donato Di Ponziano, golf development supervisor for Rocco Forte Hotels, who aims to create a format that balances sporting challenge with a welcoming and engaging atmosphere.

Rocco Forte highlighted that the event reflects the essence of golf—combining camaraderie, competition and exceptional surroundings—while reinforcing Verdura Resort’s reputation as a leading golf destination.

The experience will also include a strong culinary component led by Fulvio Pierangelini, Creative Director of Food for Rocco Forte Hotels, with menus showcasing seasonal ingredients and refined interpretations of Italian cuisine.

Beyond the tournament, guests will have access to the resort’s extensive amenities, including practice facilities, a private Mediterranean coastline and the 4,000-square-metre Irene Forte Spa. Located on Sicily’s southwest coast between the Valley of the Temples and Sciacca, Verdura Resort spans 230 hectares and features award-winning golf courses designed by Kyle Phillips, alongside luxury accommodation and villas.

Recognised among the World’s Top 100 Golf Resorts 2026, Verdura Resort continues to expand its offering, positioning the Sir Rocco Forte Captain’s Trophy as a new highlight on the European golf calendar.

Verdura Resort and Rocco Forte Private Villas | Set across 230 hectares of olive groves, citrus orchards, and 1.8 km of private coastline, Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel lies between the Valley of the Temples and Sciacca on Sicily’s southwest coast. The resort blends modern architecture with Sicilian tradition, featuring 203 rooms and suites, and 20 exclusive Private Villas—luxurious hillside residences with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. The diverse dining options range from specialty cocktail bars and casual all-day dining to upscale dining, each highlighting the best of Sicilian cuisine, with an international twist. The flagship Irene Forte Spa offers a 4,000m² sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation. The two award-winning 18-hole golf courses by Kyle Phillips make Verdura Resort a premier destination for golf enthusiasts.

About Rocco Forte Hotels | Established by Sir Rocco Forte and his sister, Lady Olga Polizzi in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels is a collection of 15 individual hotels, resorts, residences and villas. All of the hotels are landmarks, both old and new, occupying magnificent buildings in exceptional locations. Led by a family who has been in hospitality for four generations, the hotels are united by their distinctive approach to service ensuring guests experience the best of the cities and surrounding areas. Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: The Carlton and Rocco Forte House, Milan; Hotel de la Ville, Hotel de Russie and Rocco Forte House, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; Verdura Resort, Rocco Forte Private Villas and Villa Igiea, Sicily; Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; Brown’s Hotel, London; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Hotel Amigo, Brussels and Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg. Future openings: Costa Smeralda, Sardinia in 2026; Palazzo Castelluccio, Noto and Palazzo Sirignano, Naples in 2027 and Masseria del Cardinale, Puglia in 2028.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Isabella Giglia – PR and Communications Manager, Sicily - igiglia@roccofortehotels.com. 

SOURCE: ROCCO FORTE HOTELS