Details - Hospitality, Sports, Leisure, Portugal’s largest golf course operator, has turned to two icons of European golf to launch an exciting new era for Sicilian golf destination at the new Costa Ragusa Golf.

Spanish legends José María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel Jiménez - winners of no fewer than 87 tournaments between them worldwide during glittering careers that have spanned five decades - have been selected to redesign the former Parkland and Links courses at the resort previously called Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, with the layouts being rebranded as the Castle and Queens courses.

The Queens Course – which will be designed by Jiménez, his first full golf course design project - is set to be unveiled to the golfing world next year with the Olazábal-designed Castle Course opening in 2028. Both layouts will revive the spirit of Donnafugata’s old courses through thoughtfully reimagined layouts designed to captivate golfers of all skill levels.

Two-time Masters champion Olazábal, who also appeared in seven Ryder Cups and captained Europe to an unforgettable victory in 2012, said: “What jewels those two courses are. It is simply wonderful that we can bring them back to life for all to enjoy again. And it is even more special that I get to do this together with my good friend Miguel Ángel.”

Jiménez, winner of 55 global tournaments including 21 on the European Tour and 17 on the PGA Champions Tour, said: “I am just as excited as José María. I will try to deliver a course that welcomes every golfer. The idea is to offer guests an experience full of character and joy.”

Both courses will play to a par of 72, with the two distinctive designs delivering exceptional variety for everyone that plays. Measuring 6,592 metres, the Castle Course will be the longer of the two layouts, providing a world-class test capable of hosting top international tournaments, with the Queens Course slightly shorter at 6,105 metres from the back tees.

Featuring modernised greens, tees and bunkers, the course renovations will elevate the look, feel and playing experience at Costa Ragusa Golf, bringing renewed energy to one of Sicily’s most distinctive golf landscapes.

A compelling risk-and-reward philosophy will balance playability and enjoyment with strategic challenge, with special attention given to water efficiency, biodiversity protection and responsible land management. Sustainable measures will include reduced maintained grass areas, the preservation of native vegetation, waste reduction, energy-efficient course maintenance and close collaboration with local suppliers and communities. The revival of the Castle and Queens courses will strengthen both the golf experience and the environment in which they sit.

Nuno Sepulveda, co-CEO at Details - Sports, Hospitality, Leisure - said: “José María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel Jiménez are two of the most respected figures in European golf, with an unrivalled combination of playing achievements, course knowledge and passion for the game.

“Beyond their remarkable careers, both bring distinct personalities and design philosophies that perfectly complement the character of these two courses. José María's strategic approach and deep understanding of tournament golf make him ideally suited to shaping the Castle Course into a world-class layout, while Miguel Ángel's creativity and passion for enjoyment and playability will ensure the Queens Course delivers a welcoming and engaging experience for golfers of all abilities.

“We’re very proud to be working with two icons of European golf in the redesign of the courses, and we’re confident that both will soon be regarded among the most compelling golf experiences in the Mediterranean.”

Costa Ragusa Golf is the newest addition to Details’ expanding golf portfolio and the company’s first project outside of Portugal. Situated in Sicily’s historic south-east region, the resort first opened in 2009 and had the honour of hosting the 2011 Sicilian Open before closing in 2020.

Overseeing its relaunch next year, Details will be responsible for the day-to-day management and development of the 36-hole venue, including strategy, repositioning, marketing, sales and communications expertise, transforming the resort into a premier upscale resort destination combining hospitality and golf into a cohesive, premium offering.

Costa Ragusa Golf is located at the heart of one of Europe’s richest cultural landscapes. Sicily’s UNESCO-listed towns, acclaimed gastronomy, volcanic scenery and internationally celebrated wine region provide a depth of experience that elevates the proposition beyond just golf alone.

ENDS

Information for journalists

Press release written and distributed on behalf of Details - Hospitality, Sports, Leisure - by Azalea.

For further information, high-resolution imagery, please contact Luke Frary at Azalea on +44 1730 711920 or luke.frary@theazaleagroup.com

About Details - Hospitality, Sports, Leisure
DETAILS is a tourism asset management platform responsible for managing a diversified portfolio of hospitality, sports, and leisure assets across Portugal. The company currently oversees 28 hospitality projects in operation and under development, including Hyatt Regency Vilamoura Algarve, Hilton Vilamoura, Palmares Beach House Hotel and Signature Apartments, as well as The Pearl Tróia, The Anchor Tróia and Tróia Residences. In the sports and leisure segment, DETAILS manages the largest portfolio of golf courses in Portugal, including Vilamoura’s iconic courses: Old Course Vilamoura, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna and The Els Club Vilamoura, the Algarve’s first private golf club and the first Ernie Els-branded club in Europe. The portfolio also includes PGA Aroeira Lisboa, Palmares, Vale Pisão, Tróia Golf, Monte Rei and San Lorenzo. In addition to its Portuguese portfolio, DETAILS also manages Costa Ragusa Golf in Sicily, Italy, formerly known as Donnafugata Golf. The sports asset portfolio further includes Brown’s Sports Centre, the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre, and a new Sports Centre currently under development in Vilamoura.