PALERMO, Sicily — In a major move set to shake up Mediterranean golf, Portugal’s largest golf course operator, Details – Sports, Hospitality, Leisure, has announced its first international expansion by partnering with two European golfing icons to launch a new era at the revamped Costa Ragusa Golf in Sicily.
Spanish legends José María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel Jiménez—who boast a combined 87 worldwide tournament victories across five decades—have been commissioned to completely redesign the resort's two 18-hole courses. Formerly known as the Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, the venue has been closed since 2020 but is now being radically reimagined as a premium, eco-conscious golf destination.
Under the new master plan, the former Parkland and Links layouts will be completely rebranded as the Castle Course and the Queens Course, both playing to a par of 72.
The project marks a significant milestone for Jiménez, representing his first-ever full golf course design project. The Jiménez-designed Queens Course will be the first to welcome players, with a scheduled unveiling next year in 2027. It will measure 6,105 metres from the back tees and focus heavily on creativity and playability.
"I am just as excited as José María," said Jiménez, a winner of 55 global tournaments. "I will try to deliver a course that welcomes every golfer. The idea is to offer guests an experience full of character and joy."
Meanwhile, the Castle Course, designed by two-time Masters champion Olazábal, is slated to open in 2028. Measuring a lengthier 6,592 metres, the layout is being built to championship specifications, capable of hosting top-tier international tournaments.
"What jewels those two courses are," Olazábal said, reflecting on the project. "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."
| Course | Lead Designer | Expected Opening | Length (Back Tees) | Par | Core Philosophy |
| Queens Course | Miguel Ángel Jiménez | 2027 | 6,105 metres | 72 | Character, joy, and broad playability |
| Castle Course | José María Olazábal | 2028 | 6,592 metres | 72 | Strategic, tournament-ready world-class test |
Originally opened in 2009, the resort previously hosted the 2011 Sicilian Open. Details will take over day-to-day management, marketing, and strategy to reposition the 36-hole venue into an upscale resort that seamlessly blends premium hospitality with sport.
Nuno Sepulveda, co-CEO at Details, expressed immense pride in the collaboration, noting that the designers' contrasting styles perfectly match the resort's dual identity.
"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," Sepulveda said. "We’re confident that both will soon be regarded among the most compelling golf experiences in the Mediterranean."
Beyond modernised greens, tees, and bunkers, the renovation places a heavy premium on environmental stewardship. The redesign incorporates strict sustainability metrics, including:
Situated in Sicily’s historic south-east region, Costa Ragusa Golf aims to capture more than just the golfing market. Nestled among UNESCO-listed towns, acclaimed wineries, and famous volcanic scenery, the resort is positioning itself as a holistic cultural gateway to one of Europe's most celebrated landscapes.
