I hadn’t heard much about Costa Ragusa, once named Donnafugata, nor contemplated golf in Sicily before I embarked on this trip.
So, in an effort to expand my golf knowledge and experience, I was truly excited to make the journey.
When we were told co-designer Miguel Ángel Jiménez, the ‘Mechanic’, would be joining us, my intrigue and excitement went to another level.
How do you get to Costa Ragusa?
A three-hour flight from Manchester to Catania was followed by an hour-and-45-minute transfer. It’s not the quickest of European destinations to get to, but some places are simply worth it.
Comiso Airport is only 20 mins away from the resort and is ready and capable of accepting flights when the expected demand increases. Even if this doesn’t happen, a new motorway is under construction from Catania, which will speed up transfers.
What is Miguel Ángel Jiménez’s involvement?
Costa Ragusa has engaged Miguel Ángel Jiménez to reimagine the Queens Course, while José María Olazábal will add his experienced touches to the Castle Course.
The Queens Course is due to open in late March 2027, and I had the pleasure of spending some time with Jiménez to discover his golf architecture likes and dislikes, and to find out how the Queens Course stacks up for him.
Sitting with his trademark huge cigar in hand, Jiménez exuded a deep love and enthusiasm for what he does. Golf is truly a family affair for him. His entire family plays, and his son, Víctor, is currently training to become a rules official. This lifelong passion for the game shines through in his obvious excitement for the Costa Ragusa project.
During our conversation, Jiménez revealed that much of his architectural inspiration comes from the legendary Pete Dye. For golfers visiting the Queens Course, this influence means they can expect several classic Dye design philosophies integrated into the landscape:
Visual illusion and deception: Dye was famous for making holes look more intimidating than they actually are. Golfers can expect clever angles that trick the eye, requiring mental focus before every shot.
Small, well-protected greens: Instead of massive targets, Dye-inspired courses favour precise approaches to smaller, heavily bunkered green complexes.
The “Heroic” option: Golfers will often face a choice – take a risky, aggressive line for a better reward, or play it safe for an easier bogey but a tougher par.
While the original Franco Piras layout remains largely intact, the bunkers and green complexes have been thoroughly updated.
The course will feature distinct changes in elevation, but it is fundamentally set up for players of all abilities to enjoy.
Measuring a modest 6,600 yards from the championship tips, it won’t demand raw power, but it will absolutely require precision. Strategy from the tee will be highly important.
True to Jiménez’s design preferences, holes and hazards will be fully visible, eliminating unfair blind shots. He noted that the 8th and 12th holes offer particularly spectacular views – the kind of standout holes that golfers will remember long after their visit.
Jiménez is incredibly happy with the progress of the Queens Course so far, and his vision promises a thoroughly rewarding experience.
What can we say about the course?
The original courses were named Donnafugata, which translates to ‘escaping women’. According to Sicilian lore, the woman in question was Queen Bianca of Navarre, who was imprisoned in the castle by Count Bernardo Cabrera who wanted to force her to marry him.
The unwilling queen managed a middle-of-the-night escape, which prompted locals to call the site the place of the “fleeing women”. Hence the new course names being Queens and Castle.
We managed to escape to the course and walk on the aforementioned 8th and 12th holes. Although the turf is yet to be laid down, the tees, fairways, bunkers and greens could easily be visualised.
Like every hole on the Queens, there are five distinct tee options and, at just under 160 yards from the tips and not much over 100 yards from the front tee, the 12th gives everyone a chance and a challenge.
The view is spectacular, the infinity green gives way to distant sea views. Add to this the changeable winds, and you won’t know if a well-struck shot will find a place on the green until it lands!
I think the 8th hole is really going to be a huge favourite for many. From the tee, the eye runs down the hole past the large bunker on the right to the end of the fairway and then, the almost island green rises out of the large lake.
Elite players will be itching to drive the ball close to the green but that comes with a whole load of risks. So it’s about choosing the right lay-up club from the tee, which will then leave your favourite pitch shot.
The practice facilities are still under construction, but the plans suggest they will be first rate with a putting green, large chipping green and bespoke bunker practice green. I’m not sure I’d make it to the course!
So for those professionals looking to arrange coaching trips, it’s going to be absolutely ideal and don’t forget the Queens course will be super playable for all abilities.
What is the accommodation like?
Sitting on the breathtaking beachfront, there are two distinct five-star lodging concepts ready for luxury seekers.
The primary option is Mangia’s Costa Ragusa Borgo, a beautifully designed all-inclusive village. It features over 430 sophisticated rooms, suites, and private villas immersed in lush Mediterranean gardens. Built around the central Piazza Ibla, it caters extensively to families and couples.
For travellers seeking a quieter escape, the adjacent Icona’s Costa Ragusa Resort offers an exclusive, adults-only, five-star experience with 105 upscale rooms blending contemporary Italian design with panoramic sea views.
Beyond accommodations and amazing golf options, sport is elevated into a true lifestyle experience here.
The complex boasts an impressive world-class sports zone featuring 14 red clay tennis courts, three padel courts, and pickleball setups, making it a premier destination for intensive training camps or casual matches.
Active guests can also take advantage of scenic running paths, a bright, state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a dedicated water sports hub for sailing, kayaking, and snorkelling directly off the 3,000-square-metre private beach.
The beach bar was a favourite of mine and was just a three-minute walk from the hotel. I walked down there early on the day I was leaving, and the peace, tranquillity, furniture, and sea view with waves gently crashing left me in a truly meditative state.
What about eating out?
I love hotel breakfasts, and breakfast at Costa Ragusa just excels, with beautiful food (in fact, anything and everything you could ever want), very attentive staff and great coffee!
After the course walk, we travelled to the Donnafugata Winery where we were treated to a simply amazing wine tasting.
We were given appropriate dishes to go with each wine, and each one was explained and described to us by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Adriana.
Whether you are a wine connoisseur or not, it’s a special experience. It certainly helps you ‘relax’ for the rest of the day.
For the evening meal, a five-minute buggy ride took us to the AMA Restaurant. It’s situated on a small promontory with stunning views of the ocean and beaches. We could hear the waves all night as we watched the sun go down.
The hotel also boasts the IBLAE fine dining restaurant, which highlights the incredible Sicilian cuisine.
Final thoughts
Costa Ragusa is a destination that demands attention. With Comiso Airport located just 20 minutes from the resort – and fully capable of accepting flights as demand increases – access is only going to improve.
Even if flight patterns take time to shift, a new motorway currently under construction from Catania will soon speed up transfer times significantly.
Combined with the world-class design signatures of Jiménez and Olazábal, Costa Ragusa is stepping out of the shadows to become a major player in European golf. It is an emerging gem that every passionate golfer should have on their radar.
About John Green
John was the head professional at Alwoodley for 35 years and is a Fellow of The PGA. He assists in the club’s office and pro shop and now plays more golf than ever.
He loves everything about golf except for the slow play of tour players and handicap manipulators. He has a handicap of +0.4 and supports York City.
Now have your say on Costa Ragusa
Will you be heading to Costa Ragusa? Let us know your thoughts on the changes to the resort either by leaving a comment or getting in touch on X.
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