Emirates Golf Federation and Rocco Forte Hotels Celebrate Partnership at Dubai Creek

Last night, the Emirates Golf Federation celebrated its partnership with Rocco Forte Hotels at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, marking the first, and certainly not the last, evening hosted alongside Sir Rocco Forte himself.

The event brought together key figures from the UAE golf community to celebrate excellence, hospitality, and the growing relationship between the Federation and one of the world’s most prestigious hotel groups. Guests were treated to fascinating insights from Sir Rocco Forte about the company’s collection of luxury properties, with particular focus on the Verdura Resort in Sicily, Rocco Forte’s flagship destination.

Located on the island’s picturesque southwest coast near the charming towns of Sciacca and Agrigento, Verdura Resort opened in 2009 and has since become synonymous with world-class golf, wellness, and authentic Sicilian hospitality. Set across 230 hectares of stunning Mediterranean landscape, the resort features two championship golf courses designed by Kyle Phillips, the same architect behind Yas Links Abu Dhabi, creating a fitting connection between the two organisations.

It also offers private villas, award-winning dining, a renowned spa, and access to some of Sicily’s most treasured cultural sites. With FlyDubai offering a direct six-hour flight from the UAE to Sicily, Verdura represents a truly luxurious, yet easily accessible, destination for summer getaways or golf retreats.

“I’m incredibly excited about the future relationship between the Emirates Golf Federation and Rocco Forte Hotels,” said Sir Rocco Forte. “To see golf flourish in this region and to be part of that journey is truly special. I’m already looking forward to returning to the UAE to experience one of the events that we are proudly sponsoring.”

It seemed only fitting that the inaugural event of the Rocco Forte Series will take place at the iconic Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, beginning with the Senior Category on Saturday, 29th November. This exciting new addition to the Emirates Golf Federation calendar will provide mid-amateur and senior golfers the chance to compete for an exclusive prize, a once-in-a-lifetime golf experience at Verdura Resort in Sicily.

The evening was further elevated by appearances from DP World Tour players Nicolas Colsaerts and Guido Migliozzi, and a special Q&A session hosted by David Jones, which offered guests a deeper look into Verdura’s vision and the future of the resort.

“This is year one of what we know will be an amazing partnership,” said Blair Harvey, Director of Sales for Rocco Forte Hotels. “We look forward to watching this relationship grow and to bringing a touch of the Middle East to Italy through the Rocco Forte Series.”

Golfers interested in competing in the Rocco Forte Series can register via the Emirates Golf Federation website, and those seeking more information about exclusive travel benefits to Verdura Resort are encouraged to connect through the EGF’s social media channels.