Two-time European Tour champion Matteo Manassero will be one of the host nation’s leading hopes when he makes his debut at the second edition of the Sicilian Open, which will be held from March 29-April 1 at a stunning new venue, Verdura Golf & Spa Resort in Sciacca, on the holiday island of Sicily.
Manassero became the youngest winner in European Tour history when, aged 17 years and 188 days, he won the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar in 2010, en route to being named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, and he followed that up with victory at the 2011 Maybank Malaysia Open.
The 19 year old will be joined at the Kyle Phillips designed Verdura Golf Resort & Spa by defending champion Raphaël Jacquelin of France, Major Champions Rich Beem and John Daly of America, and a host of winners of the Italian Open including 2011 champion Robert Rock of England, his compatriot Steve Webster (2005), Frenchman Grégory Havret (2001) and South African Hennie Otto (2008), all vying for the €166,000 first prize.
The official press conference in Rome was attended by Gaetano Armao and Antonio Belcuore from the Sicilian Region; Franco Chimenti, President of the Italian Federation of Golf; Donato Di Ponziano, Technical Co-ordinator of the Sicilian Open; Luca Nardi, President of Verdura Golf & Spa Resort; and Silvio Barbetta, Vice President of Jumbo Grandi Eventi.
The Region of Sicily’s involvement is part of its collaboration with the Italian Federation of Golf to promote and increase golf tourism in Sicily through major sporting events. The three-year programme started in 2010 with the Sicilian Senior Open on the European Senior Tour, held at Picciolo Golf Club and won by Spaniard Domingo Hospital, and continued in 2011 with the inaugural edition of the Sicilian Open, staged at Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, and the Sicilian Ladies Italian Open.
The €1million tournament will be promoted by Jumbo Grandi Eventi, a company with a wealth of experience of promoting both national and international sporting events.
In addition to the Region of Sicily, the event will be supported by MIPAAF, Ministero politiche agricole alimentari e forestali (Istitutional partner); Omega (Official Timekeeper); ISC, Istituto Credito sportivo, Warsteiner, MGKVIS, Cristina Rubinetterie (Official Partner); Acqua Eva Warsteiner and Jaguar (Official Supplier); Sky Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport (Media Partner).
The tournament, which is offering free entry to the public, gets underway on Wednesday March 28 with the Jaguar Pro-Am, which will feature Italian stars from the world of football, including Cesare Prandelli and Gianfranco Zola.
For more information, visit the tournament websitehere
