From Scotland to Morocco, the Netherlands and South Korea, the map of Kyle Phillips's courses has a single point in Italy, and it lies in Sciacca, Sicily.
Anyone searching for "Kyle Phillips Italy" will find a short answer, and it is best given straight away: the American architect signed only one Italian course, the Verdura Golf Resort in Sciacca, Sicily. The list of his work published by top100golfcourses.com also names only Verdura for Italy. What remains to be told is who Phillips is, what he has built elsewhere and what he brought to the ground at Sciacca.
Who is Kyle Phillips
Kyle Phillips graduated in landscape architecture from Kansas State University in 1981. He began his career with Robert Trent Jones Jr, rising from design associate to vice president, and in 1997 he founded his own firm, Kyle Phillips Golf Course Design. His first commission was Kingsbarns, about ten kilometres from St Andrews: the course was welcomed by critics and has remained in the world top 50 ever since.
The map of his work, according to the list on top100golfcourses.com, goes well beyond Kingsbarns: Dundonald Links in Scotland, The Grove and The Wisley in England, Morfontaine and Saint Donat in France, Hilversumsche in the Netherlands, Al Maaden in Morocco, Yas Links in the Emirates, South Cape in South Korea and, in Italy, Verdura.
Verdura, Phillips's only course in Italy
The client was Sir Rocco Forte, who spent eight years developing Verdura. The site covers 570 acres with 1.2 miles of private coastline; the first full year of operation was March 2010. The first decision was to leave no room for traffic: only electric vehicles circulate on the estate.
What Phillips put on the ground is explained by the architect himself. Near the shore he wanted a feeling of "linksland" with a rougher, seaside look, and further inland broad, rolling shapes similar to those at Muirfield. The recurring elements are the deep pot bunkers, the well-spaced fairways and the native Sicilian grasses. Of the work he concluded: "Golf purists will love it" (from his firm's page, 2010).
The design of the Verdura Golf Club translates into two championship courses plus a par-3 nine. By the architect's measurements, the East is 7,221 yards and the West 7,474 yards; there is also a composite layout of 7,458 yards.
What changed after the 2018 flood
In 2018 a violent flood damaged the second 18-hole course. After the damage, Phillips reworked many holes, especially those on the coast, rebuilding greens, bunkers and turf. The reopening was planned for summer 2021. Today the resort presents the two courses as East Links and West Shore.
The state of the courses in October 2026
According to the resort as of 3 October 2026, the East Links is open without restrictions. The West Shore is open, but Bermuda grass is being introduced, so until spring 2027 some areas may not be in top condition. The Executive remains closed until the same date. Before booking it is advisable to ask the resort for the latest status.
Where to stay at Verdura
The course is part of the Verdura Resort, a five-star hotel in Sciacca with 203 rooms. The Golf Inclusive Offer includes two green fees per room per night on the Links or the Shore, the practice range and a 30-minute lesson with Trackman, according to the resort. For the green fee for non-residents it is best to ask the resort directly.
If you are looking for the same character in Italy
There is no second Phillips, but the "links" character is not an exclusive. The San Domenico Golf, in Savelletri in Apulia, is presented by the club as a links designed by European Golf Design of London, among olive trees and the mistral, a step from the sea. In Sicily, at the foot of Etna, there is Il Picciolo: an 18-hole par 72 from 1989 with tees set into the lava at the 5th hole, according to the club the first 18-hole par 72 built on the island. They are courses that differ in style and in budget, to be chosen according to what you are after: the sea and the wind, or the volcano.
Curiosities
- A unique footprint. For Italy, the list of Phillips's work published by top100golfcourses.com names only Verdura.
- Starting out with Trent Jones Jr. Before going independent in 1997, Phillips had worked for years in the studio of Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- No engines. At Verdura only electric vehicles circulate, on the course too.
- The composite course. There is a 7,458-yard layout that combines holes from the two courses.
Frequently asked questions
Has Kyle Phillips designed other courses in Italy besides Verdura?+
According to the list of his work published by top100golfcourses.com, no: for Italy it names only the Verdura Resort, in Sciacca.
Who is Kyle Phillips?+
An American golf course architect who graduated in landscape architecture in 1981 from Kansas State University. He worked for Robert Trent Jones Jr and in 1997 founded his own firm. He is the author of Kingsbarns, in Scotland.
Where is Kyle Phillips's course in Italy?+
At Verdura, near Sciacca, on the south-western coast of Sicily, in a 570-acre resort with 1.2 miles of private coastline.
How many courses does Verdura have?+
Two 18-hole courses, East Links and West Shore, plus a par-3 nine, the Executive. The West Shore is being renewed with Bermuda grass and the Executive remains closed until spring 2027, according to the resort.
When did the Verdura Golf Resort open?+
The first full year of operation is 2010.
Is Verdura a links course?+
Phillips speaks of a "linksland" feeling along the shore, with broad, rolling shapes inland that recall Muirfield. The resort presents it as a course with a links character.
