Golfers across Ireland have more reason than ever to visit the rising star of Italian golf, Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa in Sicily, with the impending launch of a new flight route from Dublin to Comiso.

From the start of April, low-cost carrier Ryanair will operate a twice-weekly service from Dublin into Comiso airport, which opened last May and is located just 20 minutes away from the deluxe resort.

Fares for the new route start from €33.99 and it is among the latest services into Comiso to be unveiled by Ryanair, following the launch of flights from London Stansted, Rome Ciampino, Brussels Charleroi, Pisa, Frankfurt Hahn and Kaunas (Lithuania) airports in the last six months.

Ryanair’s combined new services are forecast to deliver more than 200,000 passengers per year into the region, with other new routes announced recently including Alitalia’s twice-weekly service from Milan Linate airport.

The new flights will complement the already-existing service that Aer Lingus operates from Dublin to Catania airport, 90 minutes’ drive away from Donnafugata.

Pablo Rey Rodriguez, general manager at Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, said: “The new airport has had a very positive impact on visitor numbers since it opened and the launch of the new Dublin service is further good news for the resort and region.

“Irish golfers are renowned across Europe for their love of the game. We are very proud at Donnafugata of our two championship courses and other golfing facilities and are looking forward to showing off what we have to offer to a new golfing audience in the coming months.”

Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa has won widespread support and acclaim across the golf industry in Europe since opening in 2010.

Venue for the 2011 Sicilian Open, won by Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin, the resort was the first course in Italy to be invited to join IMG Prestige, an exclusive collection of some of the world’s most celebrated golfing venues.

Other recent highlights include both its courses being named in Golf World’s biennial list of the ‘Top 200 Courses in Continental Europe’ and the new ‘Top 30 Courses in Italy’ rankings released by popular website www.top100courses.co.uk.

Set in the beautiful area of Donnafugata, a natural reserve and famous tourist destination known for the imposing castle which bears the same name, the resort also boasts a number of fantastic historical cities nearby. These include Val di Noto, the heart of Sicilian baroque: Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Noto and Scicli. All of them are deemed fitting of UNESCO World Heritage status.

Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa has 202 rooms, an award-winning spa and health club, swimming pools and three restaurants offering a broad selection of gastronomic delights, well accompanied by perfect Sicilian wines to enhance flavour.

For more information on Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, its range of golf packages for 2014 or to book a stay, call 00 39 0932 914 200 or visit www.donnafugatagolfresort.com.