Lee Westwood Golf School (LWGS) 2014 Overall Order of Merit winner Ben Purshouse will head to the five-star Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA this year as he takes the next steps on the road towards fulfilling his ultimate ambition of becoming a world golfing superstar.

Purshouse is dreaming of a career on the European and PGA Tour and plans to visit the deluxe Sicilian resort in the coming months after winning a five-star holiday to Donnafugata thanks to his success at the LWGS in Cheshire.

The 20-year-old golfer, who currently plays off scratch at Esery Golf Club in France, and 16-year-old Megan Henry, who won the Overall Order of Merit title at the LWGS in Essex, both claimed luxury four-night holidays for two people to Sicily after taking the top prize in their competitions.

Donnafugata's wide array of five-star facilities include two 18-hole championship golf courses while the resort opened a new Darren Clarke Centre of Excellence last spring – the only one of its kind in continental Europe.

As well as enjoying four nights' bed and breakfast accommodation, Purshouse, Henry and their guests will also be treated to three rounds of golf each on a choice of Donnafugata's two courses, the Links and Parkland – host of the Sicilian Open in 2011.

Purshouse, who lives in Switzerland on the outskirts of Geneva and has spent the last two years at the LWGS, said: “I'm really looking forward to playing the courses at Donnafugata and spending some time relaxing at the resort, including sampling the famous Sicilian food!

“A friend of mine has been there before and has told me that it's very nice. I haven't decided who I am going to take with me yet. I might take my brother, my dad, my coach or even my girlfriend.

“My immediate aims in golf are fairly straightforward, to keep practising hard every day until I am good enough to compete at a Tour level. I am focusing on reducing my handicap to gain access to bigger amateur events, where there are a lot of World Amateur Golf Ranking points to be won, which will allow me to gain a good amateur status before trying Qualifying School in 2017-2018.

“I have one goal in life and that's to be a full-time member of the European or PGA Tour and make it into the top 50 of the world. I won't stop trying until I have achieved this and I truly believe that it's not a matter of 'if' but 'when' I will accomplish this.”

While Purshouse is aiming to use his Donnafugata trip to further his professional dream, Henry will use her holiday to Sicily to work on getting her handicap down.

The 12-handicapper, who is a member at Epping and Chigwell golf clubs and won the 2014 Essex Overall Order of Merit title playing off a handicap of 17, said: “This is the first time I have won a competition like this. I have been to Sicily before on a cruise but not got past the port. I am really looking forward to the trip.

“I'm not sure who is coming with me, I will let my parents fight that one out! I am looking forward to warm weather and great golf. I have looked at the Donnafugata website and can't wait to get there!”

The Lee Westwood Golf School has gone from strength to strength since being launched in 2010, with more than 80 students currently attending the schools, which operate a two-year golf and education programme offering a BTEC Extended National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three 'A' Levels) for young golfers aged 16 and over.

This year's LWGS Overall Order of Merit saw youngsters compete in a series of monthly events at its two regional schools in Cheshire and Essex, with the final competition held on four different courses at the end of the academic year.

Guy Roberts, director of golf at Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA, said: “Donnafugata is proud to feature some of the best new golf facilities and we're looking forward to welcoming Ben and Megan in the coming months and helping them further their golfing careers.”

Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA has won widespread acclaim across the golf industry since opening in 2010 and its Darren Clarke Centre of Excellence offers a variety of tuition packages and individual lessons for golfers of all abilities aged six and above.

Located just 15 minutes from Comiso airport and 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 boasts a number of fantastic historical cities to explore nearby. These include Val di Noto, the heart of Sicilian baroque; Ragusa Ibla, Modica, Noto and Scicli. All are deemed fitting of UNESCO World Heritage status.

As well as its outstanding golf facilities, Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA has 202 rooms, an award-winning 900mq spa and health club, two swimming pools, two private beaches and three restaurants offering a broad selection of '0km food' locally-sourced gastronomic delights, well accompanied by perfect Sicilian wines to enhance flavour.

For more information on Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA or to book a stay, call 00 39 0932 914 200 or visit www.donnafugatagolfresort.com.

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Information for journalists

Press release written and distributed on behalf of Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA by the Azalea Group.

Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA
The five-star luxury Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA ( www.donnafugatagolfresort.com ) is the perfect starting point for discovering the hidden treasures of Sicily, one of Italy's most fascinating regions. A real paradise for golfers, the Resort – which is 15 minutes away from Comiso airport and a 90-minute drive from Catania airport – hosted the Sicilian Open in 2011 and is located in the heart of Sicilian baroque with pure beaches. It is an ideal location for relaxing holidays and important events in exclusive surrounding. The Resort has 202 rooms, a 900mq spa and health club, two swimming pools, three restaurants, eight meeting rooms and two championship golf courses.

Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA, Contrada Piombo – 97100 Ragusa
Tel: +0039 0932 914 200
Fax: +0039 0932 914 222
Email: nhdonnafugata@nh-hotels.com 
High-resolution images of the resort are available for download from http://goo.gl/ggxHM. 

For further information:

Pete Simm at the Azalea Group on +44 (0)1730 711920 or email petes@theazaleagroup.com or

Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA
Glenda Pirovano
Marketing Manager
Ph.: +39 02 575551
Mobile: +39 342 3164908
E-mail: g.pirovano@nh-hotels.com 

Lee Westwood Golf School
The first Lee Westwood Golf School (LWGS) was launched in Cheshire in 2010, with the opening of its Essex school following a year later. There are currently more than 80 students attending the schools, which operate a two-year golf and education programme offering a BTEC Extended National Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three 'A' Levels) for students aged 16 and over. The LWGS also offers a golf-only programme for students aged 18 and above (a Gap Year programme).

The LWGS is an official partner of England Golf and, through the relationship, is able to offer school scholarships for young golfers who are within the England Golf coaching framework. Other supporters include PING, UPS, Bushnell, Dunlop, Titleist, and Druh Belts, and the LWGS is the sister school to the Darren Clarke Golf School.

Tel: +0044 028 9446 6227
Email: info@leewestwoodgolfschool.com  
www.leewestwoodgolfschool.com 

For further information: 

Gavin Hamlyn
General Manager
Mob: +0044 07766880545
Email: gavin@leewestwoodgolfschool.com