The European “Pebble Beach”
“A captivating site between the sea and scrubland”, “At the devilish doorstep of a new paradise”, “The European Pebble Beach”, praises abound to qualify
Robert Trent Jones Senior’s masterpiece. Its will! The famous architect carved out these 18 holes over 76 hectares, enabling maximum isolation of each
fairway to offer players a communion with nature, without risk of being disturbed by other golfers. To start off at Sperone’s tee no 1 is to undertake,
humbly, a golfing odyssey. Its 6,106 meters (par-72) - not a gigantic length – make it all the more demanding in terms of precision of play. More so that
wind can intrude to stimulate the player’s acumen, even if the climate is exceptionally gentle. White tee offs, the course is endowed with a slope of 158 for
one sss of 76, which ranks it 5th on the national level for its difficulty. However, the numerous departure areas gives rise to many combinations, makes it
possible to vary the length of holes, game angles, from the novice to the best professional player. A professional player will very soon realize that
Sperone’s greatest difficulty is to never hit a shot with flat feet?.

A mythical hole
The most striking example is hole 16 (par-5) where the daring players have to come twice above the sea to try to touch the green in two shots. A “signature”
hole which makes the headline of specialised magazines. It was selected by the British publication “Europe Elite 100” for representing the European dream
golf course. Sperone is featured there along with other prestigious golf courses such as Valderama, Sr Andrews or Royal Tron. Sperone, which won the first
prize for its site’s quality in the ranking of the 50 best golf courses in France (European Golf), has the unique characteristic of bringing together on the
same course the three main golf styles: links, inland and mountain golf course.

Humility and concentration
On the first nine holes outward, after having tried to outwit the traps of hole 3 (par-5), avoided the three puts on the sloping green of hole 4 and managed
to keep your self control at the start of hole 6 to touch the fairway above the scrubland, hole 7, a short par 3, will require a lot of dexterity to keep
your ball on a green surrounded by water while at the mercy of the whims of the wind. Crossing hole 8 (the longest par 4 and the most difficult of the
course) will be critical. Being happy with a boggey, even a double, may help avoid the worst. On the way back, as from hole 10, the tone is set. The drive –
a wood 5 or a good iron shot may suffice – must go over the lake, before then taking up a raised green, of double slopes, well protected by bunkers. However,
it is at hole 11 tee off that the player is overwhelmed by the landscape. On this first hole “of the sea”, one must drive blindly, towards the close by
Sardaigne (12 kms). On a good day the coasts of the neighbouring island welcome you with open arms. An offshore call to which your concentration must resist
in order not to miss the tee off of hole 12 (par 3). The green rests on 135 meters, in the middle of the scrubland: no right to mistake. Depending on the
wind - the club’s choice is crucial - this can vary from pitch to wood 5!

Under the fairways, the sea…
Hole 13, with a sloping fairway is a tricky par 4. In windy conditions, the best players attempt the green in one shot, but the penalty can be harsh. A well
secured iron at the tee off is required to remain in the par or the boggey. You will enjoy all the more the climb towards the following hole by resisting the
sirens’ call lazing on the beautiful white sandy beach of little Sperone. You will find it easier to leave your drive at hole 14, before getting back your
control and tactical sense. The green, located at the edge of the cliff and swept by the wind, is often very dry: a missed birdy may fast turn into a
nightmare. It is better to take on hole 16 without frayed nerves.

…That we see dancing
The tee off of this hole is at the Southern most headland of Corsica, hence at the end of France. From here, the view is impregnable on the Piantarella Bay,
its luxury yachts, its surfers and on the Lavezzi archipelago. A natural reserve where sits enthroned Cavallo, named the “Billionaires’ island”. The various
blue shades of the sea are unrivalled. Enough to make one lose concentration just when one needs it most to manage a risky face-off on this mythical par 5.
The par there is feasible, the birdy accessible, but the cross welcomes you at the slightest mistake. After a delicate par 3 to deal with at hole 17, hole 18
(par 5) makes a tiring climb towards the club house. But the prospect of the 19th hole, with a very chilled Pietra (chestnut flour Corsican beer) or a
“thing” (club’s speciality) may gives you wings. It is also the time for reckoning, for doing and redoing the course with your game partners.

Technical sheet
18 holes par 72 (6106 m)
Architect: Robert Trent Jones Senior
73 hectares
Slope: Black159 (sss 77); White 158 (sss 76); Yellow 148
(sss 73.8); Blue 146 (sss 71,3); Red 137 (sss 72.6)
Green fee: 55 euros; 88 euros (peak season from 01/07 to 31/08)
Practice 14 posts (4 covered); putting green; pitching green.
Individual and group coaching, clinics.
Tel: +33 495 731 713
golf@sperone.net - www.sperone.net

I came, I saw… and I also conquered. Even if it is the course, jealously protected by the green-keeper Enilio Vichera, which is almost always the winner.
Indeed, players who have managed to come under the par can be counted on the fingers of one hand. But conquered all the same since the pleasure is immense:
pleasure of the game, of the discovery and of a dream come true. With a wild wish to tee off again, strengthened by a better knowledge of the terrain. But
you will very soon realise, with experience, that this course is never the same. That is probably where Sperone’s greatest appeal lies •

An art of living
Bordering the golf course, the Sperone estate sprawls out over 135 hectares. It has two sea frontages. The real estate project, with a projected built up
area, at completion, of less than 5% of the whole land area, unfolds over two zones, Sperone and Piantarella. The residential development includes 126 lots,
of which 99 are constructed to date. The choice of wood as material - blending naturally within the site - the personality of the clientele and the signature
of the architects, have contributed to making it a first class residential development. Sperone is about an art of living, and articles dedicated to these
magnificent villas and their decoration have circulated around the world. The accommodation offer, with villas for rental, also includes about fifteen
apartments, from studios to 3-room duplexes. The club house is also a building with an appealing architecture due to its intimacy and the nobility of its
materials. Beyond the quality of its amenities and its welcome, its success is also due to its harmony with the environment. This adds value to a high level
golf course which no golfer who enjoys nature would disregard. The club house contains a pro shop where you can find the most prestigious brands of equipment
and clothing, as well as a bar and a restaurant open to all, with a panoramic view over the sea, the Lavezzi and Sardaigne archipelagos. Sperone is also
about magnificent beaches along the estate. Leisure and tranquillity in the little and big Sperone, nautical activities and diving in Piantarella.

Around golf
In Bonifacio, a visit uptown, some thousands years old, is a must. From the top of its Genovese ramparts, it overlooks its prestigious marina from where you
can go for a boat visit to grottos and cliffs, which is a must, or an outing to the Lavezzi islands. Porto-Vecchio, another town very close by (30 kms), is
renowned for its soft sandy beaches and its hinterland. An escapade to the mountain brings a breath of fresh air, including a gourmet stop at Ospedale or at
Cartalavonu to enjoy Corsican cuisine. Visit to the Ospedale lake and the Piscia di Gallo waterfalls cannot be missed. One can also go further in the Alta
Rocca towards the Bavella needles, the archaeological sites of Levie or look for the famous olive oil of Sainte Lucie of Tallano. On the West Coast, wild
coasts, one after the other, from Vintilegne to Rocapina, are ready to welcome you. Don’t forget to taste Tonnara lobsters or to spend a Corsican evening at
Monaccia d’Aullène. A charming village which will appeal to you for its traditional architecture in dry masonry and where you will be surprised to find an
exhibition of kilim carpets from Anatolie and ethnic jewelleries. One can even go further up to Sartene, “the most Corsican of Corsican towns”, to visit the
citadel and the longest alignment of Mediterranean menhirs on the Cauria plateau.

Transport
Plane: Figari Airport (25 km): Scheduled flights to/from main French cities and links to/from European capitals.
Ship: Regular lines to Nice, Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Genoa, Savone, Livourne and Sardaigne, from Corsican ports.