Some golf courses make you dream and the Pevero golf course is one of them. It is located on the north-eastern coast of Sardinia, in Cala di Volpe, in the middle of famous Costa Smeralda (the emerald coast). Built in 1972, it bears the signature of Trent Jones senior. A trademark that can be found at the level of its integration to the environment, the diversity of the available types of plays and the greens guarded by many ponds or drowned in the middle of the scrubland. Bordered by luxurious villas, the course zigzags the hills down to the sea, between granite rocks and small natural lakes. On some holes, the view is breathtaking. You could almost forget the play. A play often complicated by the wind which is one of the keys of Pevero. Some days, nerves of steal are necessary to be able to keep the ball on the fairways. At a little more than one hour flight away from the main European capitals, the fame of Pevero does not need introduction anymore. It is regarded as one of the golf wonders of the Mediterranean. A reputation enhanced by the luxury surrounding it, in the clubhouse as well as in the immediate surroundings. Refinement and service  are the Masters words. One will appreciate in particular the friendly and devoted personnel always ready to clean your clubs at the end of your game.

Prudence and self-control
The first hole of the course, with a slightly downhill broad fairway, does not present major difficulties, but as early as hole #2, be ready for a challenging play. It is an uphill dog-leg left par4, with a rather delicate tee shot. A 3 wood is recommended to then try to reach the green with a 4 iron. The following par5 must also be negotiated with humility, before being able to relax somewhat on holes #4 and #5. The next par4 is particularly difficult to negotiate. The downhill fairway gets narrower at the end of the drive and the green is well guarded by water and bunkers. An iron stroke for the tee shot is a careful move, to then use an 8 iron above the lake. Hole #7 is a downhill 195 meters long par3, where it will be necessary to fly over a pond to reach the green. Typically it is on hole #8, an uphill dog-leg left that the first signs of tiredness can be felt. This course is indeed very physically demanding, when playing on foot. The ascent continues on hole #9 (par5) and with the high play difficulty.

Magic of the return
If you made some errors on the way out, the first three holes of the return should raise your confidence level. You will certainly need it on hole #13 with a blind tee shot, between scrubs and rocks, on an undulating dog-leg right fairway. It is perhaps the most difficult hole of the course and a boggey would be an achievement. Hole #14 with a par-3 can allow the good players to try a birdie. On hole #15, it will be necessary to forget the driver and wood because a high degree of accuracy is required throughout this very narrow fairway leading to a small green surrounded by six bunkers. Delicacy is also recommended for hole $16, a par-4 bordered by water on the left and out of bounds on the right side. The green is also guarded by a lake and the smallest mistake could be costly. After the beautiful par3 of hole #17, it will be necessary to mobilize all your energy not to let go for hole #18. On the fairway of this last uphill par5, it will be necessary to guide your ball between out of bounds on the left and bunkers all along the right side. An excellent 6 or 5 iron stroke is then necessary to reach the elevated green which brings you back to the club-house. After the course, from the terrace of the restaurant or from the bar, you will be able to admire this splendid panorama once again. An unbelievable view of the sea which, some days, imitates the emerald color of the greens and fairways.

Luxury and authenticity
Costa Smeralda is the leading destination of Sardinia. The coastline was developed in the 70s by the Aga Khan, with the aim of establishing a high-class, deluxe tourist destination. Porto Cervo is the jewel in the crown, with an outstanding international reputation in the sport of sailing. The most beautiful yachts which sail in the Mediterranean make a stopover here and a stroll in this mythical port can not be avoided. You can laze around on the café terraces or go shopping in the high luxury boutiques. The biggest ready to wear and jewelry brands are available here. Porto Cervo is also known for its night life, with lively pubs and very beautiful discos, where it is not uncommon to meet stars who stay in the region. Porto Rotondo, the summer residence of Silvio Berlusconi, is also a very prized location. A notable spot is a superb beach and an out-of-this-world disco built in the granite grottos. On the hotel scene, there are four magnificent establishments which are part of an American golf management group: Cervo Hotel, Cala Di Volpe Hotel, Pitrizza Hotel, Romazzino Hotel. Golf and hotel packages are offered (golf information desk). So long as a booking and payment are made some months in advance, you can even sleep in the Diana suite at Cala di Volpe. This is where Lady Di spent her last night before her tragic accident in Paris. If you travel down the beautiful inlets on the coast, you can discover a more authentic Sardinia, with a long and rich history and vibrant traditions which are still being followed today. In fact, the region has numerous archeological sites which date back thousands of years. The Tomba dei Giganti (tomb of the giants), as well as the neolithic necropolis of Li Muri, are located at Li Lolghi, along the road between Arzachena and Luogosanto. A visit to the Nuraghi (pre-historic fortifications) at Malchitu and d’Albucciu, on the road between Olbia and Arzachena, is a mustsee. A map of the archeological sites, with detailed explanations, is on sale in bookshops and souvenir shops. In order to find out about traditions and arts and crafts, you need to explore the interior. The towns of Arzachena, Tempio and Nuoro are worth a detour. On the gastronomical front, authentic Sardinian cuisine can be enjoyed at farmhouse inns, with xceptional value for money. They can be located by following the ‘Agriturismu’ signposts on the roadsides. If you have a bit of time, a one-day escapade in the La Madalena archipelago (10 minutes by boat departing from Palau) will help you to discover the splendid islands, jewels of the international marine park which is on display between Corsica (Lavezzi islands) and Sardinia. A notable discovery in this area is the Garibaldi. In fact, the father of Italian unity was a native of Caprera. A small hike in Corsica is equally possible (one or two days), departing from Santa Teresa (1 hour by boat). A visit to Bonifacio is truly worth the detour and you could even play a round of golf at Sperone, the Corsican counterpart of Pevero.
Pierre Ciabrini