History of Golf de Roquebrune
A turbulent past
Golf de Roquebrune was created in 1988. At that time it had an 18-hole golf course designed by the Dutch architect Udo Barth. Until the 2000s, the golf club was a resounding success and boasted one of France’s best 18-hole courses.
Then the estate was earmarked for various housing projects, leaving the course fallow for many years. Nine holes were even destroyed to make way for a residential programme that never saw the light of day.
The Delli-Zotti family already owned the golf course, but became interested in the whole estate when approached by the commune of Roquebrune-sur-Argens. The family was charmed by the land’s idyllic setting with its 360° views of the sea and hinterland. They decided to buy the whole estate in 2007, recognising that it had real sporting and tourism potential.
The estate's resurgence
Passionate about nature and sport, the Delli-Zotti family tapped into their entrepreneurial spirit to undertake the major work needed to restore the estate and golf course. They were guided by two main objectives: to rebuild a course of excellence and to develop the buildings to offer a complete experience based on the Swiss model.
The 18-hole golf course - from eyesore to excellence
When they took over the golf club, the family found the golf course in a state of total disrepair. Half the holes had been destroyed and the rest were fallow. Michel Guyon was invited to remodel the 18-hole course and bring it back to its full potential.
Severe weather delayed the completion of the course and the freshly laid greens were destroyed by heavy rain and mudslides.
The 18-hole course only acquired the hilly, wooded, skillful and technical layout we see today in 2009.
It was also important for the family to retain the diversity and authenticity of the area’s natural beauty. The golf course’s holm oaks were retained and new plant species introduced. This landscape complements the stunning view, with the rock of the Massif des Maures contrasting sharply with the blue sea below.
The ultimate golfing experience
It was clear that the new golf club manager would have to offer an unparalleled service in line with the objectives of the newly developed site. So Mathieu Sevestre joined the management team in 2009 to develop the club’s high-end service offering.
The focus was on bringing new tournament partners on board and attracting new customers and young people. The golf academy was proving to be very popular and a full caddy master service was set up.
To support this trend, the clubhouse, pro shop and driving range were given a complete facelift under the supervision of Marie Delli-Zotti.
New buildings designed for fine dining, relaxation and accommodation were added to offer an experience that surpassed golf and promoted excellence. Golf and Gastronomy and Golf and Relaxation packages were introduced for golfers seeking a unique experience.
Five suites were created above the clubhouse to host visiting golfers and offer accommodation during golf clinics. Le Daya Spa is a welcoming space where you can relax and reconnect with the essentials at any time. La Table de Louis, the resort’s restaurant, offers gourmet cuisine you can enjoy alone or share with family and friends.
The Delli-Zotti family was determined that the site would offer visitors an unparalleled experience. To this end, they decided to entrust another family – well known in the high-end golf world – with developing the golf course.
Takeover of the golf club by Resonance Golf Collection
Golf de Roquebrune joined the Resonance Golf Collection on 1 April 2022. It completes the collection of golf clubs in France and becomes the 13th club to be managed by the Boissonnas family.
As they share the same values of excellence, authenticity and environmental responsibility, it made perfect sense for the two families to join forces to bring out the full beauty of this 18-hole course.
The Delli-Zotti family
Managing the site is a real family affair. Founder of a group of companies in the construction industry, the father Gérard Delli-Zotti wanted to offer new tourism and wine activities to share this countryside with everyone, whether golfers or not. His wife Marie and two children Christelle and Jonathan are also involved in the various family businesses. The family spirit is clearly present in the way the site operates, instilling the values of hard work, community and love for the region.
The family is at the heart of every decision. This is clearly visible in the site’s old logo, which shows the family coat of arms. Originally a merchant family from Italy, the Delli-Zottis were awarded nobility titles in 1277.