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Dear Golf Friends,<br />
As a starter, I wish to congratulate wholeheartedly<br />
Christophe Cantegrel and his team for having<br />
established and managed since the spring<br />
of 1994 the Pro Am International de la Côte<br />
d’Opale.<br />
This longevity underscores the ties between<br />
the competition and the expectations of<br />
numerous professional and amateur golfers:<br />
sportsmanship, friendship, quality of life… The<br />
event’s format and a thousand small details have<br />
shaped its success. A break to the Côte d’Opale<br />
early in the season is always a great delight<br />
shared by all of us.<br />
Finally, 2018 is the Ryder Cup year at Golf<br />
National near Paris. From 25 to 30 September,<br />
the twelve best European players will challenge<br />
the twelve best Americans in most exciting match<br />
play formulas, shrouded in an ambiance akin to<br />
that of a football stadium. It is the first time since<br />
Valderrama in 1997 that the Ryder Cup is played<br />
on the continent. It underlines how well France<br />
has gained its credentials to host such high level<br />
events.<br />
In the meantime, I wish you all an excellent 25th<br />
Pro Am.<br />
Last year, I mentioned the alterations to the Golf<br />
des Dunes at Hardelot. Now, the clubhouse and<br />
the course have completed their renovations and<br />
it is an honour to welcome the Pro Am there this<br />
year. I am convinced that you will be astonished<br />
by its layout redesigned by our architect Jean-<br />
Claude Cornillot.<br />
At Le Touquet, the news is unfortunately sad.<br />
Most of you have certainly learnt of the sudden<br />
death of Gilles Grattepanche last September.<br />
Gilles had spent his entire career within our<br />
family group, first in the ski resort of Flaine,<br />
then at Golf de la Sainte-Baume before joining<br />
Le Touquet in 1992 where he became General<br />
Manager. A solemn tribute was paid to him at<br />
the clubhouse in November.<br />
To succeed him, it is most naturally that Charles<br />
Debruyne and Marie-Laure Gill took over<br />
respectively the full management of the Golf<br />
and the Manoir Hotel. Both have the experience<br />
and the skills necessary to assume their new<br />
responsibilities.<br />
Separately, we have the pleasure to announce<br />
that Open Golf Club was awarded from April<br />
1st the operation of Golf de Seignosse. This<br />
most attractive venue is set in the magnificent<br />
environment of les Landes in southwest France,<br />
close to Hossegor and 35 minutes from Biarritz.<br />
Its plan was drawn by architect Robert von<br />
Hagge, the author of over 250 prestigious<br />
courses worldwide. Golf de Seignosse is at the<br />
heart of a premium touristic destination boasting<br />
several Open Golf Club partners.