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PROGRAMMEPACO2018

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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.

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