Growth in FranceGolf is now growing in France

"There is no trophy Lancome in 2004", Philippe Martin, the President of the French golf Federation announced this week. That confirms Regis Brunet, Vice President, IMG France international, the organiser of the famous tournament, indicating that his group "ongoing restructuring" with the departure of Patrick Proisy, its President, "reflected in a 2005 Edition" on condition, however, find a sponsor that could replace the brand of cosmetics and invest at least EUR 10 million. "For us, the France Open remains the only international event in France." "This competition must take its rise," said the President of the FFGOLF who test, which the Organization has been entrusted the season passed to Amaury Sport Organization (dealing including the Tower of France) and which will be held from 24 to 27 June, must "get power".

An international appointment

It is not easy however, are concerned. "This event is not very known in the world, argues Gilles Jourdan, responsible for sports organisations in ASO." We are working on the long term to an unavoidable international appointment of golf. The five-year contract is renewable, knowing it takes ten years to establish a competition. "Test with a budget of EUR 5 million" is Jig by staffing the players, which will be of 3 million this year, adds the head. " But, it is the rule of the game. The goal is to have 4 million euros for the award in 2006, attracting great champions.

To avoid displaying as the year passed a deficit (about 350,000 euros), ASO on the arrival of new sponsors, the ticket of partnership trading from EUR 1 million. In addition to Accor and Perrier (partner title), the company General must announce his arrival for three years. "This partnership is part of the line than that it was already concluded with the FFGOLF aims to develop the sport for young people," says Thierry Dehesdin, Director of sponsorship and sponsorship to the Bank. The Organizer also relies on the broadcaster of the event (Canal ) to seduce the public. A sentence 20,000 spectators were identified on four days, in the last test, while British Open welcomes 50,000 people per day.

However, Philippe Martin announced that development work will be undertaken on the national Golf of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, where the event takes place. "We expect the release of the aid of local communities and the support of the Ministry of Sports through national sport development fund to start the work, probably in the summer." The investment amounts to EUR 9 million over two years. The avowed aim is to place a "genuine technical national Centre of golf", the equivalent of Clairefontaine for football or Marcoussis Agreement for the rugby.

Growth in France

Golf is now growing in France. "Walk to the rhythm of the 6 to 7 of additional licensees each year", reveals Georges Barbaret, Associate Vice-President, President of the League of Britain. Currently, the Federation counts more than 345,000 dismissed. "We should reach the 500,000 fired four to five years", provides for the head. The France would thus be at the level of the Germany and the Sweden, still far from England, who were players 878.000 in 2003. The current effort focuses on women (30 of licensees), young people with licenses at preferred rates and "development of departmental conventions" for the primary schools the Ministry of National Education and the FFGOLF.

If, in the course of the years 1980-1990, fashion was the construction of 18 hole course, today the reason has prevailed. "Local and private communities became more reasonable in their investments", recognizes the President.

Compact urban Greens

The Federation, in liaison with municipalities, has launched a program of development of urban Compact golf. "Thirty projects are underway," said Georges Barbaret. Is that to make progress in its development, the FFGOLF must find resources.

With a budget of 17 million, it enjoys a low grant from the public authorities (4 of its budget). "We are not an Olympic sport and must fend," complained Philippe Martin, who signed a contract with Havas sports, including granting him a mission to search for partners.

"Our four-year contract, which ends this year, has helped to build a genuine policy of marketing around the traditional OEM Lacoste and Renault vehicles, explains Gérard Zung, Deputy Director General of the subsidiary of the Havas group." The car manufacturer withdrawing at the end of the year, the FFGOLF will launch a call for tenders. "Negotiations are engaged with the General Society for the renewal of the contract, on the basis apparently of EUR 3 million over four years. Accor and Air France have also shown "interest" for the sport growing.