Denis Fabre - President of the ADGF and director of the Saint-Cloud golf course

Hello Denis, I guess, like everyone, you are confined to your home right now ...

Yes, but I am locked in 75 hectares of greenery because I am lucky enough to stay at the Saint-Cloud golf course. With my assistant, we also make sure that there is a presence at the club house, we alternate half a day each. The rest of the time, I telecommute.

How was the closure of the golf courses decided last weekend?

To be honest, there was a period of uncertainty. After the Prime Minister's intervention on Saturday evening, which indicated the closure of public places, we immediately closed the golf course in Saint-Cloud. But there was also a problem with the interpretation of the guidelines. Many managers felt that the players could be left on the courses, because the Official Journal did not mention the sports facilities not covered. A new decree published Monday morning in the Official Journal cleared the ambiguity and mentioned all sports facilities.

So this decision to close the golf courses was not the subject of a consensus from the outset?

No and that can be understood, because the bill will be steep for golf courses. We have fallen from Charybdis to Scylla. First, we all took a hit to the head when we had to cancel competitions. Then the clubs had to be closed. And finally, the clubs and the courses. The start of the year was already complicated for many golf courses due to the weather. And now that the weather is nice, we must close. We were only able to record the presence of a few gardeners, so that they can continue to maintain the courses.

Isn't there an inconsistency in allowing people to take public transport or jogging and prohibiting them from playing golf in the middle of nature?

The President of the Republic spoke of "war" last week. It is a collective effort that we ask of everyone, we must all have the same cohesion. We cannot expose the golf staff either. Last Saturday, when people knew they were going to be confined for several weeks, I have never seen so many people on the Saint-Cloud golf course. Sunday at La Boulie, which was still open, they also had a crazy crowd, just like the parks and gardens elsewhere. Nothing should be done to encourage gatherings.

Across the Channel, golf is still played and the English Federation is openly delighted. *

This is true, but also dictating a lot of constraints: you have to change in the car parks, stay at least two meters from your playing partner, no longer remove the flag, limit cash payments, increase the number of bottles of hydroalcoholic gel available ... Given the evolution of the situation, the English could soon change their mind. Their Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is also starting to take stricter measures.

"The bill is going to be salty," you explained a few moments ago. How long can golf courses last like this?

This is obviously on a case-by-case basis. Associative golf courses have more ease, thanks to the contributions paid to them by members. Golf networks have the financial capacity to hold out normally. The most fragile are the commercial golf courses. Will the banks help them once the crisis is over, that is the question. As president of the ADGF, I asked all the directors to tell me about the problems, especially financial ones, which they will have to face. We will be by their side. Today we are facing a major health crisis. The priority is first to save our skin, then it will be a question of saving our structures. The President has said that he will not leave anyone behind, I hope that will be verified. We can consider a system of staggering or deferral of social charges and taxes, a simplification of administrative procedures, etc.

Once the confinement is lifted, how long will it take for the golf courses to be able to welcome players again?

The next day, we can a priori welcome the players, even if the courses will not be in optimal conditions. It will take at least 2-3 days to recover a good quality of course. For catering, it's the same, it will take 2-3 days to place orders, set up replenishment ...

One last question, just to conclude on a more positive note. Saint-Cloud golf has seen the birth of some of the best French players, such as Perrine Delacour, Joanna Klatten, Valentine Derrey or Manon Mollé. Is it a source of pride for you, as a director?

It is a source of pride for me, as a director, but also for all the members of Saint-Cloud. We have a natural female subsidiary and we are delighted as soon as our players perform, as was the case recently on the LPGA for Perrine Delacour, who was an intern with us.

Interview by Franck Crudo

*https://www.englandgolf.org/clubs-golfers-covid-19/

https://www.adgf.org/fr/a-propos.html