Jean-Lou Charon President of the French Golf Federation and Christophe Muniesa the Managing Director - © Swing-feminin.com

Dear Golfers, Dear Golfers,

In these difficult times, we hope that you and your loved ones are doing well.

We know that this is a difficult time for everyone and we would first like to thank on your behalf, the caregivers who are on the front line every day to care for the sick. Their task is dangerous, difficult and we all admire their dedication. It is also an opportunity for us to send a friendly message of support to the numerous associations of companies affiliated to ffgolf which bring together health personnel. Our gratitude also goes to all the personnel of the trade, the security forces, transport, firefighters who ensure with solidarity our daily life.

Many of you are wondering, asking us when you can play golf again; when will your clubs be able to welcome you again?

During this confinement period, the clubs all remain mobilized.

The teams of gardeners, in particular, are working to continue to maintain the grounds and make sure that everything is ready for this reopening. May they be warmly thanked.

We are in permanent contact with your clubs, thanks to our Club Relations & Development Department, with your Leagues and Departmental Committees, to assist them in this difficult period, both in terms of course maintenance, with AGREF which remains in contact with the field teams, only on an HR and legal level.

We communicate daily with all of the clubs affiliated with ffgolf, providing them with the latest regulatory information in real time. We also hired the services of specialized consulting firms to support them in their administrative procedures.

We are conducting, through the sending of a questionnaire which will be sent to all clubs very soon, a survey, in order to assess the impact of this crisis by collecting the relevant information making it possible to make legible for the authorities, the effects particularly negative economic trends of the period, on the activities of the entire industry.

On the basis of this information, as we have already done on several occasions since the start of confinement, we will continue to vigorously defend the interests of the sector with our institutions.

It also seems to us to be particularly important to remind everyone of the need to show solidarity with clubs, which are facing an unprecedented period with important consequences for the sustainability of their structures. This is the spirit of the campaign developed on the federal media with the title "I love golf - all in solidarity - I support my club", which was relayed by many media in the golf sphere. We thank them warmly.

Of course, we are fully aware of the challenges for the entire sector, clubs, equipment manufacturers, retailers, chains, etc., and are in constant contact by all possible means with our regulatory authorities so that the golf sector as a whole is fully identified, be it strict golfing activities, events, equipment sales, hotels as well as catering, teaching, or more generally tourist activities.

This is why, from the start of the crisis, we wrote to the Minister of Finance to remind him of the economic weight of the golf industry. We have mobilized and acted on our various administrative, parliamentary and more generally political contacts, so that this awareness is real and fully understood. Our message has been well received.

These actions must be carried out in calm and serenity. Here we would like to salute the quality of the work undertaken by associating the Presidents of GFGA, GEGF, ADGF, AGREF and PGA France with it.

It is by demonstrating to the public authorities that we are a united, responsible and united sector that we will be able to make our arguments heard for the benefit of the resumption of our activities. Our initiatives must be carried out while ensuring the involvement of the various stakeholders and the various Ministries (Sport, Interior, Health, etc.), without forgetting the French National Olympic and Sports Committee. It is not by vociferating, or by making the golfer appear as a selfish or capricious being that we will be heard and that we will succeed in achieving our objectives. If necessary, going far beyond the scope of federal activities, it is indeed the entire sector that we would run a great risk, both in the short and medium term. We have to be determined, but just as responsible and patient.

For now, public health issues are too predominant, and confinement as specified by the President of the Republic is extended as is until May 11. The decree issued by the Prime Minister on April 14 is very specific on this subject. It extends until May 11, the provisions of the previous decrees published in the Official Journal on March 15 and 16, regarding confinement.

The next step will be the publication of a new decree within 15 days which will “frame” progressive deconfinement measures.

During this period, and always keeping in mind that, of course golf is an individual sport, but played by responsible and united people, we will act with strength and conviction so that our discipline can be practiced again as soon as the context sanitary and regulatory will allow it.

These actions are carried out in concert with the government, ministries and the sports movement with the aforementioned French golf groups.

We have also taken many complementary steps, in connection with other sports, so that our action is stronger and that it has a better chance of success. We cannot win this fight alone.

Our goal is to clearly demonstrate that with barrier gestures that are easily applicable by everyone, it is possible to play golf without exposing yourself or exposing others to the risk of contamination. Some countries in the world, among the least affected by this virus, have already started to deconfinate or will do so in the coming days. The practice of golf resumes gradually and in a very supervised way in these countries which were more spared than France by this epidemic. Working in close collaboration with these countries (Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, etc.), we have already acquired the elements necessary to make the practice of golf possible while respecting social distancing measures and the application of “barrier gestures”. "

May 11th may be the start of a progressive deconfinement, know that we are 100% mobilized, from 1 to 18, from tee to green, without forgetting to enter the final putt, so that you can all as soon as find your favorite courses and finally play golf again!

Our teams work tirelessly, in permanent contact with the various professional groups, to achieve this objective. It is a collective and united effort that has been asked of us so far, we are confident and hope to find you very soon on the courses.

Best regards to all of you,
Jean-Lou Charon (President) and Christophe Muniesa (Managing Director)

To know more : https://www.ffgolf.org/