This final was organized over 2 days following the Ryder Cup format with 2 groups of 8 golf courses; the Europe group formed with the golf courses located in the North of France, namely the golf courses of Ormesson, Alsace Golf Links, Yvelines, Ammerschwihr, Hardelot, Touquet, Bouleaux and Golf National and the group United States, represented by the golf courses of the South with La Grande Bastide, Moliets, La Sainte Baume, Nîmes Vacquerolles, Marseille La Salette, The Montgomerie Marrakech, Biarritz le Phare and Pont Royal.

The game formula, on the other hand, followed the same principle as that of the Ryder Cup with the 1st day, a match play in 4 balls best ball and the 2nd day, a match play in singles; therefore a total of 8 points to be won the first day and 16 the following day. The 2 captains, Christian Cévaër and Mélodie Bourdy were present to supervise and encourage the 2 groups, Christian with the EUROPE team and Mélodie with the USA team.

Saturday, October 22 - Day 1: 4-ball best ball match

If the fog was present this Saturday morning at the Golf National, the 16 teams benefited from 11:30 am and throughout the day of very pleasant weather conditions, without wind, and could appreciate the beauty of the site, the quality of the greens, fairways and many traps offered by this magnificent course of the Albatross, host of the Ryder Cup in 2018.

At the end of this first lap, Europe was leading 5 ½ to 2 ½ ahead of the United States.

4 precision competitions were also prepared to spice up this first day of competition; the results :

• Decayeux at hole 2: Christopher Jones from the Moliets golf course
• Henriot at hole 8: Francis Richert from Ammerschwihr golf course
• Balvenie at hole 11: Alexandre Frisou from the Yvelines golf course
• Garmin at Hole 16: Karl Schuler from the Hardelot golf course

After this first hotly disputed day, the gala dinner took place at the golf club house, the players and their guests were able to appreciate the delicate cuisine of the chef at the Novotel Saint Quentin where they stayed. On the menu: scallop skewer, veal fillet full-bodied jus and celery mousseline, assortment of AOC cheese and crispy chocolate shortbread. Great atmosphere, lots of fun, laughter and great shots with the players, the captains and the Ryder Cup trophy!

Sunday 23 October - Day 2: singles match play

After a well-deserved good night, the teams found themselves for the 2nd round where the USA team had to come back strong to win the 2016 edition of the En route trophy for 2018. The weather conditions had changed with cooler temperatures, wind and from the sun. Before starting the scheduled games from 11:40 am, Christian and Mélodie organized a demonstration at the practice to the delight of the participants.

The games were fierce and despite the rain which started at 16 p.m., some teams fought to the end to get 1 point or share on the 18th hole. The efforts of their captain Mélodie Bourdy were not enough for the USA team to reverse the trend, bringing back only 7 ½ points against 8 ½ points for Europe. In the end, the EUROPE team won with a total of 14 points against 10 points for the United States!

3 precision competitions were organized during this day; the results :

• Henriot at hole 2: Philippe Testi from Golf de Biarritz
• Decayeux at hole 8: Thierry Dujardin from Golf du Touquet
• Garmin at hole 11: Romain Lopez from Golf d'Ormesson

No precision contest had been organized at hole 16 because several teams had finished their match just before, but Alexandre Frisou (index of 3,3) from the Golf des Yvelines and who had already won one of the precision contests yesterday, achieved a feat on hole 16: a hole in 1 with a superb 8 iron shot! To celebrate his first hole in 1, Alexandre was rewarded as he should with a magnum of Henriot champagne.

It was in a very friendly atmosphere that the prize-giving took place in the reception hall of the Golf National where each member of the European team received their trophy as well as gifts offered by the partners of Open Golf Club; the USA team was also rewarded.

Several draws were also organized:

• 1 year subscription to the Club du Figaro formula: Charlotte Gardella from the Montgomerie Marrakech golf course
• 1 stay at Domaine des Remparts in Marrakech: Didier Becq du golf d'Hardelot
• 1 bottle of Balvenie: Thuan Le from the Sainte Baume golf course
• 1 Titleist cap and 12 Titleist Gras Savoye Berger Simon balls: Raphael Billat from golf de Moliets and Servane Augier from golf du Touquet

And to close these 2 days of sport and friendship, a champagne cocktail had been prepared and everyone left with lots of memorable memories and a goal for 2017: to succeed in qualifying for the 2017 edition of the On the road trophy for 2018.

To know more : opengolfclub.com