Title partner of the tournament since 2011, Lacoste renews its commitment alongside the Women's French Open for a new cycle, and takes this historic event of the Ladies European Tour (LET), the European professional circuit to which it has been registered since its birth in 1987.

Lacoste Ladies Open de France: A new chapter

©Lucile Loisel/ASO

This 32nd edition of the Lacoste Ladies Open de France marks the opening of a new chapter, with the discovery of an iconic destination: Deauville, and its famous Golf Barrière. The Diane Barrière course, a par 71 of 5 meters opened in 648 and designed by the great English architect Tom Simpson, thus reconnects with professional golf after having welcomed men (Open de France 1929 and 1931) and women in the past. (Air France Madame Open 56 and 1997).

The 108 best players of the LET will try to succeed defending champion Céline Boutier – French No. 1 and current 17th in the world, the highest ranking for a Tricolore in the history of the game – and have their names engraved on the tournament trophy , to join some of the greatest champions of women's golf, like the American Nelly Korda, gold medalist at the last Olympic Games, who won the event in 2019. At stake: a record prize pool of 325 euros.

The Lacoste Ladies Open de France also innovates by organizing an alliance during the first two rounds. On Thursday 15 and Friday 16 September, 36 amateurs will have the privilege of experiencing a professional tournament from the inside, as close as possible to the players, each sharing their game with three of them.

The tournament renews its support for the proettes, who have not been spared by the health crisis, and will offer them accommodation on site, within the Hôtel du Golf, a prestigious 4-star hotel of the Barrière group.

This "augmented" Lacoste Ladies Open de France aims to create connections between cultures and communities, and in this respect has a new visual identity, created by the artist Marie Pressmar. Thus, this 32nd edition will be placed under the sign of art, by exhibiting on the site of the tournament works collected by the artistic director Jérémie Nassir. The objective is to allow golf enthusiasts to admire exceptional creations, and to encourage a new public to come to the course to discover them… and golf at the same time.

In the same spirit, the city of Deauville will organize on the Planches, the iconic seaside promenade, a photo exhibition presenting famous film actresses, clubs in hand; a symbolic link between the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and the famous American Film Festival, which will be held in Deauville the previous week. In addition, a giant putting green will be installed on the beach, in front of the Bar du Soleil, to allow everyone to learn about the little white ball.

Axel Carrée, sports marketing director at Lacoste, says: “Lacoste's mission is to be the most inspiring brand in fashion sport, and to connect the cultures of the different universes in which we are present. In golf, our desire is to inspire new generations of players, and generally to make this sport more accessible. Through the multiple activations set up this year around the theme of art, we intend to make the Lacoste Ladies Open de France a brand, fashion event, in addition to a high-level sporting event. »

Jean-Baptiste Durier, Tournament Director for promoter ASO, says: “We are very happy with the opening of this new chapter of the tournament, and are impatient to see the champions express themselves in an iconic destination. We warmly thank Lacoste for its renewed support for the tournament over the next few years, and its ambition to bring it to a new dimension by offering an experience that goes beyond golf. A very big thank you also to our major partners, Richard Mille and Abeille Assurances, as well as to our entire family of partners – within which we are delighted to welcome the Barrière group and the Taittinger champagne house – who allow the holding of this very beautiful event. Finally, we particularly thank the city of Deauville and its mayor Philippe Augier, for their dynamic and enthusiastic commitment alongside us. »

Philippe Augier, Mayor of Deauville, says: “Our territory is rather spoiled in terms of golf equipment, with of course the Golf Barrière Deauville but also four or five other courses within a radius of a few kilometres. It is therefore a fairly strong element of attractiveness both from an economic and sporting point of view. We were missing a competition of an international dimension, and the Lacoste Ladies Open de France meets this expectation. We can only be delighted that the organizers and main sponsors wanted to stop by us: they will not only find quality golf and exceptional accommodation, but also the friendly and easy character of a very small town. Deauville hosts sporting, cultural, economic and political events all year round, so there is real know-how in this area, and I am sure that this 2022 edition will be a great success. »

Frédéric Bessonneaud, director of golf and the Hôtel Barrière Deauville, says: “Host an event such as the Lacoste Ladies Open de France rewards the work carried out over the years to improve the quality of our course. Soon to be a century old, Golf Barrière Deauville is a place rich in history and tradition that embodies a certain French elegance. Our great asset being to have a 4-star hotel with 170 rooms a few meters from the start of hole n° 1, we are delighted to be able to welcome all the players at the golf hotel, in the conditions of excellence that make Barrière's reputation in France and abroad. »

To know more : https://www.opendefrancefeminin.fr/

To read our last article on the same subject :

Head for Deauville for the Lacoste Ladies Open de France