1927: the Mousquetaires saga begins. That year, the best tennis player in the world, René Lacoste, won the first French Davis Cup with his compatriots Brugnon, Borotra and Cochet. The one we already nicknamed the "Crocodile" also won the Internationals of France and the United States.

To better withstand the heat on the courts, René Lacoste decided shortly after to make his own shirts. And already sports a reproduction of a crocodile on his blazers, designed by his friend René George. In 1933, the legendary Lacoste polo shirt, the “L1212”, was born in pique jersey and pearly buttons. For the first time in the history of fashion, a logo adorns a marketed garment. The first advertising posters extolling the merits of the Lacoste shirt (1933) read: “For tennis, golf, the beach…”.

1927: Simone Thion de la Chaume, 18, becomes the first tricolor golfer to win the British Ladies, the most prestigious event on the international women's calendar. Meanwhile, in the Basque Country, his father, René Thion de la Chaume fulfills an old dream: to create his own golf club. Having acquired several agricultural land, he entrusted the renowned British architect Harry S. Colt with the task of drawing him a championship course in the ancient forest of Fagosse, near Saint-Jean-de-Luz, at the foot of the Rhune.

Interviews conducted during the French Open 2013

Massy, ​​Garaialde father and son, Pascassio On November 1, 1928, the famous Arnaud Massy - the only French winner of the British Open in 1907 - inaugurated the Chantaco course with the Boomer brothers (Aubrey and Percy) and Jean Gassiat. Massy will officiate two years as a professional at Chantaco, and will hire Raymond Garaialde (Jean's father) at his side. His difficult character having apparently closed several club doors to him, Arnaud Massy accepts the drastic conditions imposed by Chantaco: receiving no salary from the club, the price of his lessons cannot exceed fifty francs, and he does not have the right to give orders to other pros or manage the store ...

From 1930, the year of her union with René Lacoste, Simone Thion de la Chaume presided over the destinies of Chantaco and innovated by opening free access to the field for young Basque cadets. The club quickly became a breeding ground for young hopefuls and will offer French golf some of its most renowned champions: Jean Garaialde, Bernard Pascassio, Michel Tapia or Sandrine Mendiburu.

From "Crocodile Kid" to "Grande Catherine"

Catherine Lacoste US Open 1967 - Photo: DR Lacoste archives

Despite her victory at the World Championships on the fairways of Saint-Germain in 1964, it was in June 1967, exactly forty years after the exploits of her parents, that Catherine Lacoste really made a name for herself by dominating the best professional players in the world. at the American Women's Open, held in Hot Springs (Virginia). The news is like a bombshell in the world of golf.

"Crocodile Kid", a nickname by which Catherine Lacoste was decked out across the Atlantic, "made the front page" of Figaro and the cover of the monthly Golf World. In 1969, "Crocodile Kid" gave way to "the great Catherine" who fulfilled the dream of her life by inscribing, like her mother, her name on the British Ladies' trophy at the Royal Portrush (Northern Ireland). Two months later, she won again in the United States, this time during the American amateur championship, in Texas, thus completing a female slam (US Open-US Amateur-British Ladies) only realized before her by Louise Suggs and the amazing Babe Zaharias.

Catherine Lacoste has always said that she finally started to exist by herself the day after her victory at the American Open. For proof this anecdote that loved to tell his father Crocodile: on his arrival in New York, a few days before the US Open, a customs officer asked Catherine if she was the daughter of the former tennis champion. The following year, when René Lacoste accompanied his daughter to the United States, he was surprised to hear an immigration official ask him if he was the father of the golf champion.

Continuing the work of her mother, Catherine Lacoste chaired the Chantaco club for thirty-five years (1974-2009). Today another Lacoste, Camille, his niece, succeeded him. In view of its abundant history, it was quite logical that Chantaco, the cradle of the Lacoste family, will receive the 25th Women's French Open this fall. The Basque club thus once again confirms its status as a stronghold for French golf.

The cradle of French professional golf

One of the oldest courses in France, the Chantaco golf course received the French Open (men's) in 1970. Since its inauguration by Arnaud Massy in 1928, the Chantaco golf course has never ceased to welcome on its fairways the elite of enthusiasts of this sport, like the Prince of Wales, Charlie Chaplin, Ernest Hemingway… Encouraged by René Lacoste, more than 100 cadets and young people of the club have become professionals since its creation, providing French golf most of its renowned teachers and champions.

Hole N ° 3 - par 3 - 145 m. - Cut in a hedge of trees, this uphill par 3 is not difficult for its length but for the difficulty of its green sloping left / right.

At the foot of the Rhune

Patinated by eighty years of history, the Chantaco golf course offers breathtaking views of the Rhune, the mythical summit of the Atlantic Pyrenees. 5833 meters long for a par 70, this course designed in 1928 by Harry S. Collt is renowned for being technical and for the difficulty of its often sloping greens.

Directed by Stéphane Kerjean, and chaired by Véronique Smondack, daughter of Catherine Lacoste, Chantaco golf has always cultivated a sporting and family spirit that makes it all its charm. A charm that extends over the course which offers a slightly hilly walk in the middle of a wide variety of trees, including maritime pines and umbrella pines, but also cedars and several species of oak. The return, located in the plain, includes some water obstacles. An impression of nature and sweetness of life reigns there as do not fail to appreciate all the members and visitors who have the privilege of playing there or crossing its French gardens facing the entrance of the clubhouse .

A sporty and family spirit

Rather short, the Chantaco course is ill-suited to big hitters, it requires precision both in putting into play and around the greens. "It's an ideal course for women" comments its director. It is in any case an opinion shared by the players of the Lacoste Ladies Open of France who unanimously appreciated the technicality of its layout as well as the fervor of the public and the atmosphere of the club.

Nicolas jeanneau