Can you tell us about the new orientations of the National Golf?

We are incredibly fortunate to welcome the 2018 Ryder Cup, the most watched golf event in the world. For a long time, national golf was considered to be federal equipment, the owner of which was the French Golf Federation. As such, it should not necessarily be highlighted in order not to compete with the other French golf courses which supply the largest contingents of licensees to the FFG. In each activity, there must be leaders and I think that the vocation of the National Golf is to be clearly this model in an industry that so badly needs to professionalize and project itself into the future.

Paul Armitage, Director of Golf National - Photo: DR

How are you preparing for hosting the Ryder Cup in 2018?

From July 2015, we will start work on the course of the Albatross. We will focus on irrigation, drainage and earthworks to accommodate thousands of square meters of television and media platforms. All this for a budget of around € 7 million in public tender. The works are funded to the tune of 5 million by subsidies from the State and public authorities. The remaining 2 million comes from own funds within the framework of the organization of the Ryder Cup. Finally, there is a part which is taken care of by the National Golf Federation.

How long will the work take?

The Albatross will close for 9 months in its entirety from July 15, 2015 to April 30, 2016. We hope to open on 1^er December 2015 the nine holes of the Albatros for our subscribers and our most loyal customers. The routes of the Oiselet and the Eagle will be optimized. Clearly, the 27 holes will remain open for the duration of the work in normal configuration. We are also open to the pro shop, practice and the academy.

How many people do you expect on National Golf during the Ryder Cup?

For the moment, the question is not quite decided yet, but we envisage 45 to 50 spectators per day. Brigitte Deydier the general manager of the Ryder Cup 000 would even like to go up to 2018 people.

How do the champions view the National Golf?

Since its creation, players have unanimously approved the National Golf and its prestigious course the Albatross. This is also one of the main reasons for France's candidacy in 2011. 25 years ago when Hubert Chesneau, the architect, designed the national golf course, he certainly had the idea of ​​hosting one day a competition of international stature. The idea was to create a show golf course, a stadium golf course, which could host an event of such magnitude in the Paris region. For example, we don't pay players when they come to the Alstom Open de France. What attracts them each year is the quality of the course and the greens. It should be noted that for the past 2 years we have had a new superintendent, a 32-year-old Spanish boy, Alejandro Reyes, who is doing a lot of work.

What are your plans for the post Ryder Cup?

The Ryder Cup is a given today, but we don't see it as an end in itself. First of all, it is a great opportunity for the future. The first step was to get to the highest international level. This is what we are building. The great American, Asian or European champions will naturally want to test the Ryder Cup route and we will do everything to highlight our French touch which differentiates us from Celtic Manor or Valderrama. We are preparing to welcome the elite of world golf while respecting the local market for the Albatross, the Eagle and the Bird. In this sense, we must differentiate between the courses: l'Oiselet, the 9-hole two-hour course, academic, perfect for learning golf, the Eagle, a balanced and high-quality course and the Albatross, our benchmark course. ultra technical on which 30 gardeners work year round. After the event, we will have to capitalize on these new infrastructures and this heritage. Our ambition is to become the model of the French market for the next 20 years.

Interview by David Raynal

To find out more about the National Golf: www.golf-national.com