At least the first two days, which took place under a summer sun, a windy drizzle accompanying the 380 participants during the last morning. Pleonasm, because a Pro Am of the Opal Coast without wind, it would be a bit like The British Open without the rain, the US Open without its roughs or Miguel Angel Jimenez without his cigar… something would be missing.

Four links (including three hundred years old) considered to be among the most beautiful in France awaited for the occasion firmly the 95 teams made up of a pro and three amateurs. Sign of the success of this event created in 1994 and now well anchored in the French and even European calendar. “The first year, there were 35 teams at the start. From now on, we regularly flirt with the hundred ", underlines Christophe Cantegrel, the creator and the organizer of Pro Am for twenty-one years.

Many French obviously, but also English and players from Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) have therefore rubbed 72 holes, most of them perfectly manicured. Starting with the magnificent (really!) Golf course of Le Touquet and its course of the Sea, theater of the victory of the legendary Severiano Ballesteros at the 1977 French Open. Or the more forest Belle-Dune in the bay of Somme, populated deer and integrated into the most beautiful dune massif in Europe. Without forgetting the most northerly Wimereux, a true Scottish links: probably the least difficult of the four courses offered when the wind is not the game ... which was not the case this week. Which is apparently never the case anyway… The English coasts are visible on a clear day, the ducks walk on your line of putt and bunkers dating from the Second World War protect some holes. Unique!

We just regret that Hardelot, even though considered one of the most beautiful golfing sites in Europe, was not up to the level of the other three for the occasion. A riquiqui practice prohibits the use of the driver, which is always annoying, especially when you start with a par 5. Especially, the recently cored greens were more reminiscent of those of a compact from the Paris region and have seriously suffered from the comparison with the other three routes.

The Pro Am, in the cumulative gross classification, was finally won by the quartet composed of Pro Alvin Pivaty and amateurs Laurent Montagnier (index 16), Jonathan Marouani (index 8) and François Benard (index 19). On each hole, only the two best scores of the team were counted, with sometimes a blow returned according to the index of the player.

Proof that the courses were perfectly defended, only 5 pro players returned a cumulative score below par. In this game, Fabien Marty did the best with a cumulative score of -8. Aged 31, he has been able to count on a powerful and precise driving style, his strengths according to him. He was ahead in the order Raphaël Ayraud (39 years old, 15^e of the Madeira Open in 2008) at -6, Benjamin Nicolay (43, 64^e of the French Open in 2007) at -3, Léo Lespinasse (20 years old, youngest and youngest French champion) at -2 and finally at -1 Benoît Teilleria (42 years old, 5^e of L'open d'Italie 2006), one of the biggest winners on the Opal Coast.

Every evening, a prize-giving took place at the Palais des Congrès in Le Touquet and rewarded the winning teams on each golf course (gross and net ranking). We were able to see the former tennis champion Cédric Pioline climb on the podium with his team on Friday. Various competitions were also organized daily, such as the longest drive at Le Touquet or the ball closest to the flag on the other courses. A Mirus trolley worth 5500 euros was even offered to anyone who would plant a hole in 1 on n ° 6 du Touquet, and a stay in La Manga (Spain) offered to anyone who would do the same. at n ° 12 de Belle Dune. But the wind, bad luck, even the clumsiness of the players decided otherwise ...

Every evening, a draw allowed a lucky guy to win a stay in a beautiful hotel in Mauritius, Reunion, Morocco or even Spain.

In addition to the many prizes and gifts offered, these four evenings each time allowed all participants to meet in a friendly atmosphere between petits fours, unlimited drinks, chocolates and golf stands. A tasting of a local specialty was even offered on Friday evening. The opportunity (or never?) To test, among others, the famous cake with… nettles. If so, it seems that it is edible!

Frank Crudo