To this end, a competition - now essential - is organized every year in the town of Sailly, in the Yvelines. The principle: a four-way scramble with, in each team, a personality from the world of sport, entertainment or the media. Success requires, more than 200 golfers are expected that morning on the two courses - west and east - of the Priory.

At the entrance, the organization is perfectly oiled. Hostesses tell you where to park, to optimize space. It almost feels like the parking lot of the British Open, the sun extra. I am greeted by Nathalie Innocentini, vice-president of the Balles Blanches, who welcomes the summer weather. It must be said that for the first time in two centuries in the Paris region, it is not raining (I had a grandmother from Marseille). For a little, we would even be too hot!

A convoy of large black cars suddenly appeared, escorted by two police motorcyclists. An Ile-de-France version of “House of Cards”. With a zest of "Louis la Brocante" however, because a white Clio has become encrusted in the procession. Suddenly, it does it a little less. For a brief moment, I still wonder if Barack Obama or François Hollande are not giving us a surprise visit. In fact, it is Victor Dubuisson, who is participating in the event for the first time. Relaxed and smiling, the French n ° 1 lends itself with good grace to the many requests and requests for photos of which he is the subject. Another big name in French golf is also present at Balles Blanches for the first time: Thomas Levet. The old and the new French number 1 at the Prieuré golf course: the competition promises to be tough, but it looks good!

12 p.m. The personalities taking part in the celebration are announced and go up one by one on the platform in alphabetical order. Among them, many sportsmen and in particular former glories of football. The only thing missing is Jacques Laffite, apparently the victim at the wheel of his Ligier of a false start, a puncture or a lack of gasoline. A choice.

The hospitalized children are very loyal to the meeting, especially since they are the real stars of the day. Throughout the afternoon, during the golf tournament, activities will be offered to them: magic tricks, clowning, small boxing fights for fun chaired by the world boxing champion Gaëlle Amand, dog sled rides or even water games in firefighter's outfit… No time to get bored!

13:30 p.m. The competition will begin. I get to know my teammates. Benjamin (Decayeux) is the associate director of the brand that bears his name. An industrial subcontractor in luxury leather goods, this century-old company started playing golf three years ago and provides part of the tournament's endowment and gifts. Paul (Fitussi) organizes the Salon du Golf, Porte de Versailles, every year.

Bad news: due to a last minute withdrawal, a player is missing from our team. At three instead of four, it will be much more difficult to aim for the podium in a scramble where each time you choose the best ball. Good news: my teammates, in addition to being nice and warm, play better than their double-digit index. After four holes, we even find ourselves at the top of the (imaginary) leaderboard with already three birdies in our purse. Paul sends ballistic missiles to the drive. Benjamin plants some flags with his left-handed irons. As for me, it happens - occasionally - to return a putt à la Jean-Claude Dusse. In other words, on a misunderstanding, it sometimes passes….

15 p.m. Small lunch break of about fifteen minutes. I find myself sitting at a table with Paul and ex-footballer Eric Roy talking about poker. The subject of the existential debate that occupies us: what is a pair of post-flop aces worth against four opponents?

17:02 p.m. I put in a putt for birdie à la Jean-Claude Dusse and Paul congratulated me with a fist against fist - a fist pump for bilinguals - particularly manly which almost dislocates me a phalanx. At -5 two-thirds of the way, I don't have the right to abandon my partners and modestly camouflage my pain.

19 p.m. End of game for a card of 65 (-7) of good quality which makes us finish in 7th place in the net ranking. Certainly two or three commas deprived us of some additional birdies. But hey, with ifs, we would all win the Masters D'augusta. And above all, at Les Balles Blanches more than elsewhere, the main thing is to participate.

19:30 p.m. I exchange a few words with Thomas Levet, obviously delighted to come to the Balles Blanches for the first time. “I have only had positive feedback on this event and on the association. As this year, I have more time, I came with pleasure. "The winner of the 2004 Ryder Cup and the 2011 French Open also knows the Priory golf course very well:" It was here that I played my first pro tournament, during the under 25 world championships . I even remember the exact date: September 20, 1988! "

I meet Jérôme Alonzo (index 6), loyal “honorary sponsor” of the Balles Blanches since the 2nd edition and satisfied with his golfing afternoon: “We played -11 with my team (notably composed of Laurent Blanc and Antoine Kombouaré ) ". The former PSG goalkeeper is unaware that the victory is played at -12. But he's a real golf fan: “I discovered this sport twenty years ago. I play it two to four times a week. For years, with friends, we even rented a house at the start of hole n ° 11 in Spône, in Corsica. Great memories… ”He also remembers his first White Balls. “The first year, I was in a hurry. But I had a great day, I made friends with Eric (Duquenne) and I immediately wanted to get involved in the association. I have even created my own Balles Blanches for three years, at the golf course of Mougins. "

A few steps away from us, Laurent Blanc talks with Alain Boghossian. The desire titillates me to ask him why he started Cavani and Aurier instead of Lucas and Marquinhos against Manchester City. But a little inner voice tells me that now is not the time. So I approach Philippe Candeloro (index 27), one of the coolest and most natural men in the world. “I have been participating in the Balles Blanches from the start. It's a long story with Eric, who helps children a lot thanks to his know-how, his network and his kindness. "

Happy with your day Philippe otherwise? We played 5:30 am under the sun, while I have known editions where we spent 7 hours in the rain. So obviously, it's better. I was in the team of the wife of the President of the Priory (Philippe Courbier) and we finished at -3. But you know, I only play 15-20 times a year and never practice. I still have some headroom before I hit the ball like Tiger. "

20:30 p.m. It's time for the awards ceremony. Many gifts are offered, including a stay in a luxury hotel in the Seychelles. Former Saint-Etienne footballer Christian Lopez offers a jersey from the great era of the Greens, autographed by all the finalist players of the European Cup in 1976. During this time, Jean-Louis Calmejane, who was one of the voices of the rugby in Stade 2, confesses to me that he managed a hole in one during the Balles Blanches, three years ago: “I was accompanied in my team by two charming ladies, who kept talking to me about rugby . Maybe they thought they were making me happy, but that was almost their only topic of conversation with me. We arrive on hole n ° 11 of the west course. I hit a blow of wood 7 and there, while the ball is still in the air, one of my partners throws me that she knows Denis Charvet well. I tell him that I do too, since we even commented on matches together. Suddenly, we lose sight of the ball. We looked around the green for nearly five minutes… before realizing that it was in the hole! "

Patrice Carmouze climbs onto the platform to host an auction. The famous friend of Dechavanne was known on TV for his clumsiness and his inability to operate the gadgets he presented. A sort of poor man's McGyver. Suddenly, it's almost too big to be true, the microphone breaks down. Time to repair it, Patrice Carmouze is auctioning off the bag used by Victor Dubuisson at the Masters, as well as one of his putters.

A woman in the audience: "Is money for children?" "

Patrice Carmouze: “Yes, it's not for Victor! (Laughs)

21:30 p.m. Time to eat around a sumptuous buffet. I prowl, undecided, around macaroons, éclairs and waffles. I know myself by heart and know full well that if I have the misfortune to start, I will not stop… I think of Oscar Wilde's advice: "the best way to resist temptation is to give in. Oscar's argument finally convinces me.

I will warmly congratulate Eric Duquenne and ask him for what reasons we cannot make a donation on the Balles Blanches site. He tells me that it is under study and explains to me how the association he runs with Nathalie works. They canvass hospitals to find out their needs and know how to improve the daily lives of children. This can, for example, range from fitting out a bedroom with a shower room to purchasing a vehicle.

22:15 p.m. I leave the premises and am blocked by a car leaving the parking lot. The driver desperately tries to activate the code to raise the barrier. As he has stopped his vehicle a little too far from the digital code, he has to twist himself through his window. After two minutes, Patrice Carmouze finally decides to get out of his Lexus to tap the code.

22:17 p.m .: The barrier opens. In the distance, the party continues and a DJ sets the mood. What is unfortunate about days like these is that there is only one per year ...

Frank Crudo

To know more :
http://lesballesblanches.com/

The video of the White Balls day:
https://www.facebook.com/lesballesblanches/videos/1061771110542840/