FIPPA Newsletter - April 2008.
Welcome to this edition of the FIPPA Newsletter.
CHRISTIAN AUZIERE - AFPP
ORGANISER SUPREME AT LA GRANDE MOTTE
To Christian Auziere (himself an International Open winner on the course) goes much of the credit for the annual La Grande Motte Open being considered one of the best organised events on the international tournament circuit. He explained to www.fippa.net how he plans and executes a major event of this nature.
Q1. How are preparations progressing for the La Grande Motte Open 2008?
We began preparing for the "2008 Challenge International" in September 2007. The Town Council, the club and the Novotel have been active partners in this preparation and have helped us find new sponsors. The greenkeeper and her team have worked hard throughout the winter and with the arrival of the spring weather, they are now putting in the final touches. The course is going to be in great condition. John Hudson has done his usual P.R. job and we now have over 120 players, including almost 100 non-French, from 11 different countries.
Q2. Why does the event attract some many foreign players - the most of all the International Opens?
I believe it's the players themselves that have given such a dimension to this event. With John, we have tried to listen to the players and to take their opinions into account so as to improve the quality of the competition each year. Of the 120 players, very few will be playing for the first time and this is probably the prime factor that contributes to its success – the players enjoy themselves so much, they want to come back. They do not have all that many opportunities to measure up in an international strokeplay event, so they pencil the date into their diaries well in advance. This year, 5 former champions will be lining up, but only one of them is going to win – unless it's yet another champion who raises the Cup. To date, no-one has ever won twice, although Alan Hanlon went close on two occasions.
The Town Council and the club have provided us with the means to transform the course into the "Goélands International Pitch & Putt Course", worthy of a field of this quality. The proximity and the involvement of our main partner, the Novotel, also means that the players can benefit from top class accommodation, on the course itself and at a reasonable price.
Q3. What are the key elements of hosting a successful international open?
A good, motivated team and lots of work!
Christian Auziere
Q4. Does international Pitch and Putt have a future?
Very definitely. International events like this are a wonderful opportunity for the top players to meet a few times each year and strengthen the friendly ties we have forged over the years. It is not only important from an international point of view, it can also contribute a lot to the development within each federation.
Q5. How exciting is the prospect of France hosting the 2010 European Championship?
For the moment, Jean-Louis Oleksiak is in charge of this project and you would need to put the question to him. However, it would be an honour for us to host such a major event which has gone from strength to strength over the years.
Q6. What are the French prospects for the III World Cup? Will you be in contention?
We hope to spring a surprise as outsiders. Given the constant improvement of so many national teams it will be difficult but, we hope, not impossible.
Q7. When did actually begin to play Pitch and Putt? What are your future ambitions in the sport?
I began playing in 2002. In 2008, my main ambition will be to try and qualify for the French team for the World Championships in Holland. I would also like to do well in the San Marino and Italian Opens.
Q8. You are a former international Open winner yourself having won at San Marino in 2005? How is your own game at the moment?
Yes, I won the title in San Marino and that is a great souvenir. At the moment, my
play is very up and down but at least I have the excuse that with my professional
obligations coupled with my work on the French Open, I don't have much time to
practise.
Q9. What is the state of Pitch and Putt in France?
It's very encouraging as we are seeing new courses being built each season all
over France. AFPP is now working well on a regional basis and we are offering
more and more competitions, with more and more good players taking part.
Q10. What will you change if the La Grande Motte Open becomes the World
Strokeplay championship in 2009?
First of all the players will need to pass through a qualifying process and be
nominated or at least approved by their home federation. This means there will be
more countries represented but with fewer players per nation. Secondly it will be
played over 72 holes and with a reduced field. As for the course, we will of
course have tee-boxes and smaller greens
Thank you for providing a splendid annual experience in La Grande Motte!
(with John Hudson and John Manning)
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