For four years now, the young elites of French golf have had the opportunity to meet on more prestigious dates on the U14 calendar, called Young Major Grand Prize, four in number this season. ” There is one less this year since we are also developing dates for the U12s “, explains the federal manager of the U14 sector, Alexandre Bosséray. As a symbol, the number of Majors is reminiscent of that which makes up the professional elite calendar. ” This is the whole objective of the creation of these tournaments: to approach the reality of the high level and bring together the 72 best in this category to prepare them for international tournaments. “Adds the former head of the Espoirs de Montpellier division. In the line of sight, we find in particular the International of France U14 but above all, the key event of the year at this age: theAmundi Evian Junior Cup, in September. ” We are now trying to change the routes a bit », continues Alexandre Bosseray before evoking the layouts of Cicé-Blossac and of Seignossenew guests for the year 2023 in places and places of the Mans a you Greater Saint-Émilionnais.
Young people seen as adults
While waiting for the other Majors of the Golf Nationalat the beginning of June, from Cicé-Blossc, a fortnight later, and fromEvianin August, the first of the year opens this weekend at Seignosse. A novelty for the Landes route, although already used to receiving some of the best players in the country on the occasion of its annual Grand Prix (from June 30 to July 2 this year). “The choice of Seignosse corresponds to our desire to have courses that allow you to develop the skills that make the difference at a high level, in particular the firmness and speed of the greens”, details the federal official. At a time of year when the courses are sometimes still subject to the law of winter humidity, the Landes route presents itself as an ideal place. “We haven’t specially prepared it for the Grand Prix Majeur, but given that we set ourselves the annual objective that the quality of the course be better than that of the previous year, we already know that everything is done for be ready this weekend”begins the golf director, Christophe Rondele.
Probably to the chagrin of the young protagonists, the course will therefore not be the easiest. A condition sought by the U14 sector to forge from now on the rigor of the high level, while keeping a certain measure of difficulty, especially in terms of distance. ” In these tournaments, we are rather on U16 distances which differ with the classic Young Grand Prix, more often are calibrated on U14 distances. Obviously, we take into consideration the condition of the course to establish the starts but, in general, we always have a reference to define the right distance, namely: that the young people can play scoring clubs almost every shot and not systematically take out wood 3 because the distance is too long », concludes Alexandre Bosseray. The par 5, for example, will thus be reachable in two.
The always diabolical “devil’s hole”!
Apart from perhaps the “hole of the devil”, specific to the Seignosse route… This famous 18th hole, a par 6 of 666 meters, will be revised downwards as a par 5, without however allowing young people to attack him in two. “The beast is tamed on condition of being humble and reasonable in its choices as often as possible”, slips not without malice Christophe Rondelé. Young people have been warned: the first Major Youth Grand Prix presents itself as a great challenge; enough to offer them the opportunity to shine with the coaches of the French men’s and women’s teams who will keep a close eye on the winners of each tournament.
