As the announcement of the host country for the 2018 Ryder Cup approaches the French Rugby Federation (FFR) is delighted to add its support to the French bid. The FFR has chosen England v France, one of the most anticipated fixtures of the RBS 6 Nations, to show this support not only for golf but for all French sport.
Each player from Le XV de France will proudly display, on the sleeve of their jersey, the Official France 2018 Ryder Cup Candidate badge. The stakes are high for the French who, on May 17 2011, hope to be announced as the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Emile N’Tamack, backs coach for the French rugby team, is relishing the prospect of ‘le Crunch’ with the double objective of leaving a last impression on the English XV and a lasting memory for all of French sport united in the hope that the Ryder Cup 2018 will take place at Golf National, on the outskirts of Paris.
N’Tamack commented, “I’ve always been a golf fan. Through rugby I have been able to achieve so much in sport and so much as a man. So today I am delighted that the FFR will show its support for France’s bid to welcome one of the biggest events in world golf.”
Pierre Camou, President of the FFR, explained why bidding for the Ryder Cup makes perfect sense for sport in France; “Hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2007 created a fantastic opportunity to develop French rugby. In addition to having vastly increased the number of players in France, it allowed us to develop the game in the areas where rugby was less common. I am very aware of the significance that hosting the Ryder Cup represents for FFGolf and I fully support their bid. It is important that all of French sport is united behind French bids to host major international events.”
The FFGolf has invested heavily into their bid in the hope of maximising the enormous benefits created by hosting such a major event.
Representatives from FFGolf will be at Twickenham as they continue to demonstrate the strength of the French bid and its vast support as displayed by the French rugby team.
Support for the French Bid comes from both sides of the Channel including some of the most prominent and well respected figures from both rugby and golf in the UK and in France. Most recently 2010 Ryder Cup Captain, Colin Montgomerie, acknowledged the difficult decision facing the European Tour but said he feels that France is the way to go for 2018.
Chairman of the French Ryder Cup Bid, FFGolf, Pascal Grizot, explained his passion for the French Bid adding; “With a renowned golf course, highly praised by the best golfers, a stunning location that boasts Paris and Versailles on its doorstep and a committed determination to increase the number of golfers most notably through the development of 100 compact courses close to urban centres, the Ryder Cup will benefit from unrivalled support and will be a spectacle to remember.”
The French bid has outlined twelve key areas which they have pledged will ensure the most successful Ryder Cup to date. These include the future growth of golf across Europe, France’s successful history of hosting major international sporting events and the nation’s backing for the event with public, commercial and governmental support.
Furthermore the selected course, Golf National, being adjacent to Paris and the Chateau de Versailles would deliver an unrivalled cultural experience for all.
French Ryder Cup Bid www.rydercup2018france.com