2018 Ryder Cup: The French bid

By Dave Tindall Last updated: 8th July 2010

Despite the enormous contribution made by the non-GB & Ireland players on the European team, the Ryder Cup has only once taken place in Continental Europe.

But, not before time, that will change in 2018 with France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands all vying to follow in the footsteps of Valderrama which played host in 1997.

The French bid, presented by the French Golf Federation (FFGolf), was submitted at the Senat in Paris on April 29th and was brought into sharper focus at last weekend's Open de France.

Some early seeds were sown when French golfer Gregory Havret wore the France 2018 bid logo on his bag as he outscored playing partner Tiger Woods to finish runner-up at the recent US Open.

But the full weight of the campaign to get the Ryder Cup to Le Golf National was really felt in Paris as a host of Europe's top players descended on France.

The French are using the slogan: Ryder Cup 2018 France: Passion, Prestige, Panache and their bid comprises these key elements.

1) Le Golf National. Just 20 miles outside Paris, the course - L'Albatros - is a huge weapon in the French bid's armoury. It was built with the Ryder Cup in mind and with its stadium-style banking, treacherous expanses of water and plethora of risk and reward holes it would make a superb match-play venue. The dramatic 18th is wonderfully conducive to a dramatic Ryder Cup climax. And - another huge key - it's easily capable of hosting crowds of 70,000 day.

2) Licence. Each registered member of the FFGolf recently voted (83% said 'yes') to pay a 3 Euro levy on their membership fee to help fund the bid. That has a double significance. Firstly, it provides a guaranteed pot of cash (there were 410,000 members in 2009) and, secondly, it gives golfers in France a sense that they're part of the bid.

3) Government backing. President Nicolas Sarkozy has given his full support to the French bid but it's more than just lip service. In 2007 he launched the Grand Paris project - a 35 billion commitment to transport improvement over 10 years that will help cut travel time from Charles de Gualle airport to Le Golf National to just 30 minutes.

4) Paris. The French capital has more tourist visitors than any other city in the world and boasts excellent infrastructure. Orly aiport is just a 20-minute car ride from Le Golf National while, as stated above, the trip from Charles de Gualle will also be cut to 30. And, of course, if you're travelling from the UK, Eurostar trains will whisk you to central Paris in 2hrs 15mins.

5) Legacy. An important part of bids these days - it certainly helped London win the 2012 Olympics - is showing that hosting a big event can have a lasting impact. The 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup helped boost membership figures in football and rugby union and the French bid team insist that the Ryder Cup would do the same for golf. Just 0.61% of the French population play golf (compared to 4.9% in Scotland and 9.5% in the USA) so there is real potential for expansion. The focal point of that would be the building of "100 nearby facilities" - smaller courses, nine-holers, pitch and putts etc that would be more accessible, low in cost and situtated close to public living spaces.

6) Environment: The French bid is employing Olympic values and assessment methods to create the most sustainable, socially and environmentally Ryder Cup in the tournament's history.

While past Ryder Cup bids have been about one big player/sponsor, there is a very real sense with the French that this is a collective effort.

Speaking on the final day of the French Open, French Golf Federation president Christophe Muniese declared: "It would be a great opportunity for the Federation to gather everyone behind one project, to create a unity - women, executive golf clubs, private golf clubs, public sector support. A Ryder Cup on French soil could be the catalyser of all this energy.

"This is our overall philosophy and vision."

Europe's players would also appear very much in favour.

England's Chris Wood - top five in the last two Open Championships and a likely future Ryder Cup star - made his first visit to Le Golf National last weekend and was blown away: "Awesome. I love it," said last year's European Tour Rookie of the Year. "Every player likes it in fact. The way there was so much drama on the last four holes last week proves how good it would be in the Ryder Cup. I think most of the players want it to host a Ryder Cup."

There's no getting away from the fact that money is a hugely important factor - many would say the bottom line - and the Ryder Cup committee will have plenty to discuss and ponder before they announce their decision on April 2011.

One thing is clear though. The French are presenting an excellent case

Dave Tindall