Paul Armitage, Director of Golf at Le Golf National, believes the first edition of the Paris Legends Championship was made even more special by the 12 former Ryder Cup players who teed it up on L’Albatros Course.
Le Golf National, host venue for The 2018 Ryder Cup, welcomed the European Senior Tour to Paris for the newest addition to the Tour’s Schedule.
Former Ryder Cup Captains Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam were two of the dozen past Ryder Cup players who graced the French fairways last week.
“I spoke to each of the former Ryder Cup players,” said Armitage. “They speak very highly of Le Golf National.
“I think they all imagined themselves playing in a Ryder Cup here as they went round, and playing it on the style of course that we have. It has been a special weekend.”
“For a first event, it’s gone very, very well. It’s an event which came very late on the calendar and it shook things up a little bit for us to get things prepared.
“But I think we’ve done very well to get it up and running.”
With the support of promoter Alexis Sikorsky, and tournament coordinator Pierre-Antoine Missoud, Armitage believes the first edition of the tournament has laid strong foundations for the future.
“They have really spoilt us this year,” he said. “They’ve gone to town to make this a welcoming and a friendly event.
“We’ve had some fantastic evenings, and the players loved that. It was all done in the right way, sportingly, and all the rest we can upgrade as we grow.
“For a first event, I’m impressed with spectator numbers. The first thing you think about with a new event is communicating it, and getting people to know the brand.
“For the French public to find out these things, it does take time. But we are organising the event for this course next year and we will see what happens in 2018.”
Swede Magnus P Atlevi secured his maiden European Senior Tour title at the inaugural event carding a two under par final round of 69 to win by two strokes.
