Claude-Roger Cartier, who as President of the Federation Française de Golf played a key role in the development of golf across Europe, has received the accolade of Honorary Life Vice President of The European Tour.
Cartier was presented with the award by George O’Grady CBE, Chief Executive of The European Tour, on the final day of the ALSTOM Open de France at Le Golf National in recognition of his tireless dedication to the game in France and contribution to the growth of The European Tour.
When John Jacobs was appointed the first Tournament Director-General of the Professional Golfers’ Association, tasked with uniting Great Britain and Ireland with the continent of Europe, Cartier’s support was vital and unstinting in immediately seeing and believing in the vision of “One Europe” for the professional circuit, which would later become The European Tour.
His influence as a senior figure in the early meetings of the European Golf Association and the Players’ Tournament Committee helped shape virtually all the important regulations which set the foundations for The European Tour over the next 30 years.
Although rightly very proud of the French Open’s position as the oldest of all the Continental Opens, Cartier embraced and strongly supported the concept that all the traditional Opens be protected and receive fair treatment.
Cartier, who served as President of the FFG from 1981 to 1996 and currently holds the position of Honorary President, was at the forefront of the development of the Le Golf National, hosting the Open de France for the 18th time this week.
He was also among the first to campaign for golf’s inclusion in the Olympic Games alongside Emma Villacieros, Richard Rahusen and others – long before other key individuals and organisations joined the campaign. The announcement last October that golf will rejoin the Olympics in Rio de Janiero in 2016, gave cause for celebration throughout the world of golf.
In presenting the solid silver Honorary Life Vice President card, O’Grady said: “The European Tour owes a debt of gratitude to Claude for his unwavering support and commitment to the game not only in France but across Europe. His influence has been immense, and his leadership and vision has been followed so superbly by his successors. We are delighted Georges Barbaret, the current FFG President, has accepted this award on his behalf.”
