The French-American Challenge returns to France

Beaten by half a point in 2022 on the Quaker Ridge Golf course, the Paris-Ile de France League team took its revenge on October 24 and 25, 2024 on the Metropolitan Golf Association (New York) on the sublime Fontainebleau route. An 11.5 to 8.5 success which was played out during the doubles games on the first day…

The French-American Challenge returns to France! For at least two years. At the end of the first day (Thursday October 24) with the foursomes and the four balls, the Ile-de-France team managed to lead 6.5 to 3.5. The singles games (Friday October 25) ended in a draw (5-5) allowing the Paris-Ile de France League to win in front of his New York counterpart (Metropolitan Golf Association): 11.5 to 8.5!

The trophy, made up of two clocks each indicating the time of Paris and New York, has since stood at the headquarters of the Paris-Ile de France League, at Golf National. This is the 17th victory for Ile-de-France residents in 21 editions, against 2 defeats and 2 draws.

A little taste of Walker Cup…

The winners led by the captain Hugo Rouillon are called Alice Kong, Paul Martin, Calixte Alzas, Marie Elodie Prast Rigual, Esteban Cruz Bonilla, Margaux Bréjo et Hugo Le Goff. This young guard was supported by more experienced teammates such Alexandra Vilatte, Mathilde Claisse, Nicolas Foschia or even Maxence Mugnier.

Born in 1990, the French-American Challenge was initially called the Fred’s Cup. Named after the Fred jewelry store, whose owner, Henry Samuelwanted to promote its brand when opening its store in New York. He proposed to the President of the Paris League to organize a golf meeting pitting the best Ile-de-France players against those of the MGA (Metropolitan Golf Association)

Played alternately every year from 1990 to 1996 on each side of the Atlantic, this duel between teams of four women and six men is now played every two years, over two days. The game formula (Match Play) retained is that adopted at the Walker Cup. Numerous and very illustrious courses in Ile de France but also close to New York hosted the event. Let's quote the American side Baltusrol, Sleepy Hollow, Mountain Ridge, The Creek et Sebonack. On the Paris League side, we can remember Chantilly, Saint-Cloud, Saint-Germain, Morfontaine, Saint-Nom la Bretèche, Fontainebleau, Yvelines…

Photo: Paris-Ile de France League