Le Touquet, Nord-Pas de Calais, France 2010
2010 was the year that The Founders became the Benefactors, bestowing the gift of MADJIC upon two competition virgins; Stokesy, a newcomer to the game who we knew would offer endless enthusiasm and Baz, on a respite from his bombing holidays with the Bareback Ryders, who would bring a poker table, chips and an electronic gadgets for every occasion.
Changing the dynamic of a competition that was running so smoothly and effectively was a very bold decision to take but evolution and progression is what MADJIC is all about – within reason.
Nell’s Cottage by this time was on the market, abandoned by the Chilvers’ at the very time the Irish needed them the most. In the grip of recession, the Celtic Tiger was struggling to roar but as Dinty reduced his main meals to only €18 we callously ditched West Cork and headed to France.
Spurred on by Baz and his tales of bonhomie, we booked a 4 bedder on a newly-built estate and headed off Outre-Mache in the blazing heat of July.
The excitement was palpable and the drive along the beautiful Opal Coast really was as easy as Baz had said. Until that is we rounded the bend at Etaples to cross the little bridge into Le Touquet, when Chilvers Golf, bought from a ‘mate’ in Bomo gave out on him. Not exactly known for his boy-scout levels of preparation it came as a huge and welcome surprise to know he had booked International Breakdown only the night before. The mountain became a molehill and set the scene for a well-oiled and almost incident free trip.
Baz may claim that his lack of the bed was a hindrance. Christopher may chirp that waking up to find a fox on his chest was troublesome, but these were minor irritations that were soon forgotten.
The only long-lasting and lingering concern, which in these days of positive office speak could be called a ‘challenge’, was Justin’s mental state.
With our property, like many in Le Touquet being situated around a small pitch and putt area, the ‘challenge’ was constant. Not only that, for our neighbours it was also quite frightening and I noticed doors and windows being surreptitiously closed tight on more than one occasion.
Hosel-rockets were flying every which way but straight and the more time he spent trying to fix his ‘Armitage’ , the worse they got. If it wasn’t so funny we might have felt sorry for him, but the truth is, it was hilarious. Schadenfreude – one of the most beautiful things you can imagine in golf when someone is going for their third straight tournament win against you.
But the enjoyment was not solely derived from the decimation of his game. The majority was due to the obvious mental dismay Justin was suffering. He was in a ‘head funk’ but as time has taught him there are 3 sporting rules that cannot ever be broken. Nobody retains the Champions League, Sergio Garcia will never win a Masters and nobody can play well the year after the birth of their first child.
So as Justin made up the numbers it was left to the magnificent 4 to contend the trophy, with Stokesy playing the part of Theo Walcott in the 2006 World Cup and gaining some excellent experience of international top-level matchplay competition.
As it turned out, there were only ever 2 players in real contention, with Chilvers eventually outgunning Tony on the final days play at the prestigious Golf d’Hardelot le Pins.
Chilvers receives the Trophy – Hardelot
Delightfully set amongst the dunes and pine forest , the course was in spectacular condition, offering deep and sandy bunkers, plush fairways and fast and true greens.
It really was the pick of the bunch of a trip that also took in both courses at Le Touquet, La Mer and La Foret. These are courses that we don’t remember with huge fondness partly due to high prices that belied a lack of care and attention around the course. Whilst it’s a shame that the tee boxes were beaten and divoted, that the ball cleaners were towel and water-less and that Stokesy’s garish ensemble left us feeling like we were playing at Hoebridge, I would love to think that we will return one day as the natural beauty and landscaping of the courses was really rather special.
The Globetrotter – Le Touquet Town Centre
All in, France offered a different golfing experience that was a great alternative to Ireland and it paved the way for MADJIC to grow but in terms of numbers and experience. Sitting with a cold pint of beer outside the Globetrotter on the Rue de Metz watching the marching parade go by, offering momentary solace form the whirring noise coming from Justin’s brain and sharing in the celebration of a new name to adorn the most coveted trophy in amateur sport. What more could you ask for.