Webzine main - continued

The inaugural meeting of the European Association of Golf Historians and Collectors (EAGHC) was held at Chantilly Golf Club (north of Paris) on October 2-3, 2006. A summary of the meeting activities below was provided by EAGHC President and GCS member Jean-Bernard Kazmierczak.

Monday Evening – Dinner
On Monday the 2^nd of October, we were 19 for a dinner at the restaurant “Le Vertugadin”, in Chantilly. This was the opportunity for many of us, who were exchanging friendly through E-mail for a long time, to meet in person.

After dinner, it was hard to go back to the hotels, and many of us spent some time at the bar, striking up a conversion with new friends.

Tuesday Morning – Golf and Crossage
We had the privilege to play on the Old Course at Chantilly (Vineuil). Originally designed by J.H. Taylor, the course was re-designed by Tom Simpson after the WWI. John Hanna, BGCS Captain, playing hickories, was extremely elegant with his plus fours – as usual. I must say that his first drive was extremely impressive, only 10 or 15 yards shorter than a good shot by Patrick Massion (handicap 6) with an oversized driver.

For those who were not playing, Sara and Geert Nijs made a demonstration of “crossage” (or choule, chole). The difference between “crossage en rue” (in streets game) and “crossage en plaine” (in the fields) was clearly explained as well as “crossage au but” (short target game). As we were on the practice ground, it was possible to make some trials, using the strange clubs striking elliptical wooden balls (called “choulettes”). The local pro, Patrice Léglise, showed a real interest and actually joined our Association as a member.




		Inaugural Meeting of the EAGHC


	The inaugural meeting of the European Association of Golf Historians and Collectors (EAGHC) was held at Chantilly Golf Club (north of Paris) on October 2-3, 2006. A summary of the meeting activities below was provided by EAGHC President and GCS member Jean-Bernard Kazmierczak. *Monday Evening – Dinner* On Monday the 2^nd of October, we were 19 for a dinner at the restaurant “Le Vertugadin”, in Chantilly. This was the opportunity for many of us, who were exchanging friendly through E-mail for a long time, to meet in person. After dinner, it was hard to go back to the hotels, and many of us spent some time at the bar, striking up a conversion with new friends. *Tuesday Morning – Golf and Crossage* We had the privilege to play on the Old Course at Chantilly (Vineuil). Originally designed by J.H. Taylor, the course was re-designed by Tom Simpson after the WWI. John Hanna, BGCS Captain, playing hickories, was extremely elegant with his plus fours – as usual. I must say that his first drive was extremely impressive, only 10 or 15 yards shorter than a good shot by Patrick Massion (handicap 6) with an oversized driver. For those who were not playing, Sara and Geert Nijs made a demonstration of “crossage” (or choule, chole). The difference between “crossage en rue” (in streets game) and “crossage en plaine” (in the fields) was clearly explained as well as “crossage au but” (short target game). As we were on the practice ground, it was possible to make some trials, using the strange clubs striking elliptical wooden balls (called “choulettes”). The local pro, Patrice Léglise, showed a real interest and actually joined our Association as a member.


*Tuesday Afternoon – Inaugural Meeting* After a nice lunch in common, 25 persons attended the afternoon meeting. Pierre Massie, Honorary Secretary of the FFG (French Golf Federation) and Christophe Muniesa, FFG Executive Director kindly joined our meeting. We had two sessions. The first one was dedicated to historical communications followed by a second shorter “General Meeting”. The historical communications started with a presentation by Xavier de Taffin on “Development of Golf in the world”. Xavier made tough work collecting information on golf courses opening and number of players in countries, all around the world, since 1900 until today. Even if he was modestly suggesting that this is a preliminary work, the information is already extremely valuable. On the Continent, it was clear that the 1980s were the decade where the game exploded in most countries. Georges Jeanneau was then focusing on “Golf in France, the first fifty years”, From Pau (1856) to the first French Open (1906). Georges was able to summarize in 20 minutes the key facts which explains the evolution of the game in France. Of course he started with Pau and Biarritz, but also providing some interesting information on Dinard and its connexion with Fournier Sarlovèze, who later create the Compiègne GC (1896). Of course, it was a must to refer to Pierre Deschamps and impossible to miss Arnaud Massy and the “musketeers” (Gassiat, Laffitte and Tellier). His presentation was followed by “Golf in Germany, before WWI” by Christoph Meister. From Homburg, around 1889 through Bremen (1898) in the 19^th century, and from Kiel (1902) to Oberhof (1907) we had a review of the early courses in Germany. Key event were presented: The 1911 professional golf tournament in Baden-Baden (1911), the first yearbook published by the German Golf Union in 1911 (second edition in 1914). Also, the preparation of the 1916 Olympics is a fact which is rarely referred to. The next talk was made by Jean-Bernard Kazmierczak (JBK) on “Early Golf Postcards”. The very first golf postcard (non-illustrated) was certainly issued c. 1893 by Royal North Devon GC to advice members of a General Meeting of the club. Private printing of postcards allied to advanced printing techniques in Germany and Switzerland offered the capability of editing some of the early Illustrated Golf postcards. The great revolution came from UK, in January 1902, when the divided back was authorized. The two last communications were related to early golf. Geert and Sara Nijs entitled their presentation “The non-royal but most ancient game of crosse”. This extremely early game is still played in a small area in the North of France, close to Maubeuge, and on the other side of the border, in Belgium, close to Mons. Sara and Geert, stressing that this game could disappear in the next few years, are tracking and keeping the traditions of “jeu de crosse”. They interviewed the oldest players, looked for any information in many libraries and are now working on a book. David Hamilton had an initially provocative title “Origins of golf: Europe or Scotland” which he finally changed to “Origins of Golf: Some Questions”. The necessary starting point is to define what “golf” is: long game played on open ground with a series of hole, varied clubs, small ball and target, strokes counted, no race, nor obstruction. Early “Stick & Ball games” were reviewed and a longer focus was made on the “Long Game” and the relations between Scotland and Europe. Rarely referred: the fact that in early time, the game was “winter preferred”. After those extremely interesting presentation and a deserved coffee break, we started a short “General Meeting”. *General Meeting* The first point was about the election of the board. The five non-permanent members were confirmed (unanimity) in their position for a second year: JBK as president, Christoph Meister and Xavier de Taffin as vice-presidents, Henri Jakubowicz as treasurer and Georges Jeanneau as secretary. Lally Segard, as honorary president is a permanent member. Then we had an open discussion on a few points. First, it has been approved that we should keep membership fees at a low level (10 euros) to offer the capability of a larger group of historians and collectors to share information. This also means that we should look for sponsorship for our actions. One of our goals should be to track the information as extensively as possible … but being realistic. From the experience of the DGA, focusing on a few limited points is necessary. About a magazine, there was a long discussion about pros and cons. Nevertheless, we suggest going on. Christoph Meister is working hard on this project. Please help him, providing papers until November 30^th, 2006 to CNMeister@t-online.de. Suggestions about subjects are most welcome.