The Metropolitan Golf Association, Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association and Ligue de Paris are pleased to announce that luxury watchmaker Baume & Mercier will return as sponsor of the 2004 French American Challenge Matches scheduled for October 19-21 at Plainfield Country Club in Plainfield, NJ.  Baume & Mercier also sponsored the event when it was last held in Paris in 2002 at Joyenval Golf Club.

 

The French American Challenge Matches were created in 1990 by Paris-based jeweler Fred Joaillier to foster sportsmanship and goodwill between the two nations.  Teams of six men and four women representing the top players from the Parisian Golf League (Ligue de Paris) and a similar team representing the MGA and WMGA square off in a head to head competition similar to The Walker Cup over two days. The event alternates every other year between the Met Area and Paris, and is traditionally held at some of the respective area’s finest courses including Baltusrol, Sleepy Hollow, The Creek, Atlantic and Mountain Ridge in the U.S., and Racing Club de France, St, Germain, St. Cloud, St. Nom de la Breteche, and Joyenval in Paris.

 

The Matches are preceded by an Am-Am competition  which pairs each of the 20 players from both associations with a corporate threesome in a Best Ball of Four competition. Proceeds from the event benefit the MGA Foundation and its many worthwhile junior golf initiatives.

 

Founded in 1830, Baume & Mercier is one of the world’s most celebrated watchmakers with a long tradition of support of charitable and sporting events.

 

“Baume & Mercier is delighted to be affiliated with the French American Challenge, and with these three organizations who are doing so much to promote sportsmanship and cooperation through the game golf.” said Baume & Mercier President Edward Wright.

 

MGA President Paul Dillon also noted that, “ We welcome Baume & Mercier as a sponsor for what is undoubtedly one of the premiere events of the season. To have a company of such prestige and quality be affiliated with an event that showcases our best players at the Met Area’s best courses, is a perfect fit.”

 

Team selections will be announced in mid-September.  Places are still available in the Am-Am competition and be reserved by calling the MGA Office at 914-347-4753.