Obviously, there are similarities
Both make use of a round ball, one of them is multi-coloured, the other, white as snow.
Green grass on both playing fields, although one might be called a penalty area, the other a green.
Shoes, in both cases meant to keep both feet firmly on the ground even when our dreams of conquest push us to soar higher and higher…
A goal here, a put there.
Eleven opponents or even just one. It is all about the spirit of competition. Even when playing against a lifelong friend, the determination to win is always there.
In the last twenty years, golf has gained enormous popularity and history has seen many a footballer become a golfer. Why? Not to better his social status but instead, to finally escape and find much sought solitude and peace.
Moreover, golf is one of the few sports open to professional footballers, although some coaches, also golfers, fear that this escape outlet – or hobby – will seize their players, leaving them entirely absorbed by their newest passion.
The club is not limited to the proud jersey-wearers, the goal is not made of the same wood, here the fairway outclasses fair play.
This marriage of passion and reason, between football and golf is limitless. Our English friends were once again the first to take the putter and play the game, as they did with football… But no one can escape from the internationalization of this phenomenon.
Aware of golf’s enormous popularity and having noticed the growing number of ‘green addicts’ among its ranks, the International Federation of Professional Footballers, FIFPro, wanted to reunite some great footballers – unrepentant golfers – for a big golf tournament.
Golf has the ability to facilitate both meetings and reunions, to form a bridge between generations; these are some of the strengths of golf, the sport that not only allows a mix of ages and genders, but also lets footballers from yesterday and today share their emotions. This is our only ambition.
We have all gathered here to entertain ourselves, to have fun. And yet I know, that we will never be changed, we are born competitors… some of us are simply here to win.
Philippe Piat – FIFPro Europ President
