The Valescure golf course director, Jean-Philippe Fernez, gained distinction by reviving the oldest pro competition in France: the Riviera Omnium. Portrait of an impassioned man.

For more than 30 years!
For three decades Jean-Philippe Fernez has been breathing Valescure, eating Valescure, sleeping Valescure… «In the years 1975-1980» explains the club’s director «a dirt road was leading to the golf club and getting there from Saint–Raphael was particularly difficult…» After 10 years spent as a Valescure coach, JP Fernez became the golf course manager in 1995. A symbolic year: the 100th year of the club which was created in 1895 by Lord Ashcom. «With its legendary pine trees, its atypical course, I always knew that the location was of one of exception» adds the manager.

Creativity serving the club’s interests
Raised under the shade of the Parasol Pine trees, the 43 year old Valescure manager is still full of passion when dealing with his club animation and promotion. His qualities? Strict management and a fertile imagination that often leaves the club’s members astonished. JP Fernez underscores: «The players are demanding. Everything must be perfect, avoiding routine at all costs. Always reevaluate, innovate…» In addition to maintaining this delicate alchemy, the Valescure director is succeeding with a «tour de force»: preserve the userfriendliness while developing the competitive spirit. «Today we offer more than 70 competition days or events annually» adds the manager. «Among them, the rebirth of the Riviera Omnium is our main pride. This challenge undertaken with the backing of the board, required several months of hard work.» And the results are here: the main French pros golfers answered the call.

Golf geared towards competition
Another face of the club: investing in young talents. A fruitful orientation (promoted by Patrick Cotton, the sports director) with 2006 already considered as an exceptional year. «Our men and women A teams advance to the first league» reveals JP Fernez. These good results, individual or collective, delight the club’s members naturally involved with and sensitive to the club’s young talent performances. «Valescure is a big family» concludes the club’s manager.
Arnaud Brisset