Christian Cévaër, a two-time European Tour winner is our guest for today’s interview. Christian loves to use the All Square app to stay in touch with his students, discover new courses and read reviews from like-minded golfers.
1. ABOUT GOLF
To start, can you tell us how you first got into golf?
My father was a founding member of Dumbea GC in 1981,the first golf club in New Caledonia, my native island in the South Pacific. I began playing with him and can remember the greens were not even finished when I played my first round on the course. At the beginning I also had to swing my father’s clubs, who is lefty, because the first junior clubs had not been imported yet from Australia.
Your 3 best memories as a professional player on the European Tour?
One of my best memories as a professional was playing The Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2004. The other two would be my wins on the European Tour, the Spanish Open at Fuerteventura Golf Club in 2004 and the European Open at the London Golf Club in 2009.
What made you want to become a teaching professional after such a successful career on Tour?
I have always been interested in instruction. After receiving my BA in Psychology from Stanford University, I earned my teaching diploma in France before I turned professional the following year. I had always enjoyed advising golfers during pro-ams and clinics, and had been blessed to work with great instructors throughout my own career to maximize my potential (Exalt Hopu, Ben Doyle, François Berthet, Benoit Willemart). I was also fortunate enough to have been able to learn through interactions with some of the best names in golf instruction (David Leadbetter, Butch Harmon, Pete Cowen).
Due to my reputation as one of the best putters and short game players on Tour, different golf medias sought my opinion on these areas of the game for instructional articles and videos. Once I decided to end my playing career, becoming an instructor has allowed me to continue my passion for the game and combine it with my joy for helping people.
What do you like most about teaching golf?
Helping the golfers and seeing them progress. Being able to guide them, understanding their personality as well as their swing. Helping them eliminate any doubts and frustrations. It is very rewarding helping them determine what will work best for them, to train better and play smarter. It is always nice seeing them happy at the end of a session.
How can we get more kids to play golf?
Golf should be part of the education schooling system. Such programs have already been launched in France. The US is a great example for combing education and sports.
Golf clubs should open their doors to juniors.
Smart adequate teaching & tools, relative to age (they do exist).
Making sure kids are enjoying golf schools and having fun through simple fundamentals and exercises. The golf school at Saint-Cloud Golf Club in Paris, where I teach, does an excellent job and is well organized with that aim. I believe most golf schools are doing a good job in France.
Last but not least, the parents must not be too involved and respect their junior’s level of motivation. In general, when motivated, the kids are already way too demanding on themselves. And if not they are not motivated, they should never be forced to golf or compete.
Complete the sentence: What I like the most about All Square is …
Reaching out to like-minded golfers and friends to let them know that I can help them and make golfers happy! 😉
Your favorite feature on All Square?
What I like most about All Square is the golf course section. It is a great feature to find golf courses around you in a place you’re not so familiar with and to be able to read reviews from other passionate golfers. This really helps to pick your next course to play.
3. RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS
Hitting long drives or sinking long putts?
Long putts, of course.
Having the round of your life or a hole-in-one?
Round of my life.
Early morning or late afternoon tee time?
Early morning.
The coolest player on Tour?
Can’t single out, here’s a few: «The Coolz» – Nicolas Colsaert, «El Toro» – Alex Levy, «The Kutch» – Matt Kuchar, «G-Mac» – Graeme McDowell and Patrick Rodgers.
