In the early 2000s, the Le 19ème Trou streetgolf team were playing the underground game—pure streetgolf. Very quickly, their unconventional way of playing golf, as well as their cultural universe mixing street art, photography, and music, attracted media and partnership attention. They never let that change who they were: a squad of misfits who couldn’t afford their green fees and wanted to reclaim a sport that is too often elitist. The proof is, in 2006, they even refused a sponsorship deal with Puma Golf, fearing they would have to give up their underground-free spirit. Instead, they used the media to share their version of this new sport with as many people as possible, staying true to their roots. Competition has its place, but it’s a different vibe—a different game.
"Streetgolf is an inconsiderate political act,"
- Bastien Lattanzio, early member of Le 19ème Trou in 2005.
It’s like the shift from free surfers to pro surfers—think Rob Machado versus Kelly Slater. One’s chasing the freedom, the feeling of the ride, while the other is aiming to be the best, to break records, and to win titles. Both love the sport; both are legitimate, but they come at it from different angles.
In the early stages, what made streetgolf so fun was its creativity and freedom. Back in the day, before the championship format took over, every event was a new discovery. Each one had its own unique vibe, with teams coming up with wild ideas for the rules. For example, one event had a "relay hole," where you had to run and play as fast as possible, using just one club and one ball per team. These events were like little experiments, pushing the boundaries of what the game could be. Each time we played, we learned something new and grew the sport. We were all in it together, creating, experimenting, and having fun.
But over time, the French City Pro Tour (FCPT), which was founded by Le 19ème Trou in 2010, started shifting. It began as a promotional event to help grow streetgolf, bringing teams, media, artists, and more into the fold. It was buzzing at first, but as the responsibilities of organizing the tour expanded, the tournaments started to lose some of that original magic. Teams were invited to join the organizing committee, and slowly, everyone’s ideas started clashing.
"I got tired of fighting with people I loved. I reached a point where my vision for the FCPT was no longer in line with where it was headed. Despite my best efforts to steer things in what I thought was the right direction, I realized the project was veering off into a place I couldn’t support. One day, in a meeting, I just said, 'I quit.' And that was the moment I stepped away, marking the end of my involvement in the French championship." – Phil Missemer, founder of Le 19ème Trou streetgolf team and the FCPT.
Le 19ème Trou understood the importance of the entire experience surrounding streetgolf. By organizing events and the French championship, they managed to attract lots of participants and media attention. Every contest felt new and exciting, with many new faces and a growing energy around the sport. But now? It’s mostly the same players at each competition. Don’t get me wrong, I love you guys, but it’s not growing anymore. In 2022, I went to the final contest of the FCPT as a visitor, and it was totally different. A great urban golf course, as usual, with the organizing team, but the prize ceremony took place in a small rundown bar, and there was only one photographer covering the final of a national championship. It felt wrong. This is where we can hope the freshly founded French Federation of Streetgolf can boost the aspirations of the championship. You can focus on rankings and competition, but at least recognize that the buzz isn’t working anymore. Streetgolf thrives not in strict competitions, but with its creative vibe, the wild parties, and the after-events where we celebrated the spirit of the game—win or lose, all together. That’s what kept the sport exciting and attractive.
"I’m not pointing fingers—there are a lot of people working hard to keep the spirit of streetgolf alive, as well as others organizing amazing competitions. I have my own part in how things went down. But when it all started falling apart, I was surrounded by some people with bad influence. A sports agent who just wanted glory pushed for the team to become the first-ever champions of a streetgolf championship so he could bring in bigger sponsors and line his pockets. But I couldn’t mix the roots of streetgolf—the freedom, the fun—with the strict rules of a championship." – Phil Missemer, founder of Le 19ème Trou streetgolf team and the FCPT.
But it’s not too late. More and more people in the urban golf scene are pushing to return to the essence of the game. New events are popping up outside the official championships, and that’s exciting. There’s hope. Let’s play together. Forget the rigid rules, forget the corporate pressure. Let’s celebrate all the teams that participate, all the organizers who put in the work, and everyone who keeps streetgolf alive with passion and style.