Le Touquet, France

Where it all began.

The inaugural Provisional Invitational — fittingly held in the land of baguettes, berets, and banditry — back to where it all began but this time under the suspicious cloak of Covid-19.

Masks were mandatory, what is it with bandits and masks?

Play began at Hardelot Les Pins, where Mr A. Stafford, tasked with hitting the first ever tee shot in Provisional history…hit a towering hook, directly towards the out-of-bounds fence. Six men all moved to their right in unison to see it’s flight, like a well rehearsed ballet routine. Best hit a provisional.

Mr I. Harrington set the early pace with a scandalous 38 points, causing unrest amongst the handicap committee.

Then: 36 holes of chaos at Le Touquet La Mer, followed by 36 more at La Belle Dune the following day, where energy lapsed, swings derailed and many a provisional was declared.

There was food; fish by the truckload. There were fine wines. Europe got thrashed in the Ryder Cup. But no one at The Provisional seemed too bothered.

And finally — the first champion, Mr O. Mitchell, emerging victorious like a fine Bordeaux: occasionally erratic, but ultimately full-bodied and triumphant.