Tom Gueant

I am the result of a genetic union between my mom and my dad—whose outcome was my arrival on this planet on August 27, 2001 in Grenoble (France) at 6:45 p.m., weighing 4.25 kg (9 lb 6 oz) and measuring 55 cm.

I discovered golf completely by chance at the age of 2 at Uriage Golf Club, where my parents had gone to lunch with friends. It seemed fun and easy to get that little ball into the hole—even if it was far away…
Before I turned 3, seeing how much I enjoyed it, my parents bought me small Cleveland clubs. They wanted to enroll me in Uriage’s golf school, but they were told it wasn’t a daycare and that they didn’t accept children under 8—and that it was like that everywhere in France…
Then one day, when I was 3, they took me to Charmeil Golf Club so I could try my little cart they had just bought at a sporting goods store.
There was a tournament for 10–15-year-olds—I wanted to play it. So my dad asked Arnaud Criner if he could take me into the golf school. Since Arnaud saw I really wanted to play with my bag and cart, he asked my dad how old I was. My dad replied: “Uh… 5 years old!!”…
Arnaud offered a tryout even though he thought 5 was very young. But when he saw me putting, chipping… having a blast…
Of course, he kept me—and thanks to Arnaud, I was able to start golf!!
Later my dad told him I was actually only 3 years old… and I think Arnaud still can’t believe it…
Unfortunately, he left—it’s a real shame.
I also had Colette Olivard as a coach—she was truly kind. She called me “the phenomenon,” but I don’t know why…

Then Jimmy May arrived without rushing—good old Jimmy with his cart and clubs…

Two years later, at 5 years old, I played my first World Championships at Pinehurst (USA). That’s really where I decided I wanted to do this my whole life… I played five in a row, always finishing 1st European…

I stayed at Charmeil Golf until December 2009. We were drawn to Evian Golf with promises of many things that never happened… before being told two years later that we were no longer welcome…

I then heard about an extraordinary training center: Golf Flower in Mionnay. It had just opened, so I wanted to see it. And there—I fell in love, as Quebecers say, with this incredible place. After spending the day there having fun, I said: “This is my club now,” and 10 minutes later I had my license there…

In March 2017, after about 6 years at Mionnay, my path turned to Cannes-Mougins with the opportunity to play the famous Coupe Gounouilhou—but it turned out to be a mistake.

In early 2018, I was contacted by coach Casey Martin from the famous University of Oregon in Eugene to join their golf team— NCAA champions three years earlier and finalists the following season… Already in advanced talks with Stanford, UCLA, and Illinois for 2019 recruitment, I was convinced to join Oregon as early as 2018 after earning High Honors on my French scientific baccalaureate in engineering sciences at age 16…

So the adventure continues in the USA…

In 2020, I decided to join Terre Blanche Golf Club.
In 2017, at 15, I played (and finished 3rd) in the PACA Grand Prix on Le Château course at Terre Blanche. From the very first holes, I fell in love with this magnificent golf course. And what about the training center and hotel facilities… a true gem where I’d love to live after college…
And I was right—because we won the 2020 Gounouilhou Trophy with an amazing team of friends, winning qualifiers and the final hands down…

TOM.