EPPA News

 

July 2003

 

 

A collection of news and anecdotes, for and from members of

The European Pitch and Putt association (EPPA)

 

Edited by: John Hudson  and Brian Jackson.

 

 

 

 

 

Contents:

 

1)  News from Catalonia: J-M Anzizu.

 

2)  News from PPUI: John Manning.

 

3)  British News: Doreen Powell.

 

4)  Dutch Selection: Erik Jorritsma.

 

5)  A letter from Germany:Deutsche Golf Consult.

 

6)  News from Russia: Elena Grinko.

 

7)  Diary of The 2003 French Open: Stephen O’Leary.

 

8)  Endpiece to The French Open: Brian Jackson.

 

9)  I.T.M.A! (It’s that man again!): John Hudson.

 

 

1)  News from Catalonia

 

NEW COURSE AT FORNELLS (Girona)

This 18 hole Pitch and Putt course is the 29th member of the ACPP and has been built according to the recommendations of the Catalan Government concerning new kinds of grass to save the use of water and the use of chemical fertilisers.  Because of the importance given in Catalonia to the environmental aspects of golf, this case will be followed with attention and might affect the construction of other golf and Pitch and Putt courses. At the moment the Catalan Government does not give permission to build new courses unless they use recycled water with adequate processing.  This fact explains that, in 2003, only three new Pitch and Putt courses will open: the above mentioned at FORNELLS, a second one on the Costa Brava (CASTELLO DE AMPURIES) and a third one near Barcelona (TEIA, which belongs to the owners of Sant Cebrià). The owners of the last of these courses have had to wait SEVEN years before getting full permission from the Catalan Government.

 

NEW SOFTWARE

After a long period training the Managers of the 28 courses and refining the program (and at a higher cost than previously budgeted!) the new system for modifying handicaps is finally in operation.  This will mean that handicaps will be automatically changed after each tournament.  There are some periods of the year where there are up to ten tournaments during the weekends and two or three on week days, therefore the work to be done by the Secretariat was almost impossible.  We believe that the investment on this program will make it possible for ACPP to continue growing at the present pace (over 25% in the number of players per year and about 10% increase in the number of participants in tournaments).

 

FIRST DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

For the first time we had a Catalonia Championship in this format.  Participants played fourballs, greensome and foursomes.  At the moment we have eight Catalonia Championships per year: "Absolut" (scratch, men and women), Handicap (men, 1^st  and 2^nd categories), Women (several categories), Seniors (several categories), Juveniles, Match Play and Doubles.

 

SENIORS

Activities specific for Senior Players (men over 55 and ladies over 50) are developing very quickly and are one of the most important aspects of our recent development.  Apart from local tournaments (always on week days), courses give special discounts to seniors and organise different activities to attract them, such as travelling abroad.  A group of Seniors has visited Ireland recently.  What is also a novelty is the fact that more and more seniors who used to play golf and kind of "reject" Pitch and Putt, are now discovering its advantages.  We see this as the segment of potential players that can grow faster in the coming years and are preparing a communication campaign to promote Pitch and Putt amongst senior citizens (golfers and/or beginners).

 

SALARDU

One of our Interclub matches took place at the beginning of May in the course of Salardú, in the "Valle de Aran" (Central Pyrenees). We thought that it was safe to play at this time of the year but the reality was that when the players arrived early in the morning to start the competition the course was covered in snow.  Fortunately the sun appeared a couple of hours

later and the competition could take place.

 

JM Anzizu

2)  NEWS FROM P.P.U.I.

 

CLAIRE FENNESSEY JOINS P.P.U.I.

 

The Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland has appointed Clonmel, Co. Tipperary native Claire Fennessey in succession to Michael Hayes.  Claire joined the P.P.U.I. as the organisation’s new national Coaching and Development Administrator on June 3.  Claire switches from Swim Ireland where she has operated as an Administrator since June 2001.

 

Claire graduated from University College Dublin in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree.  She then completed a four-year Degree course in Sports and Exercise Sciences at the University of Limerick, majoring in Exercise Physiology, Sports Psychology, Biomechanics and Sports Applications.

 

Claire has previously worked with the Defence Forces School of Physical Culture at the Curragh Camp in Kildare where she conducted research and surveys and lectured cadets as part of their physical training course.    She has taught Physical Education at High School CBS in her native Clonmel and also worked as an Administrator with the Irish Amateur Rowing Union.

 

Claire has a keen interest in rowing.  While she was at University, she was a member of UCD Ladies Boat Club, winning the Colours Boat Race and two university championships in 1995.  She was awarded the UCD Blue in 1995, which recognised her rowing achievements and her contribution to University sport as a whole.  Nowadays, Claire is a member of Commercial Rowing club and has represented the club internationally.  In 2002, Claire won the Intermediate Rowing Championship of Ireland with the club.  She has umpired Regatta events throughout the country and has held the position of Race Secretary with the Trinity Regatta since 1999.  This event has undergone a major revival in fortunes in the past three years due the involvement of Claire and fellow graduates who have put the event on a sound business footing.

 

Claire was chairperson of the Organising Committee for the 1998 Plassey 10K-road race.  The Committee delivered a very efficient sponsorship and fundraising programme, which raised significant revenue to the Share A Dream Foundation. 

 

Claire holds IRFU Rugby Coaching Certification – Introductory and Level One.  She is a House of Sport “old hand”, having worked with I.A.R.U. and Swim Ireland.  With her extensive sports experience, she will be an immense asset to the P.P.U.I. Coaching and Development effort.  Brimming with ideas for Pitch and Putt, Claire will work closely with the new Coaching Development and Training Committee.  We welcome Claire aboard and wish her well.    

 

NATIONAL PITCH AND PUTT WEEK

 

In an effort to promote the game of Pitch and Putt to a wider audience, the Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland designated Sunday 8th June - Sunday 15th June as National Pitch and Putt Week.

Over thirty Pitch and Putt Clubs:

·         Made their course available to the public at the specific times on the day(s)

·         Had club personnel available to instruct the participants in the basic technique of the game

·         Ensured that they had sufficient playing equipment available for use by participants

 

The initiative was very successful and delivered a number of new members for the clubs concerned.

 

SCHOOLS PROGRAMMES

 

Plans to introduce the sport of Pitch and Putt to primary schoolchildren in the Leinster region have made good progress. The methodology consists of a six session programme combining both indoor (at the schools) and outdoor (at the courses) sessions. The participating schoolchildren received tuition in the basic skills i.e. grip, stance, swing, pitching, putting and bunker play – of the sport and also on the rules and etiquette associated with the sport. Each session lasts for a maximum period of 1½ hours. At the conclusion of the programme each participating schoolchild received a suitably inscribed certificate and information pack on the sport and the local club.

The Castlepollard, Collinstown and Delvin progeamme in the Westmeath area under the stewardship of Joe Bray. Larry Doyle of C.P.M. assisted by Michael Hayes worked with Scoil Talbot which is a very large primary school situated in the village of Clondalkin.

Leinster Competition Secretary, Jim Finglas has been beavering away in the Drogheda area and s identified a number of schools who wish to become involved in the programme. Jim and Eddie O’Keeffe are ran sessions in the following areas – Carstown, Channonrock, Clogherhead, Dillonstown, Drogheda and Termonfeckin. Cement, Channonrock  and Seapoint clubs will be involved here in the programme.

Recently re-affiliated club, Inniskeen in County Monaghan are also involved with their local N.S. – St. Daigh’s thanks to the efforts of Eleanor Mulholland and Charlie Byrne.  

Bellewstown and Longmeadows, Ballyfermot are on board also.

Steven Enneguess has completed comprehensive coaching courses in a number of primary and secondary schools in the Munster area.

 

 

STRATEGIC PLAN

Progress on the P.P.U.I. Strategic Plan 2003 - 2005 ("Our Sport - Planning for the Future") took another major step forward on Saturday 12 April.  The new Committees who will run the game nationally in association with the new National Executive Council (NEC) were launched at Dublin's Sheldon Park Hotel.  Dedicated and able people will populate the four groups - PR and Marketing, Competitions, Handicaps and Coaching, Training and Development.  The Committees will liaise closely with the County Boards and clubs and of course there will be the Annual mid year Review Forum

 

NEW COACHES

A coaching course to integrate our international squad members as coaches is underway in conjunction with the international trials at Lakeside and McDonagh.  The idea is that the leading players will act as coaches in some of the weaker counties.

 

PITCH AND PUTT ON TV

The Irish matchplay championships received considerable coverage on the national TV channel Network 2

Craig Richards (who hopes to build a Pitch and Putt course in Christchurch, New Zealand) will visit Ireland in the week commencing 30 June to visit Pitch and Putt courses and hold discussions with P.P.U.I. officials.

 

Also visiting Ireland shortly will be Mr. Vladislav Timerbulatov (Vice President) and Mr. Roland Pollak (Director of Development) of the Konti Corporation.  The Corporation intend to construct a course in Moscow and form the Russian Pitch and Putt Association.

 

There is encouraging news too from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

 

EPPA now has a website.  See it in draft form at www.iol.ie/ppui/eppa/eppa.htm

 

 

 

 

GLENVILLE, JUNE 25 – 27 2003

 

PITCH AND PUTT IN THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD SUMMER GAMES 2003

 

3)  British News

 

In March we held the Annual General Meeting of the BPPA following the first leg of the Triangular Club Competition at Abbotsley.  Following the resignations of June Van Eyssen, Hazel Brunnen and Stephen Woodman, John and Steve Deeble from Dagenham were voted on and welcomed as new committee members.  The Committee now comprises the following:-

                President                                                                             Doreen Powell

                Secretary/Membership Secretary                    Pat Jackson

                Treasurer                                                                             Brian Jackson

Handicap Secretary                                                           Graham Powell

Committee members                                                          John Deeble

                                                                                                              Steve Deeble

British Championships

 

These were held on 1^st June at Abbotsley.  I would like to congratulate John Deeble, from Dagenham, on becoming the new Men’s Champion with a score of 104 for 36 holes, Cath Cowcill from John O’Gaunt on 117, the new Ladies Champion and Daniel Landers, a 15 year old from Dagenham, on 111, who becomes Junior Champion.

 

European Championships, 11^th to 14^th September – Dublin

14 members from our three main clubs have been competing for six places in the British Team to go to Dublin in September for the three day European Championships. 

The BPPA Selection Committee has watched results and studied performances over the three triangular matches, club competitions and other events.  All competitors have worked very hard to produce their best scores and have been a credit to their sport.

As announced at the British Championships the team is as follows:-

 

                Captain                                 John Deeble                         Central Park, Dagenham

                                                                              Steve Deeble                        Central Park, Dagenham

                                                                              Bill Leach                              Central Park, Dagenham

                                                                              Robert Penzes                      Centenary Park, Harrow

                                                                              Blaise Fernandes Centenary Park, Harrow

                                                                              Geoff Unwin                         Abbotsley

 

                Reserve and Team Manager             Savio Fernandes  Centenary Park, Harrow

                Assistant Team Manager  Brian Jackson                      Centenary Park, Harrow

 

We were made very welcome when we held a training day at Letchworth Family Golf Centre and more training sessions are to be arranged before we leave for Ireland.

 

Doreen Powell, President BPPA

4)  Dutch (S)election EC 2003

 

We heard in the last few years the Catalans and Irish complain a little bit about selections for international tournaments.  For us there were no problems.  We just sent out the best 5 or 6 –whatever needed- from the one and only course we had!  And luckily enough there was no question about these best 6 players.  But now we slowly begin to understand what it is like and we also start looking for the best, most honest and clear way to select.

 

For this year’s EC we asked the best 25 players -and out of a 100 it is not possible to overlook anyone -to be sure we give anyone who is capable of a surprise the chance to compete.  But on the other hand we don’t want to be in Ireland with someone who did his best round ones at the right moment, so we thought of playing 4 (!) tournaments until mid April.  After two 36 hole selection tournaments -with one on a course with the exact distances of  Mc Donagh and with 3 clubs- only 9 players made the cut to the last two 54 hole tournaments.  To be clear: the Dutch Champion of 2002 Patrick Luning was automatically in the team and the leader of the ranking, Rolf Kwant, had played himself in the team because he finished first in the two selection-matches.

 

In the 3rd tournament something new happened.  At 54 hole region-tournaments in Holland in the past few years players out of the group of 9 always were at the best 18 players to go into the final round.  But the group formerly known as “the group behind the best 6” closed in. Today anyone out of the ranking-top 35 is capable of reaching the final-round or top ten.  That is very good news, but not for Herma Olthuis (best lady) and Jos Mentink (in the team at EC 2001).  They played the same score as the number 17 and 18, but ended up not playing the final round because of a worse last round… On top of that one of the best talents - Gertjan Dekker missed the game and could only hope for a wildcard.

 

So, only 6 players went to the last tournament with 4 places in the team. There were no surprises in the last tournament and, therefore, we proudly present in September in Ireland a team with talent and experience.  Three players already played the former two EC’s (Olthuis, Kwant and Luning) and the other three are coming stars.  Steven Edwards is Dutch Matchplay Champion of last year (also at club level at Pitch & Putt and Golf), and the two friends -and tennis players at a high amateur-level- Rene Bloem and Rene Palsma.  The first Rene won a ranking-tournament this year with –11 over 3 rounds and the second Rene was the runner-up in the selection behind Rolf Kwant.

 

Every week the team comes together at one of the courses to practise, talk and play matchplay games against a club team.  We consider this is good preparation but we know the Irish are the masters in the game;  we lost this year to Catalunya with 15 to 1;  the Italians and Norwegian have very low handicap golf players;  France beat us twice at the E.C.; San Marino play free of pressure and the English are born with green golfing blood… We’ll meet in September!

 

Erik Jorritsma

5)  A Letter from Germany

 

Dear Brian,

 

Having read your E-mail about your "EPPA News" Info magazine, I thought it would make sense to contact you. The company I work with could be the ideal partner for new investors !  I spoke this morning to the German Golf Federation to find out if they had positive views on Pitch and Putt.  They told me that they were very keen on the idea of expanding the sport within Germany.  I am sure that Deutsche Golf Consult could bring important experience for potential investors.  Maybe a small piece in your magazine could bring us closer together.

 

Deutsche Golf Consult are one of the leading Golf Architect and Design Companies in Germany and have been following the growth of Pitch and Putt in Europe with interest and feel that the sport will certainly develop dramatically throughout Europe in the next decade. The Company has over 25 years experience in Golf Course Architecture and Design and have been involved in International projects in more than 15 countries worldwide.

DGC are very interested in being involved in the development and construction of Pitch and Putt courses in Germany and other parts of Europe. We truly believe that there are great possibilities in the advancement of the Sport because of the reduced land requirements in comparison with a standard Golf Course.

 

If we could be of assistance to you or your Federation, please feel free to contact us. Please keep in touch.

 

Yours sincerely

Deutsche Golf Consult Sabinastraße 27 D-45136 Essen Tel. : 0201-25881 Fax: 0201-250888

Email: goep.dgc@cityweb.de website: www.goep-la.de

 

 

 

6)  News from Russia

 

Moscow's  first Pitch & Putt Club is soon going to be opened.

 

The construction work started by the Konti Group of Companies is underway in the high-class residential area of Pokrovskoye - Glebovo. 

 

Finance and construction of Moscow's first Pitch & Putt course are provided by the Konti group of companies.  The project was originated by Mr Timur Timerbulatov, President of the Konti Group.  The total area of the Pitch & Putt course is 4.2 hectares, whereas the total area of the golf course is 1.3 hectares (sic).

 

The new recreation area is to be opened within the high-class residential area of Pokrovskoye-Glebovo located on the bank of the Kchimkinskoye reservoir in the vicinity of Moscow's center.

 

Pitch & Putt and tennis facilities will be offered to the club members as well as a wharf, well-equipped for a wide variety of water sports.

 

Members of the club will be able to enjoy a traditional Russian banya (sauna).

Comfortable club premises and open-air grounds are planned to be available for festivals.

 

An underground heating system will help to extend the golf playing season to nine months in the local climate.

 

Spectacular Ice Golf festivals are planned to be held in winter on the frozen surface of the over 50 hectares water reservoir.

 

The Konti Group of Companies is going to promote the Pitch & Putt game throughout Russia. A golf training school will be part of the services to be offered within the Pokrovskoye-Glebovo residential complex.

 

Making plans of the Pokrovskoye - Glebovo estate, the Konti Group was guided by the desire to restore the Russian estate traditions to revive the atmosphere of the age that passed away. These days, the Konti group of companies is setting up totally new quality and philosophy of life standards.

 

Information: Established in 1992, the Konti Group of Companies, is engaged in construction of multi-storey and smaller apartment buildings as well as in construction of hotels and countryside cottages.

 

 

7)  DIARY OF THE 2003 FRENCH OPEN

     by Stephen O’Leary

 

A few months ago, I read an article in Backspin, a publication by the PPUI, detailing the French Open tournament to be held in Montpellier in France in March 2003.  It sounded like a great event but there were few details and so I got in touch with the tournament organiser, Mr John Hudson, and requested more information.  He sent me a very detailed e-mail, outlining all that was involved, the structure of the tournament, the course, accommodation and costs.  There were to be more than 100 players competing, half of whom were French, with a number of Irish, British, Catalonian, Dutch, Spanish and Italian players also in attendance.  A feast of European Pitch and Putt was guaranteed.

 

It was going to be a great tournament, and I definitely wanted to be a part of it. However, with the costs involved, I knew that I would need some form of sponsorship. I began to approach local businesses, albeit at short notice, in the hope of securing funding.  Luckily, The Corner House agreed to partially sponsor me, and without their generous support I may not have been able to make the trip.  I booked my flights on March 6^th and began to prepare.

 

The following Wednesday, I flew from Cork to London, and on Thursday evening I flew from Stanstead to Montpellier.  On this flight I met a large number of the British team, and it turned out that we were to stay at the same hotel.  We were met by a coach in Montpellier and taken to our accommodation.  John greeted us at the hotel and welcomed us to the competition. After a quick briefing, we checked in and I went to bed, exhausted from the travelling.

 

I woke the next morning to sunshine beaming in through the window of my room.  This was the life!  After a fantastic breakfast, (the hotel had a gorgeous continental buffet) I walked the 100 yards to the golf club and registered. I met a few of the British players and we went out for a practice round.  My first view of the course took my breath away.  A lake on the left flanked the pathway to the first tee and sunshine sparkled on the water.  Everything seemed very relaxed, no one rushing, everyone just enjoying the beautiful weather and surroundings.

 

The course itself was unlike anything I had ever played before.  For a start, the teeing area was grass, unlike the mats, or tee boxes, which most Irish players are used to.  The holes were longer than in Ireland, with some measuring 85 meters. As a result, competitors were permitted to play with three clubs, unlike the standard two used in this country.  So, in addition to my sand wedge and putter, I brought my pitching wedge for the longer distances. The greens were immaculate, and much faster than those at home at this time of the year, as I found out when I put my first putt 6 feet past the pin!  They were also much more comparable to golf greens in size, with thirty or forty foot putts not uncommon.  However, the greens were true, and you knew that if you missed a putt, it was due to a bad stroke, not the course.

 

My first practice round gave me a feel for the terrain, and it was tough. I found myself struggling for pars, and being quite happy to get them on many holes. I quickly realised that it was going to take a different mental approach as well as a different physical one, if I was going to compete successfully.

 

The clubhouse had a very spacious restaurant and bar, and the lunch was fantastic. I played my second practice round in the afternoon, this time with some French players, one of whom was an international member in Waterville Golf Club, Co Kerry.  They were very friendly and my efforts at speaking French were encouraged.  They told me about the region, the weather we were to expect and how the course was normally set up.  We were playing a slightly different course, so as to conform to European Pitch and Putt rules. We reached the eighteenth as the sun began to set, and after returning to the Hotel, I ventured into the town for some dinner.

 

With a 09:32 tee time on Saturday, I decided to get an early night. I slept well, and woke around seven the next morning.  Another fantastic breakfast followed, and by 08.30 I was at the course.  At this stage, another difference between the Irish and European game emerged. Practice was permitted on a putting green, something that is not allowed in Irish competition.

 

I started steadily with three pars, holing an eight footer on the first, after a poor tee shot. Following a birdie and a bogey, I turned level par, and relatively happy. My two playing partners, a Catalonian gentleman and a French lady, were having mixed fortunes.  He was four over, while she was also level par. I dropped two shots coming in, ironically on holes that I expected to play well on. I signed for a two over 56 and returned to the clubhouse a little dejected. I  hadn’t played that badly and yet two over sounded terrible.  I decided to wait for the rest of the scores to come in.

 

The weather changed with rain falling in the afternoon.  By 16.30, when all the competitors were finished, my score didn’t seem too bad.  I was thirteenth, tied with a number of other players on two over par.  Level par was leading and two players, one another Irishman, Alan Hanlon from Westmeath, shared that score.  He is a fine player and it didn’t surprise me in the least to see his name at the top of the leader board.  He was going to be tough to catch, but nothing was impossible.

 

That evening, there was a gala dinner in the clubhouse and most of the competitors attended. Once again the food was magnificent and it was a great opportunity to mingle with the foreign players and make new contacts.  There was a real buzz about the place; I think people were excited to be connected with the competition.  The Irish players and officials returned to the hotel after the meal and we exchanged stories, few of which had anything to do with pitch and putt!  As I sat and listened, I really began to appreciate the opportunity I had been given.  Here I was, sitting with friends, in a foreign country, playing a sport I loved.

 

The tee-times on Sunday were calculated in relation to the scores posted on the Saturday, the players with the best scores playing last.  I was out in the fourth last group and started well, draining a six-footer on the second for birdie.  I was playing steadily until the seventh, which I bogeyed, followed by another on the ninth.  Suddenly, I was 3 over for the tournament with only nine holes to play.  It was make or break time.

 

A great pitch on the 10^th left me with a six-footer for birdie. I left it on the lip and began to wonder if this was going to be one of those days.  The turning point occurred on the 11^th.  A short tee shot left me with a 25ft chip over a grass bunker onto a lightning fast green.  The ball checked on the fringe and then rolled all the way into the cup.  That really got me pumped up! I stitched the next tee shot to four feet, and tapped in for my second successive birdie.  I pitched the next to six feet but missed the putt.  My momentum stopped, I then bogeyed the next.  It seemed as if all my hard work had been in vain.

 

I stood on the 16^th tee, level par for the day, and knowing that if I was going to have any chance of finishing in the top 10 then I needed to birdie two of the last three holes.  I then pitched the 16^th and 17^th to five and six feet respectively, and two putts later I walking to the 18^th level for the tournament and two-under for the day.  I two putted the last for a par and was greeted by the now growing crowd surrounding the 18^th green.  I felt happy, that I had at least finished well and should be guaranteed a good position on the leader board.  I was surprised when I found out that I was the leader in the clubhouse with just three more groups to come in.  My thoughts slowly began to turn from top 10 to possibly winning.

 

As the penultimate group walked from the 18^th green, it was clear that if my score was going to be beaten it would be by a player in the last group.  And sure enough, Alan Hanlon came off the last green level par. We were tied. There was to be a play-off.

 

My mind began to race.  I had gone from believing that the tournament was out of reach to being one hole away from winning it.  We made our way to the 18^th tee box for a sudden death play-off.  We tossed a coin to decide who would pitch first.  Heads it was, and up I stepped. I hit my tee-shot well, but left myself with a ten-foot putt.  Alan pitched to seven feet.  We both missed our putts and tapped in for pars.  Back to the tee box we walked.  I pitched a worse tee-shot this time, leaving at least a thirteen footer.  Alan was a similar distance to the last time.  My putt slipped past, but so did Alan’s.  We were going to have to play it again.  I had a really good shot this time and left myself a five footer up the hill.  Alan missed his putt, and so my fate was in my own hands. I attacked the putt but pushed it right, and this was reflected by the groan of the crowd as I left myself a four footer back down the hill for par.  That was probably the toughest putt I holed all weekend.  However it also meant we had to play a forth tie hole.  I pitched another good ball to about six feet, with Alan landing about eight feet from the flag.  His putt stopped agonisingly on the upper lip of the cup.  I steadied myself and struck my birdie putt.

 

The ball seemed to roll in slow motion. About two feet from the cup I knew it was good, and I roared.  As it disappeared into the hole a wave of relief came over me... and the magnitude of my achievement began to hit home. I was the French Open Champion.  Sweet!

 

The presentation took place in the clubhouse, and I managed to scribble a few lines of French on to a piece of paper beforehand.  The crowd were fantastic and as poor as my French was, they really appreciated the effort.  Photographs were taken, stories of what-ifs were exchanged, and I floated on air for the rest of the evening.  I ‘phoned family and friends, and around 8.00pm we returned to the hotel to pack our bags.  As the plane took off I looked out over Montpellier and knew that this was one French city I would never forget.  Roll on 2004............

 

Reproduced by the kind permission of the author, Stephen O’Leary, and John Manning, the editor of ‘Backspin’, the official magazine of the PPUI

 8)  An End Piece to the French Open

 

The BPPA had 13 attendees at the French Open 15/16 March, all but two playing – Pat and I didn’t arrive in time for the practice day, as we returned to England from our son’s wedding in Australia only the day before.  Whilst in Australia I had suggested by e-mail to John Hudson (the principal organiser of the event) that we incorporate an impromptu team event, to which he replied with the following two laconic comments as to what was wrong with the suggestion:

 

(1)  It wasn’t thought of earlier.

(2)  He hadn’t thought of it himself!

 

On arrival at Montpellier late the night before the competition, we were amazed to see that 13 ad hoc teams had been organised to run concurrently with the individual Open Championship.

 

Elsewhere you will read a full account by the eventual individual winner of the French Open, reproduced by kind permission of the author, Stephen O’Leary and by John Manning, Editor of ‘Backspin’ the official magazine of the P.P.U.I.

 

 

TEAM FINISHING POSITION         TEAM NAME

1                                                             Team ACPP (FR)

2                                                             Languedoc  (FR)

3                                                             Team Catsur  (CAT)

4                                                             GB Motley  (GB)

5                                                             Hollcatnoraq  (COMPOSITE)

6                                                             Magic French BT  (FR)

7                                                             Mont GB Mix 2003  (GB)

8                                                             Italia San Marino  (IT)

9                                                             N Auvergnats  (FR)

10                                                           Team Ctaxpetrs  (CAT)

11                                                           Les Cathares  (FR)

12                                                           Catmillor  (CAT)

13                                                           Team Ireland  (IRE)

 

At the presentation ceremony Stephen O’Leary won many admirers by making his acceptance speech in French.  I also tried a short impromptu speech in French, but my confidence in my French speaking ability had been somewhat shaken!  During the Sunday round, when asked whose turn it was to putt, I replied:  ”Ca m’est egal”, only to receive the reply (from my French lady playing partner): “It’s about half past ten”.

 

Suffice to say everyone had a great time. So “Thank you” John Hudson and Bernard Dinnat and all your helpers.

 

A final incident at Montpellier airport on the way back might be worth recording as a warning to future international travellers with golf clubs in their luggage.  Ryanair, very cunningly, don’t charge for clubs upon leaving – presumably this is in case you say on hearing the charge:  “In that case I won’t take the clubs”.  We found that they DO charge 24 euros as you check in to return!

 

Pat and I queried this charge, as we had not had to pay at Stansted.  The Mademoiselle at the excess baggage counter was most unhelpful in her explanation and said “Sort it out with Ryanair at Stansted”.  To further this suggestion we asked for the young lady’s name, whereupon she reversed her ID badge, then telephoned through to have us excluded from the flight!

 

Picture the scene:  10.30 pm in an almost closed airport, no taxis left outside, the ‘plane about to depart, no superior airline official around, janitor jangling the keys, ready to lock up!  Scary!  I went back to the original check-in desk and tried a grovelling apology for daring to query the charge. The power of a check-in clerk at that time was frightening, we were regarded as Senior delinquents!

 

Meanwhile an English speaking French lady had witnessed the whole scene and spoke up for us.  Reluctantly, the excess baggage Mademoiselle reinstated us on the flight.  We couldn’t relax until the Ryanair flight took off, with us upon it.

 

So be warned pitch & putt colleagues, never argue with a French airport official, however junior, you may end up on Devil’s Island!

 

Brian Jackson.

 

PS Did you hear about the distinguished and respected EPPA official who was arrested whilst trying to board an Air France ‘plane in Paris, bound for Montpellier? And it was all due to an Air France mistake!

9)  I.T.M.A! (It’s that man again!):  John Hudson

 

O'Leary does it again!!

 

Stephen O'Leary managed to find the finances, the time and the know-how to get himself over to Rome for the Italian Open in late June.

 

Despite the inherent difficulty of the course and the stifling heat, Stephen recorded two steady rounds of 57 to take the title with a four shot lead over Antonio Trasforini, the 2002 French Open champion. His Italian suffered a little in his victory speech from the heat and the emotion but he promised to improve it by next year when he returns to defend his title. If Gary Player is known as 'the ambassador of golf", this young Irishmen seems determined to become "the ambassador of Pitch and Putt" !