From Dublin, Ireland
JOINT EPPA/FIPPA COUNCIL MEETING
CLARION AIRPORT HOTEL, DUBLIN, IRELAND
FRIDAY 3, SATURDAY 4 JULY 2009
New Constitutions for EPPA and FIPPA
The delegates in attendance unanimously voted in favour of the proposed new Constitutions. The new Constitution is now posted on the FIPPA site. The world body will in future be known as the International Pitch and Putt Federation, but the acronym will remain FIPPA.
Reports from member associations
Catalonia
Recession is impacting the sport and relevant issues will require careful attention. ACPP/FCPP continue to promote the EPPA/FIPPA distances. 75% of clubs have permanent EPPA/FIPPA tees. Ladies and seniors sections have great potential for development. ACPP/FCPP now has a full-time Secretary General - Toni Lloret and five full-time staff. Elections will take place shortly. Jose-Maria will not seek re-election as President.
Germany
Six Clubs havejoined our association and are now offering discounted green fees for DPPV members to play Pitch & Putt on their courses. We are currently negotiating with about 7 more clubs about a DPPV membership and discount rates for our members. Martin Whitelaw has offered to visit Germany and his report will be important when we consider DPPV for full membership.
USA
John Hoover reported by phone. He has built his own course at a cost of $2.5 million. One other short course is a member of the US Association. John is attempting to influence other courses to join but the golf influence is strong. John's wife is also a keen Pitch and Put player. USPPA would like to hold an international open in the autumn of 2010.
China
Martin Whitelaw reported on the 2009 China Open. Competition was held on a very nice course near the centre of Beijing. Course has only recently been inaugurated and is in excellent condition. Course and competition complied with FIPPA requirements. Four TV cameras and a number of journalists attended. Media attention was probably out of proportion to the numbers playing. CPPA hope to stage an international open every May. CPPA were grateful for the support of FIPPA President and Secretariat.
PPUI
Championships are progressing. The Matchplay draw was live on the web. The live scoreboard during the National Matchplay was very well received. PPUI are delighted that the famous Tipperary Hills course has been re-opened. Plans for the Irish Open are well advanced.
NPPB
Two new courses have already opened in 2009 and a further two courses will open later in the year. This weekend, Koekange will welcome it's 200,000th visitor in 11 years and the event is being marked with TV coverage,. Recession is having an impact - there are some positives and some negatives. NPPB has a new Board. There are two Presidents - Fred Pachter and Joep Van Mourik. Pitch and Putt Support have set-up a new competition. It has been hastily put together - the final will be held at Papendal.
Andorra
The Andorran Association is a separate legal entity from ACPP and FCPP but there is an oral agreement of mutual collaboration that will now be put in writing. ACPP is helping mainly with the day-to-day management of the handicap system, at least during an initial period. New President Mireia Baux is a very strong personality. FAPP has 300 members. The Andorran Strokeplay championships were played recently - over EPPA and FIPPA distances.
Norway
NPPF has one new member and probably an other joining us soon. NPPF has a total of 10 member courses now. Kristornskogen will host the first “Norwegian Western Region Tournament” on 16th of August.
New FIPPA Board Members
John Hoover (USA) and Joep Van Mourik (NPPB) were elected.
As elections will be held in 2010, it was decided to leave the third vacancy unfilled.
First ideas on 2010 Opens
March 2010 - Catalan Open, Mas Pages.
May 2010 - China Open
June/July 2010 - Swiss Open, Locarno (one hour from Milan).
August/September 2010 - USA Open
September 2010 - European Team Championship
South American Latin Event - Chile - date to be confirmed
Meeting agreed that 1 September 2009 will be the latest date to make an application to hold a FIPPA approved open in 2010.
Members of EPPA/FIPPA associations wishing to play in non EPPA/FIPPA Opens
Meeting agreed a resolution along the following lines.
"Only players affiliated to a member association of EPPA or FIPPA is entitled to participate in any international championship or international open held under the auspices of EPPA and/or FIPPA. Should player affiliated to a member association of EPPA or FIPPA participate in any international championship or international open held under the auspices of an association (other than EPPA and/or FIPPA), claiming to promote international Pitch and Putt or organise international Pitch and Putt competition, he or she will forfeit the entitlement to participate in any international championship or international open held under the auspices of EPPA and/or FIPPA for twelve calendar months from the date of participation."
FIPPA Rules
Martin Whitelaw provided details of the work he has been co-ordinating. Martin has received submissions for improvements from APPA, Brigitte Albisetti (SPPA) and the Dutch referees. He is awaiting a document from the Catalan referees. He has reservations about the submission from the Dutch referees (which largely seek the R&A rules with minor differences). 15 September is deadline for receipt of submissions. Martin will then circulate details to the Board and Councils for comment. The objective is to present a new rule book on 01 January 2010.
FIPPA/EPPA Webs
Thanks were expressed to the FIPPA ASG and to Renze Hasper for their work on the respective webs.
Next Meeting
Informal meetings in Dublin during the Irish Open on 11-13 September. Agreed to a NPPF suggestion that meeting would not be scheduled on competition days. Full day (uninterrupted by competitions, practise, opening ceremonies or functions) should be available for meetings. Full meetings of EPPA and FIPPA in Catalonia in March 2010 on the Friday before the Catalan Open at Mas Pages. Elections will be held.
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