FIPPA Newsletter - April 2008.
Welcome to this edition of the FIPPA Newsletter.
JOAN PERICH – CATALAN INTERNATIONAL PLAYER
REFLECTIONS ON A HISTORIC WEEKEND
Joan Perich made his international debut against Ireland at Platja d'Aro. And what a debut! Here is Joan's captivating account of a tour de force by eight Catalans.
One of my main concerns, indeed trepidations leading up to the Catalonia vs. Ireland match was to what extent my legs would be shaking when the official Starter called out my name on the first Tee. In fact, this was a factor that a veteran member of the national team confided to me, a rookie, as one of the secrets of international competition. I mention this, because quite frankly, this is what worried me most of all. Could it happen, that after training for so long, when it was my turn to hit my first shot, that I would turn into jelly. I had thought about this possibility several times.
Now that it is all over, I must confess that I guess I wasn’t nervous at all. I guess that once I got my ‘passport’ to join the team, I lapsed into a state of relaxation similar to a state of mild inebriation. The reality of the occasion, was in fact a different matter; beginning with being with the team on the night before the match when I rediscovered the thrills of table-football, but especially the marvellous, magic rapport among the members of the team: the worst was a pretty sleepless night.
And then, Saturday, shortly after 10 am, still groggy – the ‘dreaded’ announcement: “on the Tee, representing Catalonia, Joan Perich.
No problem. In Foursomes we tee off alternately, and I don’t know why, but my friend Salva Garangou took the responsibility to play first. So why such jitters? Gone ! ….. Yes we lost, true, but we did feel that we could have won. And others on the team had the very same sensation.
Joan Perich
In any case the show must go on, and just after 1 pm Toni Lloret announced his familiar … “on the Tee, representing Catalonia …”
And even then no sign of the dreaded nerves. Fourballs can be a very agreeable game, especially if you’re playing in partnership with a crack player. I guess I was pretty confident that if my tee shot wasn’t great, Salva would make up for it.
4-4 at the end of the day. That result in itself justified the entire competition. That night I slept well, and by all accounts so did my team mates. (48 hours of insomnia can play havoc with your game). It was clear that the Catalans got up on the Sunday with a clear head and fully relaxed.
Strangely enough, still no sign of nervousness. Not because by then I had already played two international matches. And not because I had already played against Darren O’ Reilly in the fourballs. After all, the lad (a brilliant competitor) was no longer extra-terrestrial. What I was worried about was the excited tension of the gallery between the two first fairways. Especially on the 2nd green, surrounded by 50 or 70 spectators and supporters, I can assure you that my putter weighed like a bag of cement. But the game went well, the day went in my favour, and the dream came true with such clarity. it defied belief.
The Irish players, such icons of the sport, meant that the epic achievement was nothing less that fantastic. To go down in history is a priceless award. Nothing will be the same again since that day – for any of us.
As for me, I had the immense privilege to play a part in such an event, nearing the end of my playing career, a gift I will not forget for as long as I live.
“On the Tee, representing Catalonia … a happy man.
Joan Perich
March 2008
(with Martin Whitelaw)
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