FIPPA Newsletter - August 2006.
Welcome to the first FIPPA Newsletter.
James Carroll - Winner - French Open 2006
Aspiring lawyer James Carroll couldn’t resist making the trip to the 2006 French Open. “It provided me with an opportunity to play in a major international Open where I could pit myself against the best in Europe. Obviously, it was a great chance to go to France for the first time and myself, Ian Farrelly and Anto Kavanagh went together.”
Aside from the above mentioned Meath Inter-County players and experienced international campaigner Alan Hanlon, Carroll was impressed by two non Irish competitors at La Grende Motte. “The two Norwegian brothers, William and Edvard Halte, were very solid. One was on a golf scholarship in America. They have very consistent swings and obviously work hard on their games. They are quite aggressive putters."
Asked if there was a particular turning point in his French Open victory, James ponders a couple of alternatives. “I know this may sound strange but I think it was my consistency throughout the whole three rounds. I only had two fours altogether, one in the first round and one in the third round. However, the putt from out of the inch-long rough at the back of the 18th was the real turning point. Alan Hanlon had an uphill six foot putt from the fringe to go to seven under and I looked in trouble sitting on seven under, but I sank mine and he missed his so we finished eight and six under, respectively.”
The Castletown, County Meath native enjoyed the whole Montpelier experience. “La Grande Motte was THE best Pitch and Putt course I have played on. I know my friends in Castletown won't be impressed with me saying that but it truly was! The facilities were first class, the hotel was super and the course was always in perfect condition. The greens were big and quick. One minor criticism was that we were teeing off grass and by the end of the third day, they were fairly cut up. The event was extremely, professionally organized. We were always treated with courtesy. There were prizes for the top ten, big name major sponsors and the local mayor giving out the prizes.”
The timing of the 2007 French Open will dictate whether there will be a title defence. “I would love to (defend) and will try to. But I am doing my university finals exams in Law at University College Dublin in May next year and if the tournament is like this year at the end of April, I won't be able to go.”
The 2006 French Open champion does not intend to rest on his international laurels. ”I played at San Marino last year and would like to play more international opens. Playing in other international Opens is not just great fun but an opportunity to pit yourself against the best in Europe. Finally, they are just a change of type of competition and competitor.”
James Carroll has a number of goals and “would love to get on the Irish panel for the international team's trials but unless I climb back up the rankings, I haven't a hope. I have not earned as many ranking points this year as I had this time last year. As a result, I have slipped from 16th to 29th in the National Rankings.”
Quizzed as to what needs to be done to revitalise the sport in Ireland, last year’s fourth placed finisher in the National Strokeplay has much to say. The viewpoint of most interest to fippa.net readers is probably the following. “We need to move to the EPPA/FIPPA type of courses. 90 metres in length. Bigger greens. This would be a monumental change in Pitch and Putt in Ireland but it is needed otherwise we will continue to haemorrhage players to golf. However, if we had this type of course with improved facilities, like La Grande Motte, an excellent prototype, golfers would stay playing at our courses as there would be super practice facilities. A consequence of this would be that they would be more likely to play in course competitions and thus, Pitch and Putt clubs can keep and increase members.”
James Carroll is very proud of his Royal Meath Irish Strokeplay performance in July 2005 when he improved from joint fourteenth with a round to go to secure the last exempt slot for this year’s Strokeplay. My scores for the three rounds were 51, 46, 45 = 20 under. I was two under after five for my three rounds and five under for eleven holes in my three rounds. My 45 was pure concentration and solid putting. I simply could not believe that I would finish fourth. It was when the next four players came in that I saw I was still clubhouse leader and thinking I might finish tenth, then eighth, then sixth and when Paul O'Brien missed his putt on the 54th, I had secured fourth (on the final eighteen).”
Which players on the Irish circuit does he admire? “Sean Downes for being so consistent for so long. Ray Murphy because he is another player who seems to always play at such a high level the whole time.” Carroll has played alongside Downes (nominated Player of the 20th century by ‘Backspin’ magazine in 2000) in team events. What’s his take on a legend? “I get on well with him. I wouldn't know him very well to go for pints with him but he is very nice to play with. But not against!”
Not surprisingly, the current President of UCD Students' Union nominates Castletown as his favourite course in Ireland. What’s its secret? “A full-time course manager. Plain and simple. One who is extremely talented also, obviously.” His other favourites are Erry, Lakeside, Laytown, Seapoint and Tullamore.
He is convinced that global Pitch and Putt has a bright future. “Absolutely, the game seems to be growing internationally each year I have been aware of it. A co-ordinating, centralised body (like EPPA or FIPPA) is a great resource. Ireland seems to dominate championships at the moment but if Catalan Pitch and Putt continues in the rich vein it is in, they will soon be Kings of Europe.”
James has never played in Catalonia but would love to. A personable young man, he enhances Pitch and Putt by his presence and is another convert to the international game.
(by John Manning)
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