FIPPA Newsletter - December 2007.
Welcome to this edition of the FIPPA Newsletter.
JO G BRAND (NORWAY)
Jo Godbrand Brand (to give him his full title) is Norway’s big Pitch and Putt pioneer. Previously a chicken farmer, he decided some time ago to convert his land into Norway’s first purpose built 18 holes Pitch and Putt course. The course is reported to be quite spectacular with holes ranging from 35 metres in length to the maximum 90 metres. Jo took some time out from his responsibilities as non-playing captain of the Norway team at ETC V to speak to www.fippa.net.
Q1. You must be very proud of your new course?
The course at Drammen is complete at a cost of €2m. It has 18 holes and has attracted 1,500 players, many travelling long distances to reach the course. The course has received good publicity on TV and the newspapers – the phrase “The New Turbo Golf” has been coined. Many of the 1,500 players are returning for multiple visits and the number of competitions will increase as a result. We also have a café and bar, a driving range (with outdoor and indoor bays), a mini green for children, practice bunkers and indoor golf simulators (for Norway’s long winters).
Q2. Sum up the state of Pitch and Putt in Norway
The activity in Norway could have been better in the last year. We have a little problem getting new courses to join us. Our economy is bad and because of this we have problems with the level of activity. But with the new 18 hole course “Imjelt Pitch & Putt” outside Drammen we hope and believe that activity and publicity around Pitch and Putt in Norway will increase in the future, Our web site www.pitch-putt.no with a short presentation of the member courses and information about pitch and putt is developing slowly. NPPF requests all EPPA/FIPPA members to have links to our web site.
Q3. How did you select the Norway team for ETC 2007?
Pitch and Putt Cup 2007 was a great success and we had the National Finals at Imjelt Pitch and Putt (on 9 September) at the new 18 hole Pitch and Putt course in Drammen. The activity and interest for the 2007 Cup was great with 35 players in the finals and we selected the Chia team from that tournament.
Jo Brand
Q4. What else does NPPF offers its members?
NPPF insurance plan with specialty cover for Pitch and Putt and pay and play courses is now active, and in use by our members.
Q5. Is it easy to attract sponsors?
NPPF has held negotiations with several sponsors. We hope this will materialize into long term sponsorship over some years, as the Pitch and Putt sport gets more known in Norway. For time being we have two sponsors.
Q6. What does the future hold?
NPPF hope that the opening of Norway’s first 18 hole Pitch & Putt course this year will make players and people more interested in the sport. So far the course is a great success and we hope this course will spread the demand for Pitch and Putt courses (we have seven affiliated at the moment) and that the interest for Pitch and Putt in Norway will increase. All our activity will be concentrated around one or two nationwide tournaments, leading to one or two teams being sent to major international tournaments. NPPF hope to be capable to organize international tournaments in the near future. Norway is quite nice in May!
Q7. Are you pleased with Norwegian Pitch and Putt’s progress internationally?
We are very happy with our fifth place in the II Team World Cup at Teia, and with the “Hatle Brothers” 2nd and 6th place in the French Open last year. Both tournaments very well organized and of great importance to spread the popularity of Pitch and Putt in Norway.
See articles about the new Drammen course at Google and at Golf Norway
(with John Manning)
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