FIPPA Newsletter - December 2008.
Welcome to this edition of the FIPPA Newsletter.
Derek Courtney
Pinnacle of an honour laden career
Derek Courtney took time out from building his own new house in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare to speak to www.fippa.net about the latest chapter in the ever lengthening book of his storied involvement with our sport of Pitch and Putt. The Glenville legend and now World Cup champion has been at the top of the sport domestically and internationally for a quarter of a century and also holds a very responsible administrative position.
Q) You have enjoyed many highlights in your career. Where does the 2008 World Cup rank?
A) It would be very hard to top my National Matchplay at Glenville in 1994 but in a sense I probably appreciated our victory in Holland more than I appreciated my win in 1994. I was playing so well in 1994, I suppose I thought it might be the "first of many" but as the years go on you realise how difficult it is to win. It's not easy to get on teams and it's getting harder for Ireland to win when you get on the teams. I may not be around for 2012 so there's a great sense of satisfaction about winning this year. I still hold most pride in the Matchplay win in 1994.
Q) What are the other stand out highlights of your career apart from the World Cup and the Irish Matchplay?
A) Glenville's Club Matchplay championship may not register hugely on the international radar but it means a lot to me personally and I've won that numerous times. But the Dublin Strokeplay championships, I've won six of those, have given me the most satisfaction. That's more than anybody else has won. Three contemporaries - Sean Harkins, Anthony Malone and David Hayden (Irish internationals all) and I were always very competitive and to have won more than all of them, in a friendly way, is something I'll always look back on with pride.
Derek Courtney
Q) A few words about Ray, Paul and Breda?
A) Ray is just a phenomenon. From my era, I never thought I'd see anyone better than Sean Downes but Ray has surpassed him. He looks to to do everything with ease which is the hallmark of a class player. People now notice more when Ray loses rather than when he wins.
Paul's enthusiasm for the sport is unbelieveable. He lives for Pitch and Putt. We could do with more people like Paul and there'd be no fear for the future of Pitch and Putt.
Breda is a true lady and was fantastic for the week. She really was more like another team member, a companion rather than a manager. She was hugely supportive and encouraged us to talk through the tactics and strategy for each day's play.
Q) You spoke very articulately at the Willie Parker Challenge Cup in your capacity as captain. What made that event special?
A) Being captain made that very special. During the trials, making the Willie Parker Cup team was the target. The World Cup team was a bonus. I was looking forward to the Willie Parker Cup. I suppose the World Cup three were a little burnt out when it came along but being captain of the team made it another great honour and recharged the enthusiasm again.
Q) You are Chairman of Ireland's biggest club. What makes a good club?
A) The members, mainly. You can be the best Chairman in the world but if you don't have members who are cooperating with you or if you don't have an efficient committee, you can't have a good club. The good Chairman doesn't necessarily do a lot of work (I don't) but the key is organising and mobilising your colleagues. Without the support of people working on the course, organising raffles, running competitions, you've no chance.
Q) Apart from Irish players, who has impressed you on the international stage?
A) Patrick Luning, definitely. He's very impressive and shoots low scores without seeming to be doing anything special and that's another characteristic of the great player. I was actually very impressed with the Chileans in Holland. They play the game simply and sensibly and for a relatively new country in Pitch and Putt terms, they did very well to finish fifth. Many of the Catalans are quality players and lots of the international players are fantastic putters, better than the Irish players.
Q) What's left for Derek Courtney to achieve in Pitch and Putt?
A) The Irish Strokeplay is the only major that I haven't won (and he has been close - only a superb Ray Murphy pitch to the difficult penultimate hole at RGSC robbed him in 2007). That is really my last target as I've won all of the other titles in Ireland. Another Matchplay would be nice too!
Q) Do you believe in the international game?
A) I absolutely do. I just wish it could involve more of the rank and file players in the different countries. So many people are unaware of it or not interested in it and we need to work on that. It has definitely added a new dimension for the top players. I know for a fact that many players are hugely looking forward to the World Strokeplay championship. This is another prestigious tournament and it's a tournament that even Ray Murphy has never won! Nobody has ever won it and it's another major. It's not easy for everybody to travel to international opens but if sufficient notice can given of venues and details more people might include them in their plans. The more people we can get involved the better overall for the game.
(with John Manning)
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