FIPPA Newsletter - July 2007.
Welcome to this edition of the FIPPA Newsletter.
IAN FARRELLY - French Open winner.
MEATH MASTER OF LA GRANDE MOTTE
We caught up with Montpelier International Open winner Ian Farrelly at the Irish Matchplay finals on June 4th. Understandably, the Duleek clubman was upbeat as he reflected on his success at Club de La Grande Motte.
“The French Open is arguably the most prestigious of the International opens due to the participation of players from so many different countries such as Holland, Catalonia, England, France, Norway, Denmark and of course Ireland. It is great to have the opportunity to play Pitch & Putt against these players abroad and to come out on top over the weekend was a nice bonus and a good feeling.”
They say comparisons are odious but we insisted that Ian contrast his two international open victories.
“San Marino in 2005 was different to this year’s French Open. I struggled early on in San Marino and on day one, I was five behind Alan Hanlon,” recalls Ian. He admits to feeling he had no chance of making up the gap as Alan was in great form at that time. “On day two, I shot a course record 47 which put me back in the frame but it was not until I reached the 89 metre 18th that I believed I had actually won the tournament. Prior to the France tournament, I had been showing good form, winning the County Meath Scratch Cup and finishing runner-up a couple of times. This gave me the confidence to play well over there and I felt in control of my game right through the weekend. Leading overnight is not easy as James Carroll, Anto Gray and Jordi Serra Blanch were like vultures, ready to attack the next day but it was satisfying to close out the tournament the way I did.”
His view of the Montpellier course is candid and generally positive.
“It’s long and challenging but very enjoyable to play. The greens were in superb condition and running very true. There are some great shots on the course particularly the 90 metre 9th over the lake. That is probably one of the most intimidating tee shots in Pitch & Putt with water all around and a very undulating green with steep slopes. There is no laying up on this hole, its all duck and no dinner! Generally, the greens are huge in Montpellier but that does not necessarily make it easier. The challenge of teeing off on grass teeboxes rather than rubber mats makes it even more difficult.”
French Open winner - Ian Farrelly
And what of the site of his San Marino heroics?
“Cesenatico is a 9 hole course and the greens are much smaller than that in Montpellier, which is an 18 hole course. Cesenatico is more like Pitch and Putt at home and they have rubber mats which make it a little easier. Two different sets of teeboxes are used for each nine holes. So when you come to the 9th it is about 60 metres but next time around it extends to 90 metres for the 18th hole. That’s an excellent finishing hole back to the clubhouse surrounded by bunkers.”
Montpelier customarily has not produced low scores. To what would Ian attribute this year's scoring levels, which saw him fire 20 under par and finish two clear of compatriot James Carroll?
“After playing a practice round on Friday afternoon, the players predicted that a score of 11 or 12 under might win. Scoring has traditionally been high in Montpellier, mainly due to the strong winds and hard greens. This year there had been a lot of rain in the area leading up to the Open which made the greens more receptive. This, combined with slack winds over the weekend, made the scoring a lot lower than in other years.”
Like in any event, there are always key moments along the way.
“The turning point of the tournament came on the long 8th (in the final round) when James pitched to about three feet. That was a chance for him to get back on level terms but the putt somehow stayed out. From there, the momentum switched and I regained a two shot lead with birdie on 10. I holed a putt from off the green on 11 and James missed. That gave me a little cushion coming in but he never gave up and there was only two in it at the end. Ahead of us Anto Gray was going strong but missed a few chances to put the pressure on coming in. Jordi Serra Blanch, who in the group with us, played very steadily and was very unlucky with so many putts.”
Some of the non-Irish players impressed Ian.
“The Catalans, particularly Jordi Serra Blanch, are strong players and improving all the time and the new course record holder from Holland Jan Tijhuis was very impressive in shooting 46. John and Steve Deeble from England are always thereabouts too. The two Norwegian brothers Edvard and William Halte are excellent players but never got going in this year’s tournament.”
Would a circuit if international Opens interest former Irish Mixed Foursomes champion Ian?
“I would love to play more international opens but due to the congested fixture list in Ireland it is difficult to attend. For example the National Matchplay finals are on the same weekend as the Italian Open and we also have an Inter County Trial the weekend of the San Marino Open. This is something maybe FIPPA could look at so that all associations have no major fixtures clashing with International Open events.”
The two time international Open winner is bullish about the prospects for International Pitch & Putt.
“Without doubt it has a future. Accessibility is much easier now with the low cost airlines. The longer version of the game is very popular particularly in Catalonia and perhaps it is a model of what we need to be changing here at home to match the courses and facilities that they have. All the International players would love to come to Ireland to play in an open and it would be great if we could have an Irish Open on the fixture list under EPPA rules.”
Farrelly’s next international crusade is likely to be Down Under.
“The Australian Triple Crown is on in November this year and at the moment, Anto Gray, Anto Kavanagh, Jim Judge, James Carroll, Damien Mullaney and myself are hoping to travel. Hopefully more Irish players will attend, which would make the event even better.”
We spoke to Ian Farrelly a day after he had lost an Irish Matchplay quarter-final to ultimate runner-up Paul O’Brien. We wondered if his international accomplishments would be a springboard for further domestic achievements in Ireland for the man who helped Meath to runners-up position in the 2006 Inter-County championship.
“With every success you get additional confidence in what you are trying to achieve. The winning of an International Open is certainly a platform to help you develop your game. Domestically it spurred me on to reach the last eight of the National Matchplay in Stackallen and with a little a bit of luck it could have been better.”
Ian regularly travels to major sporting (like the top soccer matches) and cultural events (such as the Cannes Film Festival!) How do the Pitch and Putt majors compare?
“The three big events on the Irish Pitch and Putt calendar are the Matchplay, the Strokeplay and the Inter County. These are the equivalent to the Ryder Cup in golf or the FA cup final at Wembley and having attended both of these events in the recent past, they are all special moments in the sporting calendar. While Pitch & Putt tournaments may not be as big as these other sports, they still provide the equivalent entertainment to both players and spectators.”
Favourite courses?
“In Ireland (apart from Duleek!), I like Bellewstown, Stackallen and Castletown. My favourite course abroad (I only have played two!) is Montpellier. I believe the courses in and around Barcelona are amazing and I would love to play these some time soon.”
(with John Manning)
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