The December 2002 issue of Backspin focuses a Munster clean sweep at the National Strokeplay and Matchplay Championship finals on home Munster soil at E.S.B. and Hillview respectively. The issue also focuses on two familiar and dedicated names in Pitch & Putt Maree O'Toole and the stalwart that was Willie Parker, who sowed the seeds in the development of Pitch & Putt Internationally.

December 2002 Editorial
Gents National Matchplay 2002 - Matchplay Glory In The Home County Of His Father - John Walsh Reflects
One Shot At A Time - By Willie Parker
Gents National Strokeplay 2002 - Interview With A Champion - Liam O'Donovan
Reeling In The Years With Maree O'Toole

Editorial

Welcome to our customary comprehensive end of the year review of the Pitch and Putt season. We hope you find much of interest in these pages as we chart the progress of the twelve months gone by - from Munster to Monte Carlo; from Spain to Seapoint. 2002 will be remembered as the year that the Strategic Plan was unanimously approved. Catalonia got closer to Ireland in international play but a great hearted Irish group fought back to remain undefeated. There were many notable feats here at home. Peggy Campbell won both All-Ireland ladies championships. William Buckley Junior did the Leinster double. Stephen O'Leary became the first player to win the Gent's Junior Strokeplay and Inter Strokeplay in successive years. Liam O'Donovan added a national senior title to previously won junior and intermediate titles.

Backspin "Rookie of the Year" in 1992, Christy Broe (Junior), was recently announced as Irish Independent/Druids Glen Golfer of the Month for September. The Boystown Golf Club (near Blessington, Co. Wicklow) member won the Forrest Little Junior Scratch Cup (with a Gross 74), the Presidents Prize at a Garda Golf Society (he's a civilian member!) outing at Craddockstown G.C., all in the space of a few weeks.

Pitch and Putt featured on TV on Tuesday 22nd October. The sign for Portmarnock Pitch and Putt Club was prominently displayed during a tribute programme on RTE to the late Eamonn Andrews, original presenter of "This Is Your Life".

Excellent news reached us in October with the announcement that the "Sports Monthly" TV programme (which featured Pitch and Putt in September) will continue on RTE Network 2 in 2003. We hope to have two slots on the programme next year - perhaps from the Matchplay at Lucan and from Euro 2003 in McDonagh.

Best wishes to stalwart Shandon Secretary (and former National Secretary) Joe Leahy, who is recovering from major surgery. The P.P.U.I. extends sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Duleek Secretary Mary Weldon (R.I.P.)

Work on the Strategic Plan continues. The National Executive hopes to finalise the makeup of the Select Committees by Convention and the inaugural meeting of the Committees is planned for early January 2003.

The population dynamic of our country is changing. More and more people are gravitating towards urban areas. The countries of Kildare and Meath have seen the biggest percentage increases in population since 1996 as the Dublin housing prices rocket. Interestingly, Westmeath has shown the next highest population increase. Kinnegad has experienced the biggest population explosion in Westmeath, shooting up by 119% since 1996. The population of Rochfortbridge increased by 73.4% over the same period. The Ballymore growth is 13.6%, Delvin's population has gone up by 9.6%. Since 1996, the Pitch and Putt membership in Westmeath has fallen 22%, from 353 to 274. Meath's has increased by less than 2% - 941 to 956 while Kildare's figures are down to 412 from 492, a loss of 16%. The Pitch and Putt club in Kinnegad has disappeared since 1996. Rochfortbridge's membership numbers have fallen from 59 to 49 while Ballymore's is static. All numbers quoted are the adult registration figures. I don't cite these statistics to criticise individual boards or clubs but do so to illustrate what is undoubtedly a national trend and to highlight what we collectively in the Union must focus on.

The PPUI and the sport of Pitch and Putt have got to penetrate new and existing densely populates areas. Otherwise, we won't increase market share.

Congratulations to the eight clubs that earned Club Development Awards. However, a total of eight winners represents a very poor return indeed for this initiative, which was aimed at driving the development effort forward countrywide.

I set out the latest information on our Publicity Database (set-up to collate replies to our circular in August) elsewhere in these pages. In it there is much that is positive. However, a majority of clubs did not reply at all and a small number of prominent clubs do not have a P.R.O.

Latest celebrity to declare Pitch and Putt association is Birmingham City and Ireland central defender Kenny Cunningham. He spent many hours honing his swing at Tolka Lodge Pitch and Putt course. In a recent interview with Philip Quinn of the Irish Independent, Kenny bemoaned that the site of Tolka Lodge is now an apartment complex!

Thanks to our interviewees for contributing some very interesting perspectives. A Happy Christmas to one and all.

Until next month....
JOHN MANNING
EDITOR

Until next month............
JOHN MANNING
EDITOR

Matchplay Glory In The Home County Of His Father - John Walsh Reflects

It's been another vintage year for John Walsh of Collins, Cork and Ireland. The reigning National Matchplay champion reflected with "Backspin" on his memorable victory at Hillview in Co. Tipperary (John's late father is a native of the Premier County)

John Walsh was quietly confident heading into Hillview 2002. "I like Hillview. I won a Scratch Cup there before". He visited Clonmel twice for practice - on the two weekends immediately preceding the championship. The Collins star believes in the least possible interruption to his routine. "During the championship, I travelled up from Cork every morning and went straight home each day after I'd finished.' John felt that he found the ideal means of psyching himself up and building confidence. "Before each match, I reminded myself that just to qualify out of Cork, I'd beaten John Cahill, Kieran Dunscombe and Liam O'Brien - true champions all. After that, I felt I could beat anyone."

Having won the Strokeplay at Seapoint, John Walsh now joins a select band to have taken both the national individual majors. Does he approach Matchplay and Strokeplay differently? "Yes. Strokeplay is a one-day even and you have to click quickly. Make one bad shot and you can be punished whereas in Matchplay you can play badly and still win." Nevertheless the reigning National and provincial Matchplay champion feels he will have to concentrate even more in future because the National Matchplay kingpin is understandably a marked man and the player everybody wants to beat.

Turning point of the championship? John recalls a tactical change in the opening eighteen of his first round encounter with fellow Cork man Frank Dineen (St. Anne's). These days, John normally uses the Callaway CTU 30 blue ball but felt it wasn't working for him on this occasion. "I switched balls at the 13th against Frank. I was three down. Then I dyked the next nine to go level. It was nip and tuck all the way to the 36th where we were still level. Frank took four and I made par. If it's any consolation to Frank, I'd have made my putt if I needed to. It was a great game." At no stage in the entire weekend's proceedings did John say, "I have it now." Such an attitude demonstrates his quiet unassuming approach, which belies the immense success he has enjoyed over the past decade (see the accompanying charts).

In typical Pitch and Putt champion fashion, John is uncharacteristically magnanimous about his major rivals, particularly the players whose paths crossed his in Hillview. "Liam O'Donovan is one for the future. He showed that at E.S.B. Darren Collins is a true gent and only a putt away from a national title. Frank Dineen is a little 'hyper' but he's proved his class as a player in recent years. Eddie Carey is another great player - he just didn't play well on the day. I think Frank O'Donoghue gave me my toughest game. I believe Frank is back close to his best and will always be a factor if he gets his putter going. I just beat him on the 35th after holing a seven footer. I really like Karl Maxwell as a player but the amount of backspin he generates is crippling his game."

We pressed John as to how he perceived his prospects of retaining the title at Lucan next June. He has no qualms about playing in the capital. "I love Dublin courses because the greens are always fast and good. I've played Lucan twice but failed to qualify in their Scratch Cup and also missed out on the Top 20 in the 1998 National Strokeplay there. So who knows?" John names club colleague and his Irish captain earlier in the year, Chris Scannell (the 1998 runner-up), as his outside tip for the 2003 Matchplay.

Another course that John always seems to play well is the links at Seapoint where he took his Irish Strokeplay title in 1997 and led the Cork challenge so impressively in this year's Inter-County championship. Why does he play so well there? John puts it down "to Pat Greene and his Grounds Committee and the excellent condition of this unique course."

John really values his involvement in the international side of our sport. Describing that holing the winning putt in the Catalonia v. Ireland 2002 clash at Sant Cebria as meaning "everything' to him, he remembers that putt as being "very important" and compliments the Catalans on "giving us fabulous games througout that match." John goes on to sum up his view on internationals thus: "Not only is playing for Ireland an honour but it proves that you're playing well when you're selected for your country."

Ireland's No. 1 ranked player in 1998 reckons that the sport he has enjoyed and graced so well for seventeen years is still an attractive outlet for young players but bemoans the fact that "so many of them go on to play golf." He compliments the PPUI on the work they are doing to promote the sport but would love to pit his skills against some pro golfers to take on a group of top Pitch and Putt players in some sort of exhibition."

John Walsh - Ten Year Record in the "Majors"
National Matchplay Championship
YEAR
1993 Fails to qualify
1994 Reaches the third round at Glenville where he loses to Liam Williams (Glenside)
1995 A second round loser at Cloghogue - to Pat Greene
1996 Fails to qualify
1997 Fails to qualify
1998 Fails to qualify
1999 Loses to William Buckley Jnr in the second round at Lakewood
2000 A third round exit to Old County's Andrew Lowe at Seapoint
2001 Fails to qualify
2002 Beats Darren Collins in the final at Hillview to win for the first time

National Strokeplay Championship
YEAR
1993 Fails to qualify
1994 Fails to qualify
1995 Fails to qualify
1996 Finishes second at Rocklodge behind Liam O'Brien
1997 Shoots three 46s around Seapoint to become National Strokeplay champion
1998 Misses the 36 hole cut after a 101 around Lucan
1999 Makes the Fermoy cut on 93 and adds a 49 for 20 under aggregate and 18th place
2000 A 98 at Lakeside means John misses the 36 hole cut by a shot
2001 Chips in at the last in Stackallen to finish third behind fellow Corkmen Cahill and Murphy
2002 Qualifies on the cut line at E.S.B. and adds a 50 to finish 14th on 146
Inter-County Championship
YEAR
1993 Does not play
1994 Debut for Cork at Seapoint - returns Cork's best score - a 96 - as they finish second to Louth
1995 His worst Inter-County score - a 103 at Tralee - as Cork second to Tipperary
1996 John's score -93- is again Cork's lowest. Meath beat Cork by six at Castletown
1997 An inspirational 90 from John Walsh is Cork's best score as Cork win at Larkspur Park
1998 John shoots 98 at Navan as Cork finish runners-up to the host county
1999 96 for John Walsh at Waterford Crystal as Cork again finish second, this time to Dublin
2000 A third second place in a row for Cork as John Walsh shoots 92 at McDonagh
2001 Cork win in a canter at Rocklodge and John Walsh contributes 96
2002 Back to Seapoint and John Walsh is Cork's leading scorer as they fall just short against Louth

John Walsh's continued form saw him finish runner-up in the 2008 National Matchplay at Glenville.

By Willie Parker


Last month we talked about how easily we are distracted - by spectators, bad bounces or whatever. These distractions cause us to lose focus and we play shots less well than we ought to. One poor shot leads to another - how often do we get into a state of mind where we just want to get off the course? Or tear up the card and start again? Not all the distraction comes from outside - we dream up problems in our minds, and the outside events are also transformed into thoughts and feelings, which then upset us. Our minds can become a turmoil of mixed emotions and frustration.

The most important lesson to be learned from last month's piece is that you can learn to combat these negative thoughts - you can train yourself to control your mind, for at least the few moments it takes to produce a good stroke.

It's not always easy. Suppose you are faced with a five-foot putt. You treat it with due care and attention; you try your best. Whether the putt is for a two or a four, your attitude of mind should be the same. But is it? Probably not. It should be, though.

When you walk up to a golf ball, or place one on a tee, you must be aware that every shot comes down to the same question - how do I get the ball from here to there? "Here" may be a tee-box, a bunker, a spot on the fairway, or just off the green, or on the green. "There" may be the centre of the green, by the hole, or in the hole. If you can isolate each shot in this fashion, see it as a problem on its own, and an interesting one, to be solved, a tseparaterate from anything before or after that moment - then you're well on the way to developing a clear and focused mind.

Remember this - the job is simply to move the ball from where it is now to where you want it - from here to precisely there - no more, no less. Not to win a tournament, not to make up for a mistake at the last - none of that is relevent to what you have to do.

You have to survey the shot, size up the best way to get the ball where you want it. Try to see the line of the putt, see the path the ball will take to the hole and in. Do you play a high chip or a low one? See the shape of the chip - the ball landing, running to the pin. When you can visualise the shot, you can then switch off that calculating part of your brain, get set up as you need and just play the shot. At that point you should only be thinking of the target, where the ball is meant to land. See it happening. Then let it happen. You should look on putting particularly as a routine exercise - if you've any sort of an idea of what you're at you should seldom three-putt, and often get down in one. If you haven't a solid, well-established method, talk to a good coach.

But remember - even if you have the temperament and attitude of a champion, you can still only play a shot to the limits of your technical ability. You must have put in the time practising so that your muscles know what to do, as surely as they know how to skim a stone across the surface of a pool, or lob a ball to a friend. When you use the wedge to pick up a golf ball, flicking it off the grass, you don't think about the mechanics - you trust your muscles because they've done it often enough before. When you have sized up a shot and decided how you want to play it, you need to be able to play the stroke in this fashion, sort of relaxed but still intent on what you're doing - a relaxed swing is what you want, not careful mechanical movements.

This is why you put in the hours practising - so that swinging a club in the right way becomes second nature to you - you can do it without thinking. This is how you must approach a shot too - work out how you want to play it, visualise the shot, then, as the advertisement says, "Just do it." Remember again, that each shot is a little task on its own, unaffected by any previous event or what lies ahead. Whether the results is good or bad, you can then put it out of your mind as you go on to the next mini-task - it will all add up to a decent end result, and that's when you can review your round and see what worked and what wasn't quite so good so that you can make adjustments next time.

Willielliw Parker is a former National Coach of the P.P.U.I. He has coached extensively in Ireland, UK and Holland. He is the author of a book on Pitch and Putt entitled "The Short Game." He originally surfaced the idea of an official P.P.U.I. magazine, which led to Backspin's introduction in 1989.

Interview With A Champion - Liam O'Donovan

Bruff's Liam O'Donovan won the 2002 National Strokeplay championship in an exciting last green decider with No. 1 ranked player Ray Murphy. The popular Limerick man recalled a memorable day for Backspin's bumper end of year issue.

Backpin: What were your thoughts coming into the national strokeplay championship?
Liam O'D: Coming into the championship, I was playing well but couldn't see myself in the hunt as I had never played well at E.S.B. (he managed just 108 there in the 1999 Munster Inter-County) and had only made the cut once before in the National Stroke.

B: How did you prepare for the championship? a) The weeks before b) on the weekend itself
L: The week before the championship, I was in Tullamore where I took third place in the Scratch Cup. Normally, I take the week of the Irish Strokeplay off and play a few rounds at the host venue.

B: Does your approach differ in Matchplay from Strokeplay? Which fo you prefer?
L: As a player, I have no preference for Matchplay over Strokeplay. My approach is the same whatever the event. As a spectator, Matchplay holds more appeal.

B: What was the turning point in the championship? And when did you say to yourself "I have it now!"
L: For both, when the ball fell in the hole at the last!!

B: A few words about Ray Murphy, William Buckley and Liam O'Brien?
L: I think all three are fabulous players. Ray Murphy and Liam O'Brien have both won the Irish Matchplay and Strokeplay while William Buckley did a great double in Leinster this year. All three are wonderful ambassadors of the game.

B: What are the prospects for a successful defence at Tullamore? e.g. do you like the course, past records etc.
L: The Tullamore course is a fine layout and is always in perfect condition. I've won a national title in Tullamore already (Junior Matchpplay 1990) and if I can putt (using that White Hot putter he wields so well) like I did at E.S.B., who knows?

B: What is your view of the E.S.B. course?
L: It is a a very tough course, particularly if you're not pitching well. The course was in good condition for the National Strokeplay and a credit to all the people who put in their spare time into it.

B: How do you retain your enthusiasm for Pitch and Putt and travel the length and breadth of the country each weekend to compete?
L: I love playing different courses and you most often meet the course in its best condition on the day of the competition. It helps as well to be winning a prize now and again!!

B: Is Pitch and Putt sufficiently attractive sport for the young player?
L: I feel it is yes but faces an upward battle for numbers as all sports do currently.

B: What could the P.P.U.I. do to make it more attractive?
L: I feel the P.P.U.I. are on the way with the TV coverage but we need more high profile competition to be shown and for a longer period.

B: How long have you been playing Pitch and Putt?
L: I started back in 1987 so it's been fifteen great years.

B: Tell us about your pitching club.
L: It's a sand iron, make unknown. I borrowed it from T.J. Hinchy (fellow Bruff member and former Munster Council President) in 1992! It's still on loan!

LIAM O'DONOVAN - CAREER HIGHLIGHTS TO DATE
1990 June - Wins National Junior Matchplay title (no longer played for on the PPUI Calendar - Liam is just one of three winners in history) - beating RGSC's John Kelly by 4&3 in the final in Tullamore.
1992 July - A 97 at Parteen gives Liam O'Donovan a four shot win in the National Intermediate Strokeplay championship.
1996 August - Is a member of the Limerick side that finishes second to Tipperary in the Munster Inter-County at Lakeside.
1997 July - Beats Paul O'Brien (Lakeside) 3&2 in the Munster Matchplay final at Parteen. September - Limerick are runners-up in the Inter-County championship at Larkspur Park. Liam O'Donovan is the Limerick top scorer with a superb 92.
1998 July - Liam shoots 144 at Lucan to place third in the National Strokeplay championship behind champion Frank O'Donoghue and Derry McCarthy.
1999 May - The Munster Strokeplay championship is played at Liam's beloved Bruff. Liam is crowned champion after a brilliant 92. June - Liam is a member of the Irish Team that clinches the first European Team championship at West Park, Chelmsford, UK. The Bruff man wins five of his six matches. July - Reaches the Munster Matchplay final at Riverdale - losing to John Walsh.
2000 June - Teams up with his father Billy and mother Peg to form the Bruff team that wins the Munster P.J. Bell Team Event at Croom.
2001 May - Liam is Munster Strokeplay champion again after a phenomenal 87 around Lakeside. September - Limerick win the Inter-County championship Division A at Rocklodge. Liam O'Donovan shoots 97.
2002 July - Wins National Strokeplay - holing that vital putt at E.S.B. to pip Ray Murphy.

Liam O'Dovovan in action for Ireland at the European Team Championships in 2007 in Sardinia Italy.

With Maree O'Toole

Coming Soon!