John Ross Crangle - Reflections of a World Cup winning captain
John Ross Crangle - Reflections on captaining Ireland to World Cup success
John Ross Crangle has achieved hugely on the Pitch and Putt scene in recent years, domestically in Ireland and also internationally. Here's the Loughlinstown star's reaction to skippering Ireland to World Cup glory at Royal Meath.
Q) You have enjoyed many highlights in your career. Where does captaining you country to the 2012 World Cup rank?
A) It's definitely top of the tree, getting my first taste of the International team game was always a target for me But to do it as captain and at the biggest tournament in pitch and putt in Ireland, it was extra special as the whole family could come out and live that moment with me and watch the whole weekends play. Also meeting Irish football legend Ray Houghton was a great moment- it was great to see someone of that stature looking at us play. A fantastic experience.
Q) 2. A few words about Ray, John and Helen?
A) Ray and John need no introduction as to how good they are. I couldn't have hand picked better players to play with in the team, two magnificent professionals in an amateur game. It's not a fluke these guys are the best around. When you put the time in you reap the rewards and they certainly have. Helen was a brilliant manager and it was a special moment for her to manage us to this win. She has put so much into the game over the years and it was great to see her enjoy our victory just as much as we did.
Q) How did you prepare for the World Cup? The months beforehand? The week itself?
A) To be honest I didn't prepare in anyway different than I would for any other competition. I played the course as little as possible to be honest as I don't particularly like practicing much before a tournament so I go in fresh and play without fear of any little humps or bumps around the course. With the Irish season so compact it was difficult to actually think about it very much until the week itself finally arrived. There was a lot of pressure on us as we were expected to win and that certainly didn't help whilst playing. I found it hard at times to fully concentrate and play my best Pitch and Putt but luckily enough we came through and got the win.
Q) What were the turning points in Ireland's win?
A) I do not think there was any particular turning point in the win, each of us encouraged each other to do the best we could and if one was not doing well everyone else got right behind him.
Q) What are your impressions of the Australians?
A) Very impressed. They were one step ahead of all the other nations by setting up camp in Clonee quite a while before anyone else had including the Irish! Tom, Brendon and James are very good players and in James they certainly have an enigmatic leader! His energy for the game went through the whole team throughout the finals. It certainly won't be the last time they'll be in the final..
Q) You plan to play the Catalan Open at Teyco l'Ampolla. How will you approach that?
A) I do indeed it's always a great tournament. I'll approach it as I always do by going to a local par 3 course that has a couple of longer holes and bigger greens, to get accustomed to the longer pitches and the longer putts that will be inevitably waiting for me in Catalonia. We get there on the Thursday so will probably drop off at another of the courses nearby and have a game there too..
Q) Apart from Irish players, who has impressed you on the international stage?
A) The one player I've always been fond of in the international scene is Rolf Kwant. He is a great professional and very steady. I played with him in the European Strokeplay in Norway and was very intrigued by his swing and his concentration levels. He also shows no fear as he demonstrated in Clonee, beating John Walsh and myself in the semi final. Rolf's definitely a player i respect on the international scene
Q) How do you rate your prospects for the II World Strokeplay championship?
A)Confidence is huge in any sport but over the past couple of year's it has changed my game and brought it to a new level. It's now at a level that I feel that without winning the World Strokeplay I would be nothing less than disappointed. It is a very hard place to go to and win but the harder the course will play the more it will play to my strengths, I feel. Looking forward to it as it will be a huge experience and a lot of good players from around the globe will be there.
Q) What's next for JR Crangle to achieve in Pitch and Putt?
Well 2013 it would certainly be nice to finally grab a National title in Ireland but it's so competitive at the top of the Irish game nowadays that it is something I don't dwell on. If it is to happen it will happen. Qualifying is always the hardest part so in that case the only achievement I can think above that is winning the World Strokeplay as at least I know I've qualified for that!
Q) Do you believe in the international game?
I believe very strongly in the international game, I think in Ireland the game can become stale at times. The international events ares definitely a break from the usual routine and it's a great chance to meet brilliant people and play some fantastic courses throughout Europe. The fact there is no Irish Open is very disappointing thoug,h as it was a huge tournament and was well supported and the International game in Ireland will only suffer without it. Hopefully it comes back sooner rather than later. Q) Do you practise specifically? Or do you just play to practise?
t the start of each year around February/March I would probably play a couple of rounds or just practise my putting a couple of hours during the week. When the season kicks into gear there is so much going on in the Pitch and Putt calendar that I don't normally practise much. We play every weekend non stop until the end of the season in October
(with John Manning)
