European Strokeplay Championship - Interview with Ian Farrelly, four years on
Ian Farrelly, Ireland
Q. How do you rate your chances at Euro 2015?
IF: Honestly, at this moment I have not really thought about the 2015 season at all and without sounding negative after the events of 2014 and in particular the non entry of Ireland into the European Team Championships it is very hard to look forward to 2015, if these events are to be treated in a similar manner this year. As for rating of chances, the event is not until August so in January it is very difficult to answer this especially when you are not playing, but no doubt it has the makings of a great event if all the top players from each country participate.
Q. What specific preparations do you plan?
IF: Well as they say fail to prepare, prepare to fail! I think over the years you learn that you can make all the preparations you want and practice as many hours as you want but if your head is not right it does not matter, you will not play well and this is true for all sports.
Q. Where does the European Strokeplay rank in your priorities for 2015
IF: Obviously after unexpectedly winning in 2011 it would be nice to go to Holland and play well in it! It will probably be the biggest event on the calendar this year and I am sure all players will be looking to get to Holland and perform well in this.
Q. What events will you play in the run-up to the European Strokeplay championship?
IF: Over the last few years we have played in the Catalan Open in March each year and I know it is a bit later in April this year so this may clash with the Irish fixture list, we will have to wait and see. I think the Catalan Open being played in March was why it attracted such a big contingent from Ireland as it was the first event of the season at home or abroad.
Q. How well do you know the Orvelte course?
IF: I have not played the Orvelte course in Northern Holland and can just go on what I have heard from other Irish players who have been there. They said it was a nice and testing course. I think the distances are more akin to Irish Pitch and Putt courses and going on the scoring of Rolf Kwant last year it appears to be a high scoring course which will not suit me at all!!!
Q. Do you plan to visit in advance?
IF: No we will just have to settle for a practise day in advance of the competition, which I think can sometimes be better. If you get to know too much about the dangers of a course it can have a negative effect!
Q. You have done well in Holland before? How much will you draw upon that experience?
IF: Played in the Dutch open when it was held for 3 years in Bussloo in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and managed to win in 2009. I was 3rd in 2010 and 4th in 2011 so have had a bit of success there which is always good to draw upon. The courses in Holland are similar to Irish type courses in that they are not as long, distance wise as Catalonia courses and the greens tend to be smaller.
Q. How different will the Dutch event be to Norway four years ago?
IF: We had a great trip to Oslo and Drammen in Norway in 2011 and we still talk about it to this day. On the practice day before the event I had a new pair of glasses and could not get used to them at all and was bogeying most of the holes and on the morning of the event I decided at the last minute to use the old pair (of glasses), which were in a bad state of repair but fortunately they worked! It was a great honour to be out with John Walsh and John Ross Crangle in the last round and the 3 tee shots to the long final hole 18th and the reception and drama was a great experience, to say the least. The course there was of a very high standard with the most modern facilities we have seen anywhere in Europe and set in a beautiful scenic area around the fjord. The organisation of the event by the local association was very professional. I have no doubt that we will see the same in Holland in August.
Q. Who else do you think will contend for the European Strokeplay championship?
IF: Well I think John Walsh will be keen to do the double after winning the World Strokeplay and he will face stiff competition from Ray Murphy, Liam O Donovan, John Ross Crangle, Rolf Kwant, Damien Fleming, Mark Miller and many others including the Catalan players who will want to follow up their 2014 win and claim this one. In the ladies Chrissie Byrne will be the hot favourite to add to her World Strokeplay crown and hopefully there will be a large ladies entry from all countries.
Q. Do you plan to play the other international tournaments in 2015?
IF: We first travelled in 2005 (10 years ago) to our first international open in Italy and ever since we have been supporting these events. Apart from the events themselves it has been a great way to see different places across Europe that you would never get the opportunity to see and used the event as a holiday primarily and the competition secondly. In 2015 depending on the depleted finances :-) I am sure we will add more opens on to the to do list.
