John Carton - An emotional weekend at Lloret Papalus
John Carton, Ireland
2013 Irish Seniors (over 55) champion John Carton enthusiastically shared his thoughts with us about his debut for Ireland at the 2014 International Challenge. "My late father was one of the founder members in 1968 of my club Kilbeggan. I started playing as a 10 year old and Pitch and Putt gradually became a big part of my life, as a player and later as an administrator. The highlight of those 46 years was to see the Irish flag flying at Papalus before the start of the Ireland v Catalonia match. It was a proud and very emotional moment and will be etched in my memory forever."
New friendships made over the course of that memorable weekend. "The 6 Munster members of the Irish team were not very familiar to me. I would have known Martha (O'Brien) well as she is exactly the same age as my daughter Aoife. They competed together in many juvenile competitions. Weeshie (Murphy) was my playing partner for the matches on Saturday and over the few days we became good friends. Helen (Daly), Kevin (McCarthy), Marty (Fawl) and Conor (McCarthy) have all won titles and were great team members. I will certainly make a special effort to speak with them at future Pitch and Putt events."
And old alliances were strengthened. "The Leinster members of the team were more familiar to me. Apart from all the winning numerous titles, Christy was an administrator in Dublin for many years. Frank, Ian and Shane are high class players and are in contention every week on the Scratch Cup circuit.
John speaks glowingly about the squad leaders. "Our team captain Maree is known to everyone in Pitch and Putt circles and over the duration of the trip was a great ambassador for the Irish team. Our team manager Michael Murphy and assistant Mary Farrell carried out their duties with precision. Every detail on the trip was taken care of."
John had some prior experience of Pitch and Putt on the Costa Brava and he renewed some old friendships on his return for the International Challenge. "My club Kilbeggan made 2 trips to Catalonia in 2001 and 2003. It was great to speak again with Martin Whitelaw and John Jordi Roura. I had played Papalus in 2001. The course and the setup is fantastic with practice facilities and putting green attached."
A long time exponent of the shorter Irish game, John felt he coped well with the switch to EPPA distances. "The longer pitches (max 90 metres) I managed reasonably well. The most difficult aspect was the long putting. In Ireland a long putt is 5-6 metres, at Papalus it was common to have 15 - 20 metre putts with lots of slope to take into the equation."
It was a true sporting occasion played in the right atmosphere. "The matches were keenly contested and played in a great spirit. Over the 2 days it was extremely close with 9 matches going down the 18th hole. The Catalan team took the advantage with the foursomes on Saturday morning and showed their mettle by keeping that advantage to the end of play on Sunday afternoon."
No complaints about the welcome. "The Catalan team, Catalan Pitch and Putt officers and the Papalus course management were gracious hosts over the week-end." John feels the change in format, brainchild of FIPPA President Victor Moscatel, was a winner. "At the presentation ceremony the Irish President and the Catalan President spoke in glowing terms about the team format of Juniors, Ladies, Over 55's and elite players making up each team. The Irish team was also made up of players who had never previously represented their country."
As usual, Irish friends and family travelled in force. "The support for the Irish team was fantastic with approx 25 supporters making the trip", recalls John. "The sing-song on Sunday night was brilliant with everyone in great spirits. We celebrated Christy's milestone (70th) birthday, Michael and Joan Murphy's and Lily and Michael O' Brien's wedding anniversaries. As we departed for home the memories for my wife Kathleen and myself were all positive."
