Teo Fernandez - A victory dedicated to his family
We were delighted to get the following reaction from Teo Fernandez after his memorable win at Tambre in the World Over-55 Strokeplay championhip.
How excited and proud are you to win the Over 55 World Strokeplay Championship?
Winning a world championship in any discipline and age is something every competitor dreams of doing one day, although it almost never comes true. In my case, the dream has come true.
On the other hand, I feel very proud to be the first player from Galicia to win a championship of this type. The competitive level in Galicia has been rising exponentially in recent years, with veteran players joining younger players who are eager to do well. This raises the bar for everyone, and the result is being able to achieve these kinds of triumphs at the international level.
Did that opening round of 46 provide you with a wonderful foundation for victory?
Of course it did. Jorge Rodríguez Sarmiento had shot -6 in the previous round, and it was important to be able to respond immediately. Added to this is the fact that Amador's first round wasn't particularly good. However, I personally think that the result of the second round, although not as spectacular, was more decisive, as it allowed me to go into the final round with a four-stroke lead over Jorge and Amador.
How familiar are you with the Tambre course?
Well, despite holding the course record with a score of -11, in the last two years I only remember playing it a couple of times until training for the World Championships. Years ago, I did play it more regularly. What's clear is that after this result, I will always have an indelible memory of Tambre.
The pace of play must have been very slow with the Fourballs and the high temperatures. How did you stay focused?
Honestly, I don't remember playing in such tough conditions due to the high temperatures, like the 40°C weekend of the World Championships. Without a doubt, this, to a greater or lesser extent, affected the play of all the competitors, who had to work hard to avoid dehydration. As for the pace of play, with the field being full, it was expected to be quite slow, with rounds lasting around three hours. In these situations, maintaining concentration is quite difficult, but I suppose we each have our own routines to stay focused when we have to play, and a little more relaxed when we have to wait. In my case, music plays an important role.
Did playing with Jorge, Amador, and Eleanor help you?
Without a doubt. Although the results appear in real time via the virtual scorecard, it was important to play with them in the same match. This allowed me to counter their attacks at specific times. All three are great players, and the result at this World Championship proves it.
How impressed are you with them as players?
Well, I know Jorge well from competitions in Galicia, and there's little to say. He's been champion of Galicia, of the ranking, and recently won the Euskadi Open held in Orduña. He's a proven player, with a lot of experience, and he always shows up in important competitions. I also know Amador quite well from playing against him at the Catalonia Pairs, VNations, and even in some club tournaments at his course in Sant Cebriá, and he's always at the top of the competitions. He was the previous senior world champion. He's a very consistent player and a very difficult opponent to beat.
As for Eleanor, I'd never played against her before, and she seemed like a fantastic player. She has a very consistent tee-to-green game, and she would definitely have performed better if she'd had a little more luck with her putting, especially on the short putts. It was a very friendly match.
You led from start to finish. Were there any critical moments?
In reality, there was a rather difficult moment when I made two consecutive bogeys on holes 13 and 14, but the truth is that at that point I had a five-stroke lead, and until the last hole, I never had any of my opponents within three strokes. From the 15th hole onward, I tried to manage the advantage I had at that point, and the result was very positive.
What are your plans and ambitions for the rest of the season?
On an individual level, there are three events remaining in the Galician Ranking, and I will try to finish as well as possible. Also on the national team level, there is the Five Nations Championship to be held in Andorra in July. But what I'm most excited about for the rest of the season are the Nacho Prada Galicia Pairs and the Catalonia Pairs, in which I will compete with Antonio Sánchez as my teammate. These are competitions I love to play, and in which we are also quite good, having won the previous Galicia Pairs and recently the Andorra Pairs. Let's see if we are able to continue with the good results.
Winning a world championship in any discipline and age is something every competitor dreams of doing one day, although it almost never comes true. In my case, the dream has come true.
On the other hand, I feel very proud to be the first player from Galicia to win a championship of this type. The competitive level in Galicia has been rising exponentially in recent years, with veteran players joining younger players who are eager to do well. This raises the bar for everyone, and the result is being able to achieve these kinds of triumphs at the international level.
Did that opening round of 46 provide you with a wonderful foundation for victory?
Of course it did. Jorge Rodríguez Sarmiento had shot -6 in the previous round, and it was important to be able to respond immediately. Added to this is the fact that Amador's first round wasn't particularly good. However, I personally think that the result of the second round, although not as spectacular, was more decisive, as it allowed me to go into the final round with a four-stroke lead over Jorge and Amador.
How familiar are you with the Tambre course?
Well, despite holding the course record with a score of -11, in the last two years I only remember playing it a couple of times until training for the World Championships. Years ago, I did play it more regularly. What's clear is that after this result, I will always have an indelible memory of Tambre.
The pace of play must have been very slow with the Fourballs and the high temperatures. How did you stay focused?
Honestly, I don't remember playing in such tough conditions due to the high temperatures, like the 40°C weekend of the World Championships. Without a doubt, this, to a greater or lesser extent, affected the play of all the competitors, who had to work hard to avoid dehydration. As for the pace of play, with the field being full, it was expected to be quite slow, with rounds lasting around three hours. In these situations, maintaining concentration is quite difficult, but I suppose we each have our own routines to stay focused when we have to play, and a little more relaxed when we have to wait. In my case, music plays an important role.
Did playing with Jorge, Amador, and Eleanor help you?
Without a doubt. Although the results appear in real time via the virtual scorecard, it was important to play with them in the same match. This allowed me to counter their attacks at specific times. All three are great players, and the result at this World Championship proves it.
How impressed are you with them as players?
Well, I know Jorge well from competitions in Galicia, and there's little to say. He's been champion of Galicia, of the ranking, and recently won the Euskadi Open held in Orduña. He's a proven player, with a lot of experience, and he always shows up in important competitions. I also know Amador quite well from playing against him at the Catalonia Pairs, VNations, and even in some club tournaments at his course in Sant Cebriá, and he's always at the top of the competitions. He was the previous senior world champion. He's a very consistent player and a very difficult opponent to beat.
As for Eleanor, I'd never played against her before, and she seemed like a fantastic player. She has a very consistent tee-to-green game, and she would definitely have performed better if she'd had a little more luck with her putting, especially on the short putts. It was a very friendly match.
You led from start to finish. Were there any critical moments?
In reality, there was a rather difficult moment when I made two consecutive bogeys on holes 13 and 14, but the truth is that at that point I had a five-stroke lead, and until the last hole, I never had any of my opponents within three strokes. From the 15th hole onward, I tried to manage the advantage I had at that point, and the result was very positive.
What are your plans and ambitions for the rest of the season?
On an individual level, there are three events remaining in the Galician Ranking, and I will try to finish as well as possible. Also on the national team level, there is the Five Nations Championship to be held in Andorra in July. But what I'm most excited about for the rest of the season are the Nacho Prada Galicia Pairs and the Catalonia Pairs, in which I will compete with Antonio Sánchez as my teammate. These are competitions I love to play, and in which we are also quite good, having won the previous Galicia Pairs and recently the Andorra Pairs. Let's see if we are able to continue with the good results.
This was quite an emotional victory for you and there are some people you'd like to dedicate your success to?
When I have an important victory, I like to first think of my wife, my daughters, my mother, my sister, and the rest of my family and friends. This year,unfortunately, my father passed away, and I especially dedicate this victory to him.
On another note, I'd like to thank the entire staff at the Tambre course for the care I received, as well as the care of the course and the rest of the facilities. I also want to thank the FIPPA for making it possible to hold this World Championship on our home turf. I also want to thank ASGAPP, headed by Víctor Rodríguez, for the organization and for their commitment to pitch and putt. And last but not least, I want to thank all the participants for the camaraderie and the good atmosphere we've experienced during those days.
Spanish Version
¿Que tan emocionado y orgulloso estás de ganar el Campeonato Mundial de Strokeplay para mayores de 55 años?
Ganar un campeonato del mundo de cualquier disciplina y edad es algo muy emocionante y que todo competidor sueña con poder hacerlo algún día, aunque casi nunca se cumple. En mi caso el sueño se ha hecho realidad.
Por otro lado, me siento muy orgulloso de ser el primer jugador de Galicia que consigue un campeonato de este tipo. El nivel competitivo en Galicia está subiendo los últimos años de manera exponencial con jugadores ya veteranos a los que se suman jugadores más jóvenes pero que vienen con muchas ganas de hacerlo bien. Esto hace que el nivel suba para todos y el resultado es poder conseguir este tipo de triunfos a nivel internacional.
¿Esa ronda de 46 golpes te dio una base maravillosa para la victoria?
Por supuesto que si. En el turno anterior Jorge Rodríguez Sarmiento había hecho un resultado de -6 y era importante poder contestarle de manera inmediata. A ello hay que sumar que la primera ronda de Amador no fue excesivamente buena. Sin embargo, personalmente pienso que el resultado de la segunda vuelta no siendo tan espectacular fue más decisivo, ya que me permitió salir al último recorrido con cuatro golpes de ventaja sobre Jorge y sobre Amador.
¿Qué tan familiarizado está con el campo de Tambre?
Pues a pesar de que ostento el record del campo con un resultado de -11, en los últimos dos años solo recuerdo haber jugado un par de veces hasta los entrenamientos realizados para competir en el mundial. Hace años si que lo he jugado de manera más habitual. Lo que está claro es que después de este resultado siempre tendré un recuerdo imborrable de Tambre.
El ritmo de juego debió ser muy lento con los Fourballs y las altas temperaturas ¿Cómo
mantuviste la concentración?
Sinceramente no recuerdo haber jugado en unas condiciones tan duras debido a las altas temperaturas como el fin de semana del mundial con 40º C. Sin duda esto en mayor o menor medida afectó al juego de todos los competidores que tuvimos que esforzarnos para evitar la deshidratación.
En cuanto al ritmo de juego al estar el campo lleno ya era de suponer que iba a ser bastante lento, durando las rondas en torno a las tres horas. En estos casos mantener la concentración es bastante complicado, pero supongo que cada uno tenemos nuestras rutinas para estar centrados en los momentos que nos toca jugar, y un poco
más relajados cuando toca esperar. En mi caso la música juega un papel importante.
¿Te ayudó jugar con Jorge, Amador y Eleanor?
Sin ninguna duda. A pesar de que los resultados aparecen en tiempo real por la anotación en la tarjeta virtual, si ha sido importante jugar con ellos en la misma partida. Esto me ha permitido contrarrestar en momentos concretos sus ataques. Los tres son grandes jugadores y el resultado en este mundial así lo demuestra.
¿Qué tan impresionado estás de ellos como jugadores?
Bueno, a Jorge le conozco bien de competiciones en Galicia, y hay poco que decir. Ha sido campeón de Galicia, del ranking, recientemente vencedor del Open de Euskadi celebrado en Orduña. Es un jugador contrastado, con mucha experiencia y que siempre aparece en las competiciones importantes.
A Amador le conozco bastante también de haber coincido con él en los Pairs de Cataluña, en VNaciones, e incluso en algunos torneos de Club en su campo en San Cebriá, y siempre está en los puestos de cabeza en las competiciones. Era el anterior campeón del mundo senior. Es un jugador muy consistente y un rival muy difícil de batir.
En cuanto a Eleanor, nunca había coincidido con ella, y me ha parecido una jugadora fantástica. Tiene un juego de tee a green muy consistente, y sin duda habría tenido mejor resultado de haber tenido un poco más de suerte con el putt. Sobre todo, en los putts cortos. La verdad es que ha sido una partida muy cordial.
Lideraste de principio a fin. ¿Hubo algún momento crítico?
En realidad, si que ha habido un momento bastante difícil cuando en los hoyos 13 y 14 encadené dos bogíes seguidos, pero lo cierto es que en ese momento tenía un colchón de
cinco golpes de ventaja y hasta el último hoyo nunca tuve a ninguno de mis rivales a menos de tres golpes. A partir del hoyo 15 he intentado administrar la ventaja de la que disponía en ese momento y el resultado fue muy positivo.
¿Cuáles son tus planes y ambiciones para el resto de la temporada?
A nivel individual faltan por disputar tres pruebas del Ranking de Galicia, y trataré de finalizar lo mejor posible en el mismo. También a nivel de selecciones está el V Naciones a disputar en Andorra en el mes de julio. Pero lo que más me ilusiona de lo que queda de temporada son los Pairs de Galicia (Nacho Prada) y de Cataluña, en los que competiré con Antonio Sánchez como compañero. Son competiciones que me encanta jugar, y que además se nos dan bastante bien, ya que ganamos el anterior Pairs de Galicia y recientemente el Pairs de Andorra. A ver si somos capaces de continuar con los buenos resultados.
Esta fue una victoria muy emotiva para usted y ¿hay alguna gente a la que le gustaría dedicar su éxito?
Cuando tengo una victoria importante me gusta acordarme en primer lugar de mi mujer, de mis hijas, de mi madre, de mi hermana y del resto de familia y amigos. Este año desgraciadamente, ha fallecido mi padre y a el le dedico especialmente esta victoria desde donde la esté viendo.
Por otra parte me gustaría agradecer a todo el staff del campo de Tambre el trato recibido, así como el cuidado del campo y del resto de instalaciones. También a la FIPPA por hacer posible la celebración de este mundial en nuestra tierra. A la ASGAPP, encabezada por Víctor Rodríguez, por la organización, y por la apuesta que está haciendo por el pitch and putt. Y por último y no menos importante, a todos los participantes por la camaradería y el buen ambiente que hemos vivido durante esto dias.
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