Chrissie Byrne - Reflections on 2 Irish Ladies Open titles
Chrissie Byrne, Ireland
World ladies Pitch and Putt champion Chrissie Byrne has also been to the fore in her closest international event. In advance of the 2014 renewal The Kilcullen, Co. Kildare reflected on her 2009 and 2010 Irish Open successes with fippa.net.
A few memories stick in Chrissie's head about the first Irish Open in Royal Meath (2009). "I remember after a very poor and wet summer, the weekend itself was sweltering (by Irish standards). As Royal Meath is only 35 minutes from home I travelled there and back each day. Having been there for practice in the weeks beforehand, I arrived on the Saturday morning to watch the end of the first session (as I was in the second session) to see the legend Anne Hall burning the course up, posting 7 under, as cool as a breeze. I thought to myself, big hill to climb Chrissie! On Sunday morning I travelled up with Derek Courtney and realised that had I forgotten my faithful cap. We popped into Blanchardstown shopping centre for a purchase but it was closed. Quite ironic I forgot my cap given the sun beamed that weekend and I needed it most."
Another leading international player offered some assistance. "Liz Quinn came to the rescue and loaned me hers for which I was most grateful on the morning. Playing in the final round I remember being paired with Jason O Regan and standing on the 17th tee box we were discussing scores posted and we came to the conclusion that I was one ahead of Tracey. However I remember the 17th green was slick and the pin position extremely tough for putting. Three putting was very easy from a few feet and when you are trying to hold on to a score it becomes even easier! We managed to walk (maybe dance) away with 3s to the 18th. I was so nervous playing those last two holes trying to hold on. Winning the 2009 Irish Open was personally a HUGE turning point in my game which I brought into the following year."
What of Chrissie's defence a year later?" I played quite a lot of Pitch and Putt on the run up to the 2010 Irish Open in RGSC. It was a lot colder and windier than the previous year in Royal Meath. I remember being on the putting green before start of play and counting 5 layers on. I pitched really well that weekend and was steady in all my rounds and I was delighted to retain the title from Tracey by a close margin again, which was to be the start of a great year for me!" Quite the understatement. That was the year Chrissie won the Irish Matchplay and many other top titles.
Memories of the last Irish Open are a little less sweet! " I played in the 2011 Irish Open in Deerpark but I had a horrendous start. I played well on the practice day but that's where it ended. I pitched the first hole just left of the green and bladed two chips across the green. The first round didn't get much better as I was well over par and I left myself too much to do to catch up on the leaders in the following two rounds. Maybe the pressure of going for three in a row got to me.... ha ha!"
Chrissie is categoric when quizzed as to her intention to play in the Irish Open 2014. "Absolutely! Without hesitation, of course! I am looking forward to it already. I was disappointed when it wasn't continued on an annual basis. I think it's a great addition to the Pitch and putt Calendar. It is almost another major and I love the buzz you get from playing in championships. Its great to meet old and new players/friends on the international circuit and the Irish Open is a great showcase for Pitch and Putt in Ireland, from showing international players the great courses and players we have to being a great advertisement for the game nationally."
Chrissie looks ahead to 2014 with optimism. "Glenville would be a course I would be very familiar with from their regularity of hosting championships to playing their Scratch Cup most years. I like Glenville. If I play well I'll have a good chance. I'd like to be able to bring the momentum of last year into this season and I'll give it my best shot and we'll see what happens.
She feels there will be strong opposition - from family, friends and others. "However, I know it will be a tough challenge to overcome players who shine in Glenville such as (sister) Marian who won her first Matchplay title there and many scratch cups after. Tracey (McGrath), a National Strokeplay champion there and who will want to retain her (Irish Open) title. Tara (Dillon, a close friend) who also won her first Matchplay there, Linda Thompson, local player who could be a dark horse and of course you never ever ever rule out Ger Ward. Internationally I think the strongest challenge will come from the Dutch duo of Herma and Esther. Over the past few years their games have improved hugely and they proved they are a big threat from their performances in the World Strokeplay last year."
Chrissie knowledgeably assesses the men's event "It would be highly unlikely Ray (Murphy) won't feature in the top positions. He has won many of his Nationals there and their Scratch Cup. Derek Courtney should fancy his chances. Being a local there for so long, he knows the course inside out as does member Philip Byrne. However, I think Stephen Murray will be one to watch! But going on statistics Damien Fleming likes this competition so I can't rule him out! On the International front I think the top place finishers would go to John Deeble (GB) or James Rogerson (Australia) or Rolf Kwant (Holland) as I think Glenville should suit their games."
Chrissie can't wait for the 2014 Pitch and Putt circuit to click into gear. "I purposely took a break at the end of last season and when I decided to make a comeback in the New Year the weather took a turn for the worst so up to this point I haven't played as much as I usually do. I think everyone is in the same scenario; it will give us all a hunger to get back into the swing of things. At this stage I am very much looking forward to getting back playing on the Scratch Cup circuit should the weather improve!"
Most of Chrissie's 2014 campaign will be conducted on the home front. "At the minute I have no plans to travel as yet to any of the International Opens this year. However should the opportunity present itself, it will always be considered!"
Her remaining own career ambitions? "I love playing competitive Pitch and Putt and I hope to continue doing that for many years. Unfulfilled ambition is to win the Leinster/National Mixed Foursomes and an International Open. I would like to add to my National titles of course and maybe one day have the opportunity to play for Ireland again!" The latter should be a formality!
