Josep Maria de Anzizu RIP - FIPPA tribute to a Pitch and Putt legend
He was born during the Spanish Civil War and played a lot of Spanish soccer. In addition, he was a skilled mountaineer, skier, golfer and sailor.
But Josep Maria de Anzizu did more than most to advance the sport of Pitch and Putt in Catalonia and worldwide. His response was invariably, "How can I help?"
Josep Maria de Anzizu first played Pitch and Putti n the United States in the mid 1970s. The truth is that he didn't like it very much because the course (in the state of Vermont) was very short, poorly designed and poorly maintained.
Years later (in the mid-1990s), he visited Solius (Catalonia’s first Pitch and Putt course, designed by Irishman Martin Whitelaw) with his business partners (who included his wife Terry and Jordi Torrent). Josep Maria’s impression was completely different. It was still a relatively short course but well designed, well maintained and with quite interesting distances. He found it a challenge for a mid-range handicap golfer like himself.
Josep Maria quickly detected the advantages of the sport. He saw that Pitch and Putt was financially affordable, not elitist and no golf federation license was required. Both young and old and families could play together in a relatively short time.
Josep Maria and his partners built Sant Cebrià soon after, followed later by Teià
He ran a family business - a real estate company and the leadership traits he displayed in business were put to good use in Pitch and Putt administration. He fitted into the role of Pitch and Putt leadership with ease.
By constructing the two courses (Sant Cebrià and Teià) and by encouraging friends, players and visitors to build other courses, Josep Maria was instrumental in a partnership being formed to facilitate players staying true to this new sport.
The magnificent collaboration of his colleague course owners and the interaction between the different courses were fundamental contributors to the success of Pitch and Putt in the region.
For many Catalans, it became their favourite sport. The ACPP was formed and through good management (inspired by Josep Maria), Catalan Pitch and Putt became the sporting and social phenomenon that it is today.
Consistent rules and regulations, coordination of the first competitions and the introduction of a handicap system were vital components. A small group of dedicated volunteers, marshalled by Josep Maria, toiled tirelessly in the early years, paving the way for salaried personnel as the ACPP membership numbers grew and grew.
Josep Maria saw much success on the Pitch and Putt course, as a player, wielding a broomhandle putter to good effect, particularly in seniors and super seniors’ events.
Author of a compelling memoir, “Roots and Especially Wings", published in 2012, he was an expert in law but also in economics. Professor at the great business schools in Barcelona, he advised many top companies.
He demonstrated an ability to jump to the occasion. His flexibility and adaptability overcame most obstacles. Where he led, others undoubtedly followed. He had the courage to stand up and make decisions without flinching, and then led the way in that direction without hesitation. Always proactive, he was a devotee if the Theodore Roosevelt maxim, "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
Josep Maria always created a vision, a picture of the future. Succession planning, deep thinking and consultancy were always key aspects of his leadership. He set clear performance expectations and held people accountable. This required being direct and truthful, which can be difficult, but was natural for this principle-based leader. It's difficult to beat the truth. He was very focused and ultra-persuasive. He brought others to his point of view using logic, reason, emotion and the force of his personality. He motivated by persuasion rather than intimidation. He spoke from the heart. He was open to feedback and embraced the Internet and e-mail era.
The first International Challenge Cup in 1997 was a catalyst for sustained international Pitch and Putt development. Josep Maria de Anzizu was non-playing captain of the Catalan team in that match v. Ireland at Solius in 1997. The European Team championship at Chelmsford, UK soon followed and paved the way for the formation of EPPA and later FIPPA.
Both at the Catalan level and at the level of other territories, Josep Maria worked tirelessly to help Pitch and Putt evolve. Quality was his watchword, convinced that proper evolution was only possible if players were offered a “good product” - interestingly designed and well maintained courses, reasonable prices and serious and careful organization of competitions, which required good management both at the level of the courses and of the governing bodies of the sport.
Qualified in law and in business administration and management (the latter distinction achieved at Harvard), Josep Maria served as ACPP President from 2001 to 2009 and FCPP President from 2005 from 2009. Josep Maria was Vice President of EPPA from 2000 to 2002, EPPA President from 2002 to 2004 and FIPPA General Secretary from 2006 to 2010.
A man of many innovations, Josep Maria espoused at all times a spirit of compromise and a seeking of solutions. His example will inspire his successors and his legacy will live on. To paraphrase Shakespeare and Othello, he did the sport of Pitch and Putt some service.
May Josep Maria rest in peace.
