Maree O'Toole - Looks ahead to her international debut
MAREE O'TOOLE
John Manning is a member of Shandon club on the northside of Dublin. His club colleague Maree O'Toole will play against Catalonia in the forthcoming International Challenge at Lloret Papalus. Maree O'Toole started playing Pitch and Putt in 1970. She has twice been runner-up in the Irish Ladies Strokeplay championship (1983 and 2002). We wondered what does it mean to Maree to be selected for Ireland? "It's an absolute honour. It tops off my career, club, county and country." Maree has been a part of four Dublin Irish Ladies Inter-County winning teams.
Maree has a very full life outside of Pitch and Putt. She and husband John (himself a very keen Pitch and Putt player) have four children - Ciaran, Aisling, Sinead and Deirdre. The whole family are consumed by GAA, particularly camogie. Maree has held various administrative positions in that sport. Will her family travel to Catalonia with her? "John would normally, but he's booked for Derby weekend in Epsom," laughs Maree.
Maree has very clear hopes and expectations for the international challenge match. "I'd love to play to best of my ability, enjoy, make new friends and win!!" There have obviously been many career highlights in a 44 year career. "Winning 2 Dublin Matchplays, playing Inter-County for Dublin, captaining the winning team in the Inter-County," stand out. Maree feels there's more recognition for the ladies fraternity nowadays. Shandon Pitch and Putt club means to a lot to Maree. "I've been a member of Shandon for 44 years. My family home overlooks the 15th green. I won my 2 Dublin Matchplay championships there. I've been Lady Captain twice." She remains bewitched by the course. Maree's simple and straigtforward view on international Pitch and Putt? "Hope it continues to develop."
Maree is not terribly familiar with any of her new Irish colleagues. "I know them only casually. I'm hoping to get to know them better on the trip."
Will there be squad get togethers in advance of the trip? "Yes. The first get together is to be organised shortly."
She speaks very highly of the Irish managerial duo. "Michael Murphy and Mary Farrell are life long supporters of Pitch and Putt and very dedicated to the game and its development." Maree is not a golfer. She is an unashamed devotee of the short game.
We mused whether long holes our short holes her specialty? "Short holes," I'm afraid. Not ideal for Lloret Papalus, but one feels Maree will learn very quickly. And just as we went to press we heard news of Maree's runner-up spot at the 2014 Dublin Strokeplay championship at Portmarnock, not a short course!
Maree has a very strong affinity with team Pitch and Putt. "Yes, very definitely. I've always enjoyed playing leagues and inter county and am very much looking forward to this event."
Growing up, two of the Irish all-time greats (and fellow Shandon members) were Maree's idols. "Teresa McGuigan and Ann Moloney were my Pitch and Putt heroes."
