Jordi Serra - Unlucky at Teia

Jordi Serra, Catalonia

Was Jordi Serra gutted by the outcome at Teia? I think it's fair to say that he was. "At times these things happen in any sport, and I guess I was hard done by. Personally, I felt I deserved to win, but, as always, it's never over until the very last shot. On this occasion it was my turn to finish on the verge of victory. I hope I'll get another opportunity to aspire to win another championship of such prestige."

A deep thinker about he sport, Jordi feels the Catalan Open is a high prestige event. "I reckon that the international Opens attract the greater number of top class players. Due to the sunny climate here in Catalonia, the best Irish, Dutch and Andorran players turn up for our Open. For that reason, I think it is one of the most prestigious international events."

We asked Jordi about his namesake Saborit. "I didn't actually play together with Jordi, so I don't know much about his game. What is sure is that it was in my hands to lose the tournament. As luck would have it, I lost it on the 17th when I landed out of bounds with a bunker shot and finished that penultimate hole with a triple bogey. Up until then I had a remarkable round with hardly any mistakes from Tee to Green .. and I was putting like the Angels. When I think about it ... oh it hurts."

He is an admirer of the new champion. "Well, I know Jordi (Saborit) now for many years and he is a terrific player - capable of moments of genius and, not wishing to be disrespectful, moments of disaster. I'm always impressed with his ability to recover from a nasty run of play. This is what I envy most about Jordi."

What about the big championship in Andorra this Autumn? "Andorra "Wow! It would be a dream to get back on the Catalan team and compete in the Euro championship, for me, nothing would match that. However, it won't be easy; there are only a few places and many great players to choose from. My dream scenario would be to take part and to play a Fourball with my friend Dani Gimenez, and winning the deciding point; that would be Heaven!!!"

Jordi expects the VII European championship to follow a familiar pattern. "Defending the title will be really difficult. The Andorran course will suit the Irish, and we'll have to at our very best to reach the final and attempt to beat them, as I would expect the Irish to make the final."

Catalan prospects are good, in Jordi's eyes. "We're lucky in so far as Andorra is not very far away, which will allow us to prepare for the championship more than other teams. It's not as close as Papalus 4 years ago, but we should be able to practice on the course a few times. Now I would expect of the selected players total dedication and preparation, practicing distances and Greens we'll face on the Andorran course." Jordi will return to seek closure at the Catalan Open in 2015. "Of course I hope to play in next year's Open, and hope to play at my best. It won't be 'cause of lack of enthusiasm."

Economics and family will mean some restrictions but Jordi will still tread the fairways in 2014. "I plan to play the big events here at home, and then with our friends in the Andorran Open. I'd also like to participate in the Dutch Open during the Summer holidays, but I'll have to do the sums first. We are in a year with loads of expenses. My daughter is finishing her primary degree and hopes to continue studying for a Masters. This will be expensive, but we'll manage because we are so proud of her."

When asked about the current state of international sport, Jordi mourns the FIPPA/IPPA schism. "I think it's sad that some countries have split from FIPPA. After all ours is a minority sport and there are only a few of us. Some years ago I played in the French Open in Montpellier. We had a super time .. great memories of that trip. Perhaps we should make an effort to persuade those who abandoned FIPPA to come back to the fold."

Catalan distances or FIPPA norms? "I would stick with the Catalans, with the distances ... and the girls as well, .Ha, giggle.. Though, to be serious, I believe we can perfectly combine both models. And if we want to achieve success internationally, we ought to play more EPPA competitions. This year we have a ranking system in place, based on the international distances (EPPA), and I'd like to congratulate our federation for this initiative. I will mean that we'll have more EPPA rounds."

What's left for Jordi Serra? "Sure, I've still got big ambitions. In fact I hope to be still competing until I'm too old and my legs won't let me finish a round. If I win another competition, great!, and if not I've spent marvellous times with my Pitch & Putt friends, never to be forgotten."