Continental Over-55 Strokeplay kingpin - Frank Dineen

Frank Dineen is a top-class player, a superb administrator and a peerless advocate for Pitch and Putt. The ebullient Irishman gave us this considered reflection on his coronation as European Over-55s Strokeplay champion.

We had a difficult journey and only arrived in La Rochelle on Friday afternoon. A small group of us travelled together from Ireland and, despite the long trip, we were delighted when we finally got to see the course. We managed to get a practice round in and, even though we were tired from travelling, thoroughly enjoyed the challenge it presented. It was a brilliant course with superb greens. In fact, when we saw the marked positions for Sunday's pins, they were enough to give any Pitch and Putt player nightmares!

No, I hadn't seen the course before, but I had heard great reports from Keith and JR, who had played there the year before. The reality certainly lived up to the reputation. It is a superb course with everything you could want in a championship venue. There is a real risk-and-reward element throughout, plenty of difficulty to test every aspect of your game and the quality of the greens was exceptional. It is a course that rewards good decision-making and good execution.

The facilities are exceptional and something we should all aspire to. It's very clearly a top-class par-three course, but what impressed me most was how they have embraced and developed that identity. There is room within our sport for more facilities like La Rochelle Sud. They have done it brilliantly. The course, presentation, clubhouse and overall experience created a fantastic championship atmosphere while still providing a true test of Pitch and Putt.

No, unfortunately, we didn't get the opportunity, although I would have loved to have played in them as they always add to the overall experience of an international event. Given our late arrival, time was limited, so we organised our own practice game instead. As is usually the case with a group of Irish players, it quickly became highly competitive. Despite the short time available, it gave us a good feel for the course, the pace of the greens and the type of shot-making that would be required over the weekend.

It certainly wasn't the start I was looking for. A visit to the water on the fifth hole resulted in a five, which isn't ideal when you're trying to build momentum. However, one of the things the course demanded was patience. The greens were exceptional, but they took a bit of understanding in terms of both pace and break. It would have been easy to get frustrated, but the course rewarded patience and there was plenty of time to recover. Once I settled down and got a better read of the greens, I started to find a rhythm and that made all the difference.

I think all Pitch and Putt players are capable of getting into the right groove from time to time. The key is to play with balance, remain patient, wait for your opportunities and then take them when they come along. By that stage I had started to understand the pace of the greens much better. Once you're confident on the greens, it takes pressure off every other part of your game, particularly your pitching. Everything tends to feed into everything else. 

Yes, that run came towards the end of the day and it was one of those spells where things just seemed to click. It was a mixture of some very good pitching and, more importantly, taking the chances when they appeared. Looking back, that was probably the secret sauce all week. The course was difficult enough that opportunities didn't come too often, so when they did you had to make them count.

I think one of the biggest differences was on the greens. Those six and eight-foot putts were very good to me over the weekend, whereas they weren't always dropping for some of the other players. On a course like La Rochelle Sud, that's where championships are won and lost.

Of course I was. The online scoring system was brilliant and, while I was trying not to look at it too often, it was impossible not to be aware of what was happening around you.

As the round developed, I felt increasingly confident that I was in a strong position for the Over-55 title. However, by then my focus had shifted beyond that. I was trying my absolute best to win the overall championship.

One moment stands out in particular. The 16th hole was a brutally difficult test and the pin was positioned in probably the most dangerous part of the green. Normally, I would have played conservatively, but I made the decision to take the pin on. It was a big decision and not one I would typically make. Thankfully I hit exactly the shot I was trying to hit and pitched to about eight feet. Looking back, that was the moment when I felt I wasn't just competing for the Over-55 title anymore. I felt I had a genuine chance of winning the entire championship.

By the final hole I knew I had the Over-55 title under control. I was playing with Alexandre and I also knew Daithi's score, so I knew exactly where I stood. With one hole to play, I was one shot behind in the overall championship.

The final hole was an 83-metre pitch with a helping wind and a huge green sloping sharply from left to right. Standing on the tee I decided to go for it. There was no point playing safe. I hit a superb shot and initially thought it was very good, but it finished slightly long and right. The ball continued to run, reached the back of the green, stalled and then trickled off into a deep hollow.

As I walked towards it, I knew what the situation was. If I wanted to make the playoff, I had to hole the next shot. Under normal circumstances I would probably have putted it, but that would have been the safer option. I decided to chip. It was an extremely difficult shot and, as many of my friends will happily remind me, there is a reason I'm not renowned for my chipping. Unfortunately, I didn't execute it.

That said, I have absolutely no regrets. It was the right shot to take on. I was trying to make a playoff and win the European Championship. Very few players ever stand on the final hole of a major international championship still in with a chance of becoming champion. I had that opportunity and I was determined to take the road less travelled. Looking back, I'd make exactly the same decision again.

I was absolutely delighted for Daithi. He and Ailish travel extensively throughout Europe playing in these events and he genuinely lives and breathes Pitch and Putt. He is a tremendous player and thoroughly deserving of his success. What makes his performances even more impressive is that he tackles courses like La Rochelle Sud with a 60-degree wedge and a putter. He is a superb player and his result was richly deserved. I'd like to think that perhaps some of the words of encouragement I gave him at the Inter-County helped along the way!

As for John Walsh, he belongs in the pantheon of the greatest players ever to play our game. His pitching ability is extraordinary and has been a hallmark of his success for decades. To be fortunate enough to finish ahead of John Walsh in any tournament is a very good day. He remains one of the finest competitors our game has ever produced.

Absolutely. Vanessa was a brilliant champion. She is one of the best scramblers I have seen. Time and again she managed to recover from difficult situations and keep her momentum going. What really stood out was her putting. It was exquisite throughout the championship and on a course with greens as demanding as those at La Rochelle Sud, that is a huge advantage.

She made the game look remarkably simple on what was, in reality, a very tricky course. While many players struggled with the pace and break of the greens, Vanessa seemed to sail around the course with tremendous composure and consistency. She thoroughly deserved her victory and was the standout player over the weekend.

I'd also like to mention Alexandre Decorde, who was a pleasure to play with for all 54 holes. I like to think we encouraged each other throughout the championship and enjoyed the challenge together. Alexandre comes from a golfing background in Bordeaux and is relatively new to Pitch and Putt, but he has all the attributes to become an outstanding player in our sport. I genuinely believe he has found a new love in Pitch and Putt and I hope he continues to commit to the game in every way going forward.

One of the great strengths of our game is its ability to attract players from different backgrounds and quickly win them over. Alexandre is a perfect example of that. He embraced the challenge, competed brilliantly throughout the weekend and was fantastic company over three rounds. I wish him every success in the years ahead.

Absolutely. I love playing the game and, if nothing else, I hope I can continue to be an ambassador for Pitch and Putt. Playing well is a huge bonus, but for me it's about competing, learning and continuing to develop as a player. After all, you're never too old to improve.

I'll be playing in the International Pairs Championship in Calella and I think half of Ireland seems to be making the trip! If possible, I'll continue to play in all of the international championships while also continuing to compete at home in Ireland.

We have a fantastic sport. Very few sports allow people of all ages and abilities to compete together and enjoy themselves in the way Pitch and Putt does. Whether you're a beginner or an international player, there is a place for everyone. I honestly believe we are one of the most accessible international sports in existence. We can compete at any age, at any level and still find ways to improve. That's something very special and something we should never take for granted.

Long may it continue.