Esther De Schiffart - A third Dutch Open success

ESTHER DE SCHIFFART (NETHERLANDS)

With her win in the recent Dutch Open at Orvelte, Esther de Schiffart overtook Pilar Montero to become the fourth most successful player in international ladies open history. Esther was kind enough to share some thoughts on her latest victory with fippa.net.

We discussed some of the major turning points in her success. "I am not sure if there was a principal turning point, recalls Esther. "I started the tournament on Saturday with two steady rounds of 53." I started the final round two birdies and a hole-in-one in the first five holes.

A mini crisis followed For Esther. "Then I had a hard time in the middle of the round; I bogeyed the 14th and made a par on the 15th. Herma made two birdies and she was only one shot behind."

"I think the principal turning point was hole 17. I knew that if I focused on a good shot at the long 17th, I could get a further shot ahead and then winning was very close. And I did; I holed the putt on the 17th for birdie. That gave me a two shot lead with only one hole to play," sums up the player who now has nine podium finishes in international ladies opens.

Ironically, Esther is not very familiar with the Orvelte course and hadn't seen it for 12 months. "No actually not. I did play a match there in 2009 and 2010 but the last time I played at Orvelte was in the Dutch Open of 2013."

And she didn't visit Orvelte to practise there a lot before the event "No, only the Friday before the Dutch Open."

Sleeping on the lead in a tournament is considered to be difficult mentally. We speculated as to how well Esther slept on Saturday night? "Very good actually! I knew I was four shots ahead and had faith in myself that if I played my own game I had a very good chance of winning."

And anxiety is not normally an issue for the new Dutch Open champion. "Most of the times I don't feel nervous. Not when I am feeling good and confident. But for this tournament I had put a lot of pressure on myself. Afterwards I realised I maybe put too much pressure on myself and that is why I could not play my best game at some points."

Aside from the Dutch players, which other exponents impress Esther? "In my view the other top international players are by far the Irish ladies. In particularly Chrissie, Marian, Tracey and Tara. And, when playing in Catalunya, Abby Moscatel."

What about other sports? "I do not play golf yet, but I want to. But only occasionally and not for competition; to be good at golf takes a lot more (practice) time and I don't have it at the moment." Esther was previously involved in team sports. "I always played volleyball but since I injured my achilles last year I do not any more. Maybe in the future again. But the recovery took about a year and a half from April 2013 and I don't want that again! After the incident last year, I am now finally getting at my level of Pitch & Putt again."

Much as she would like to, Esther won't play every international open. "Unfortunately not all. Every year I try to play the Catalan Open, the Irish Open and The Dutch Open."

Esther is very clear about the attractions Pitch and Putt held for her originally. "The diversity and speed of the game. And being outside after work; it is really enjoyable and relaxing for me. Originally I played team sport and in Pitch and Putt one is always competing against one's own game; it is different and harder but good."

Her practice regime is pretty thorough. "I train in the selection of Papendal; in the winter time every two weeks and in summer time less because of the competitions. In addition, I try to stand at least once a week on the driving range and play on the course twice a week."

Esther is upbeat about the Netherlands' chances in ETC 14 in Andorra. "With the absence of the Irish team, the prospects for the Dutch are high." And speaking of the European championship, Esther would love to see a ladies event. "A European Championship for ladies would be great! But I think a ladies European Championship could be combined. However, combined does not mean combined qualification in my opinion; when there are prizes for best lady/ladies there also needs to be separate qualification requirements."

"Great players, great people," is Esther's succinct summing up of Dutch Gents Open principals, Rolf Kwant, Ray Murphy and Marcel Ahuis.

Esther firmly believes in the impending prospects for our sport globally but like many, bemoans the administrative schism. "Of course international Pitch and Putt has a future, but in my opinion the separation between FIPPA and IPPA is an unnecesary barrier. It is a small sport; don't make it smaller."

We wondered about the next ambitions for Esther de Schiffart? "To win an international open outside the Netherlands would be up there. Until now I have won the Dutch Open three times but the ambition for the future is to win an other Open." And she loves to contest the top individual official tests. "If I qualify I certainly will play in the European Strokeplay and World Strokeplay championships."

A three runner-up abroad (in Ireland, Catalonia and Norway), Esther has a number of courses that she particularly likes. "In the Netherlands my favourite courses are Papendal, Kraggenburg and Doetinchem. Worldwide I have played a dozen in Ireland and Catalunya, but actually I like them all because of the speedy greens which we don't experience a lot in the Netherlands."

Esther utilises top quality equipment. "I use two different wedges: Cleveland, Tour Action, 53 degrees & 56 degrees. The putter I use is the Oddysey Divine Line Marxman and the ball is the Taylormade Penta TP3."

The 2014 Dutch Open champion closed our brief conversation with a vote of thanks to some close allies. "I want to mention the course owner of Papendal (Suzanne Bosch) and the pro (Peter Phoelich) for the many training facilities and time they are putting in. And my friends & family (in particurlarly Maurits) who support me all the time!"