Ger Holland - a credit to themselves, their families and their country
“It’s difficult to put into words how proud I am of these ladies,” beamed Ger Holland in the aftermath of Tara Dillon, Amy Galvin and Chrissie Sheedy clinching Ireland’s victory in the European Ladies Team championship at Lucan.
Ireland’s leading female coach paid tribute to the rival teams, Catalonia, Netherlands, France, Galicia and Andorra. “They are all good players. They have been on the circuit for years, a lot of them. The shorter holes took a bit of getting used to for the visiting teams.”
Playing on familiar territory must have benefited her protégés? “It’s a big advantage,” conceded Ger. “But it’s also a lot more pressure.” The Irish trio coped admirably with the pressure, clinching Strokeplay top seeding before defeating Galicia, France and Catalonia to claim top honours in the inaugural continental Team championship for ladies.
“It was new but two of the ladies had played internationally previously,” reflected Ger on Tara’s previous experience in Ireland v. Rest of Europe encounters and Willie Parker Challenge Cup on top of which, Chrissie additionally participated in the World Cup and in International Challenges v. Catalonia. “Amy has come up through the juveniles. She’s just got better and better and done tremendously well. It’s just great to see a juvenile come through and win the European Team championship with Ireland.”
Asked what her secret was for deciding partners for foursomes play, Ger expounded. “Certain people prefer certain distances, medium range, shorter range, longer range.” Consultation was her former Pitch and Putt Ireland National Secretary’s watchword in this and all other team matters. “I included the ladies in everything that I did decision wise.”
Ger is very positive about the future of the Ladies ETC. “It’ll grow. There were six teams playing the first year. Hopefully it will grow. There were nine men’s teams so possibly the teams that don’t have a ladies team this time will have a ladies team in the next championship.”
The lead-in to the championship saw Ger wrapped-up with getting everything ready and brought her into close and co-operative contact with her male counterpart. Paddy Kelly. “It was a busy few weeks, lots of preparation for the ladies and for the gents’ team as well.”
As Ireland’s Non-Playing Captain/Team Manager, Ger felt that Amy, Chrissie and Tara reaped the reward for attention to detail in advance and during the event. “The work that they put in during our practice sessions and the commitment that they showed were second to none.”
“I couldn’t have asked for better players to be on the team representing Ireland. They were a credit to themselves, their families and their country.”
Ger was effusive in her praise for organisers FIPPA, host association Pitch and Putt and Lucan who laid on such a splendid location for a championship of such magnitude. “I thank everybody involved with the organization and Lucan for the wonderful condition they presented the course in. The work on it was amazing. To all involved with the catering as well. It was an absolute pleasure to be there.
Ger’s parting shot perfectly encapsulated a glorious chapter in international Pitch and Putt history. “It was a wonderful weekend, one that we should all remember.”
