The meeting began with a Pitch and Putt competition for the Executive Committee members, Committee members from Competition and Communication as well as Juan Redondo from Madrid Golf Federation Pitch and Putt committee. Juan Redondo was the winner on 59, followed by Elia Casali and Alvaro Garnica, both on 60.

Angel Boix was elected as the new Treasurer treasurer@i-pp-a.org and Mr Alvaro Garnica Sainz de los Terreros as the new legal advisor of IPPA, both members of the Executive Committee.

Among many issues, the meeting approved the Strategic Plan for 2010 – 2013, with its four cornerstones: vision, mission, values and players. The objectives, key strategies and major goals were also unanimously approved.

The Competition Calendar for 2010 will be published during December, the first tournament being the IPPA World Invitational in Valencia, Spain, on 26 and 27 March.

Finally, the meeting agreed on the importance of focusing on the player’s requirements and that R&A rules of Golf should apply to IPPA tournaments, except for the distances and number of clubs.

During the meeting, Mr. Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of EGA, came to greet the Executive Committee and he confirmed his support to IPPA and our initiatives.

The declared policy of IPPA is to work to provide exciting competitions of a high standard for players all over the world.

If your federation/association is unable to send a team, please let us know as we shall extend the invitation to other organisations in your country.

We sincerely hope that this inaugural event in Valencia will give as many players as possible an opportunity to appreciate the enormous potential of international Pitch & Putt so that we can all work together for the future of the sport.

Details of the event can be found below…
Invitational Conditions & Program

The sport of golf has been voted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session for inclusion in the programme of the 2016 Olympic Games.
After a pause of 105 years golf is again an Olympic sport. Last time golf was played was at the Games in 1900 in Paris and in 1904 in St Louis.
Format of the golf competition for the Games proposed by the International Golf Federation (IGF): eight-day competition (four for men and four for women) with 60 men and 60 women. Both men and women play 72 holes of stroke play, 18 holes per day. Medals will be awarded to the three competitors with the lowest total score.
IPPA wishes to reiterate its desire of collaborating with international golf organizations.

The Academy was inaugurated on 5th September, at Cantanhede, a city situated about 20 kms off the strategic triangle built by the old Coimbra university city, the beach city of Figueira da Foz, a very popular place until the beginning of the XXth century by the Madrid bourgeoisie and that of the City of Aveiro, also named the “Portuguese Venice”.

The teaching area has a driving range with 10 boxes, a pitching-green and a putting-green with about 600 m2.

The training and competition area has a nine hole P&P, in accordance with IPPA standards.

The greens at the Academy are covered by synthetic grass, this having lower maintenance costs, being the first golf infrastructure in the country using that technical option.

The P&P field has thirteen tees with a different type of artificial turf different from the one used in the greens, allowing the use of the balls supporting tees.

The Academy is part of the Cantanhede Sportive Complex, which has three soccer fields and a bicycle track, located about three minutes by car from the center of the city, easily accessed by bicycle or public transport, next to the Biocant Park – International Center of Biotechnology.

The Municipality of Cantanhede decide to build a P&P course, to better answer the wish of having a golf complex used by all the population of the County, independently of age and/or their social economical conditions.

IW: Was this competition a success? Does it deserve the title “Italian Open”?

IP: Yes, it was; yes, it does. From an organisational point of view, the team at Virginia Pitch and Putt club was well prepared and went to great lengths to ensure its success. From 6 in the morning till 11 at night, the ground staff, the office staff, the people in the kitchen and in the restaurant and all the voluntary helpers were available, helpful and always smiling. In the three days I was there, I never heard a cross word or a complaint of any kind.

IW: What about the standard of play?

IP: The scores may not seem outstanding but it is a demanding course which can soon turn nasty. Andrès Pastor’s opening 48 reflects a high degree of mastery and control. Under the pressure of the final round, he could only manage a 57 and just 3 players got round in par. It was good to have players from five different countries

IW: Is the course worthy of such an event?

IP: Being a 9 hole course makes it very difficult to run such an event. In every other respect, the course is a tip-top Pitch and Putt lay-out; it was beautifully prepared; and the two tee-boxes at least give the impression that you are playing 18 different holes. It poured with rain for 6 hours between midnight and 6 a.m. on Saturday morning and I arrived at 7 expecting to live another day like the one at La Grande Motte, which washed out a round of the World Championship. But no, we were able to tee off on time with just a few patches of occasional water, which dried out quickly.

IW: So the weather was not good?

IP, No, it was perfect; warm but not too sunny and with very little wind. Players and spectators had a great time.

IW: The high spots?

IP: Enrico’s sand save on the play-off hole which forced Andrès to sink a very tricky putt.
The look on Mark Fromings’ face when he received an autographed premier league football as best-placed junior. He also recorded the best score in Round 3.
Kissing a pretty blonde when asked to present the lady’s prize to Virginia of Virginia.
The gala dinner – Italian cuisine at its best + a wonderful atmosphere.
Excellent and convenient accommodation at a reasonable price. Etc, etc., etc. .

IW: The black spots?

IP: None at all. With events of this quality, IPPA has a bright future.

IW: What about IPPA’s future?

IP: Last week, we received official confirmation of our registration as an international sporting organisation. We can now start really making our presence felt in the world, especially in the golfing world. We have a meeting in Madrid in November to put the final touches to our strategic plan and we shall be making some important announcements. Watch this space!

Italian Open - the winning style

In the ladies division it was Italy’s Virginia Arzani who took the honours and the seniors
was won by Fabrizio Frassoldati.

Italian Open winner - Andres Pastor

Italian Open 2009 results

This annual event is one of the highlights of the international calendar.

Full entry details can be found on the document attached as well as information about accomodation options.

Italian Open details

Italian Open accomodation