The sun shone at Royal Meath and the large gallery enjoyed an entertaining and sportingly contested World Cup final. Morning play was very tight and only final green birdies by Ray Murphy in the foursomes and John Walsh in singles gave the home country a 2-0 advantage. Ray Murphy was always in command against Brendon Underwood in the afternoon and won by 7&6. John Ross Crangle gradually overcame the spirited challenge of Tom Rickitt. John Walsh triumphed on the final green against Aussie icon James Rogerson to complete a 5-0 success for the Irish. Netherlands finished third, beating Norway 4-1. Catalonia overcame an opening session deficit to defeat Switzerland 3-2 and place 5th. Galicia beat GB for 7th slot. 

Final scores here..

Second Flight Round Robin details..

SEMI-FINALS

Ireland and Australia will contest the IV World Cup final at Royal Meath, their first international Pitch and Putt encounter since Glenville 1997.  In sometimes miserably wet conditions on Saturday afternoon, the Irish and the Aussies qualified for the final with 3-2 semi-final victories.  Ireland overcame the Dutch despite the heroics of Rolf Kwant, who in one day claimed the considerable scalps of both John Walsh and John Ross Crangle. Inspired by James Rogerson's two singles wins, Australia beat Norway, who had earlier eliminated former two-time winners Catalonia. Catalonia will play Switzerland for 5th/6th place after beating Galicia.  The Swiss victory over Great Britain was another (albeit slight) surprise.

Semi-Final details here..


Second Flight Round Robin details..

QUARTER-FINALS

Holders Ireland will face Holland in the first of this afternoon's World Cup semi-finals. Ireland completed a 5-0 victory over Switzerland in the quarter-final while the Dutch defeated GB 4-1, Steve Deeble's Saturday win over Rolf Kwant the sole British success. Shock of the championship was plucky Norway's 3.5 to 1.5 matches quarter-final success over 2004 and 2006 World champions Catalonia. Anders Langeland defeated Marc Lloret by 1 hole for the second successive day. John Djup also won on the last green against Antonio Penalva while Brent Kristland Nerland halved with World Strokeplay champion Fernando Cano. The jubilant Norwegians will now face Australia in the last four. Australia were 4-1 victors over Galicia in the other quarter-final.

STROKEPLAY

Ireland produced a team total of 32 under par 238 to finish as No. 1 seeds after the Strokeplay qualifying round at Royal Meath.  John Walsh fired a brilliant 94 for 36 holes after a second round 44.  Ray Murphy finished on 97 while John Crange scored 100.  Crangle's opening 53 was the discard 18 and Ireland finished 26 shots clear of Catalonia.  Catalonia just pipped the impressive Australians for second slot by a single stroke.  Marc Lloret and Fernando Cano fired 99 and 100 respectively for the Catalans.  The irrepressible James Rogerson carded a fine 98 for the Australians, which was ably backed-up by 104 from Brendon Underwood, returning to Royal Meath 17 years after he represented Australia here in 1995.  Holland finished fourth on 262 and the main World Cup Matchplay flight is completed by Great Britain, Galicia, Norway and Switzerland.

Full scoreboard here

OPENING CEREMONY

Typical Irish summer showers did not deter a large attendance from enjoying the Opening Ceremony of the 4th World Cup of Pitch and Putt at Royal Meath on Thursday 23 August. PPUI President Myles McMorrow welcomed all the teams and spectators. Other speakers were Frank Smith, President of FIPPA and Chairman of the host club, Pat White. The Blanchardstown Brass Band (one of Ireland's oldest bands) entertained the gathering with some rousing tunes and then played the national anthems of the competing nations as former PPUI President (and championship referee) Eamonn Birchall raised the flags.

The draw for Friday's Strokeplay qualifying took place after the Opening Ceremony.
Click here to view..

Card of Course... Click here...

History... Click here...

Past placings... Click here...

Key facts and figures... Click here...

NUMBER OF TEAMS DOWN TO ELEVEN

The .Unfortunately, the Portugal team that had been invited to the World Cup has been forced to withdraw due to unforeseen circumstances.

COMMITTEES ANNOUNCED

The following committees will administer the World Cup

Organising Committee; Myles McMorrow (PPUI President), Michael Murphy (FIPPA), Breda Brophy (PPUI)! Billy Lynch (Royal Meath),

Competition Committee; Michael Murphy (FIPPA,), Mary Farrell (PPUI), Frank Smith (FIPPA).

TEAM LINE-UPS

Andorra  Australia Catalonia

Chile Galicia Germany

Great Britain Holland Ireland

Norway Portugal Switzerland

FORMAT AND RULES RELEASED

The top eight teams in the Strokeplay qualifying round will play-off for the World Cup in the classic well established quarter, semi-final, final system. The teams will contest the time honoured one foursome and four singles matches. The bottom seeds will compete in a four team round robin to decide the minorl placings. For full format and rules.

Click here...

IRELAND TEAM IS DECIDED

The second of two 72 holes trials was played at Royal Meath on May 26th. Ray Murphy (a World Cup winner with Ireland in 2008) and European Strokeplay runner-up John Ross Crangle qualified automatically for Ireland team to contest the IV World Cup. John Walsh was awarded a wild card place on the Ireland trio for August. For full details of the scores from PPUI site

Click here...

NETHERLANDS NAME TEAM

Rolf Kwant, Patrick Luning and Marcel Ahuis will form the Dutch trio at Royal Meath in August.

IRELAND TEAM TRIAL

27 players played 72 holes at Hillview on May 5th in the first of two tournaments to decide a couple of places on the Ireland team for IV World Cup. Ray Murphy (a World Cup winner with Ireland in 2008) and European Strokeplay runner-up John Ross Crangle are in pole position heading into the second trial at Royal Meath later this month. For full details of the scores from PPUI site

Click here...

DOZEN DO BATTLE

The FIPPA Secretariat has announced that 12 teams will contest this summer's World Cup. Three person squads from Andorra, Australia, Catalonia, Chile, Galicia, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Ireland, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland will tee it up at Royal Meath.

HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS

Each association participating in the IV World Cup is invited by hosts PPUI to 2 twin hotel rooms for 3 nights. Extra rooms / nights can be reserved by contacting the four star hotel Carlton Hotel, Blanchardstown, near Dublin directly. Outline arrangements agreed with the Carlton - close to the Royal Meath Pitch & Putt course.

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Host association PPUI has released the official World Cup poster.

Click here

27 players played 72 holes at Hillview on May 5th in the first of two tournaments to decide a couple of places on the Ireland team for IV World Cup. Ray Murphy (a World Cup winner with Ireland in 2008) and European Strokeplay runner-up John Ross Crangle are in pole position heading into the second trial at Royal Meath later this month. For full details of the scores from PPUI site

Click here...

The top eight teams in the Strokeplay qualifying round will play-off for the World Cup in the classic well established quarter, semi-final, final system. The teams will contest the time honoured one foursome and four singles matches. The bottom seeds will compete in a four team round robin to decide the minorl placings. For full format and rules.

Click here...