maurice flitcroft interview

When Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) imagines the moon as a golf ball, hes looking for a new way to make a living. WebWhat a film! So when I first heard of Maurice (pronounced Morris), he was like one of us. James recalls his dad once pitching a tent at Scotlands prestigious Gullane golf course, in East Lothian, only to later realise they were in the middle of the car park. Rylance connects to the contradictions in Maurice's childlike mind; to his dreamy optimism and his neglect of responsibility elements that the film hints at but can't quite reconcile, because it's too enamoured with its warm-blanket world view. We first meet Maurice Flitcroft (Rylance) sitting for a television interview. Flitcroft sent in his entry form for the 1977 championship; the R&A rejected it. Jean was proud of Maurice's character. For other inquiries, Contact Us. He was like a folk hero to us juniors because he gave a little kick in the ass to the senior members and we liked that.". If this wasn't enough, another green had a 12-inch (300mm) cup. His deception (and ineptitude) were uncovered when he managed to card a 49-over-par 121the worst score in the tournament's history;[10] some of the other professionals playing with him were so angry that they successfully demanded a refund of their entry fees. Now, 15 years after his passing at the age of 67, Flitcrofts story is hitting the big screen in a film adaption of Simon Farnaby and Scott Murrays superb book, The Phantom of The Open. Though it's his third feature behind the lens, actor-turned-director Roberts is probably still better known to audiences as the star of Richard Ayoade's charming coming-of-age debut, Submarine. I hit some balls on the playing fields and the beach where he used to practice. Jean's love for Maurice was transcendent. You got your president and it goes all the way down to the lowest rung which is the greenskeeper. This erstwhile crane driver talked of early practice sessions in a field or on the beach and revealed how he was the beneficiary of a series of instructional articles penned by Al Geiberger. I guess you would call it a docker in the U.S. but that was the only option. The missed opportunity is a shame, especially as there are glimpses of the full-tilt comedy struggling to escape the tea-and-crumpets sensibility. His mother had been also dragged into proceedings when the press sought her out to ask if she felt the Open had been a step too far too soon for her son. The Phantom of the Open aims to emulate this triumph. The Phantom Of The Open opens in cinemas on March 18, 2022 and tells the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, a crane worker from Barrow-in-Furness, who despite never having played a round of golf in his life, decided to enter the British Golf Open in 1976 as a professional. It was one of my favorite books. Mark Rylance (centre), plays Maurice Flitcroft in The Phantom of The Open, which was written by Simon Farnaby (left), and directed by Craig Roberts (right). Maurice's efforts to learn golf are knockdown funny. Maurice Flitcroft genuinely believed he could win the Claret Jug. Indeed, his is not a story that ended with that ignominious Open defeat. Like that film, he has a light comedic touch and feel for the milieu he's sketching, giving us a mid-70s that feels authentically uncool: three TV channels; ABBA and Leo Sayer on the soundtrack; white people in overalls dancing to disco at dinky community halls a world where nothing, and thus everything, seems possible. But there's an enervating twee-ness to the screenplay by English writer-comedian Farnaby (adapting his and Scott Murray's book of the same name), a sense that the British feel-good formula has been fed into an algorithm that hasn't yet machine-learned the art of dramatic rhythm. It turned out he was not the gifted player he had claimed to be. He's absolutely terrible but enjoys playing the game. An open championship should be open to everyone, says Flitcroft, who has his eyes on the competitions 10,000 prize. He recalls with a smile: I wasnt keen on the confrontation but Dad revelled in it.. Mark Rylance plays Maurice Flitcroft in The Phantom of The Open. He was a remarkable man. Flitcroft was outed. (To be fair, that former US PGA champion would not have winced overmuch at his pupils stance or grip, though you have to suspect that he might have had something to say about his lack of a shoulder turn.). [6], In a July 2006 article in Golfonline, Flitcroft said, "I was in show business. Literally. I toured with a revue, and I used to jump into a tank on the stage, I was a stuntcomedy high diver. (Laughs) I dont think I would do better than Maurice. He always kept a very positive mindset about things, no matter how badly they were going. He has been a journalist for more than 10 years and was shortlisted for Bauer Media Journalist of the Year in 2019. RELATED: Maurice Flitcrofts incredible story. He tried to play a hand other than what was dealt to him. The Phantom of the Open resounds on many levels. He entered as Gerald Hoppy and made it into a qualifying round in 1984, dressed up as a suave Swiss and sporting a moustache. Wiki4All. - Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections. Farnaby admits he would have liked to be the leading man in his early acting days but he realized people thought he was funny and so he chose to enter the comedy side of the entertainment world. Perhaps Flitcrofts legacy other than this movie is he forced the R&A to institute stricter checks on entry forms, with names flagged up if there is anything suspicious. Maurice Gerald Flitcroft was a British golfer and audacious The next problem had to do with the venue. AS unknown golfer Maurice Flitcroft teed up his ball to take a tilt at the sports most eminent tournament, something was clearly amiss. The film includes a sweet scene of Flitcrofts wife picking up the invitation in the mail and showing it to her husband and their three sons. Maurice Flitcroft follows Seve Ballesteros at The Open. Flitcroft wasnt even a member of a golf club. 'The Phantom of the Open' Brings Maurice Flitcroft's Amusing, Inspiring Story to Big Screen New movie, based off a book by the same name, chronicles a British I just hit a lot of balls into a practice net, though. Number: 1394141; H Bauer Publishing, Company Number: LP003328 So he took up golf; well, sort of. 20. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. All registered in England and Wales. Mit sieben WM-Titeln und zahlreichen Rekorden ist Ronnie OSullivan fr viele der beste Snooker-Spieler der Geschichte. I saw Tiger Woods making a 10 on one hole. You were allowed to tee off for about five minutes every other Tuesday (laughing). We first meet Maurice Flitcroft (Rylance) sitting for a television interview. Such steps, he thought, would enable him to play in the 94 Open under his own name and as an amateur. He wasn't skilled. Starring Mark Rylance and Sally Hawkins, watch the delightful #ThePhantomOfTheOpen tee off only in cinemas March 18. pic.twitter.com/lh6bRdbDMv. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. It's what the current parlance might call shudder 'nicecore'. Its imaginative delivery and superb acting are an absolute joy to behold. The Phantom of the Open, based on an eponymous book by Simon Farnaby and Scott Murray, is being distributed in the UK by eOne and will be screened in cinemas from 5 November. Maurice showed that one mustnt be put off thinking they will never be as good as so and so. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. I said, Dad, we have to take the tent down.. Now Sir Mark Rylance is portraying Maurice, who died in 2007 aged 77, in new film The Phantom Of The Open which mines the have-a-go hoaxers comical character for all it is worth. Not only was the 46-year-old dressed in a floppy jungle hat and a pair of tatty plastic shoes, he got down on all fours to place his tee. Flitcroft was taking his golf as seriously as any of his professional counterparts but, on the rare occasion when we werent looking for golf balls, he regaled me with details of his career. The bystanders, who had hoped for something a bit special, returned to the clubhouse. They were an old-fashioned couple, James says: They supported each other in every endeavour. But James did not always like caddying because it often meant facing furious officials when Maurice had been rumbled. Maurices twin sons had no idea their dad was taking part in the British Open qualifying during the summer of 1976 and neither did his employers. He didn't have anyone to tell him you're really not very good because golf is a game you can play on your own. That was and remains the highest score ever. He entered one tournament as General Hoppy of France, wearing a drooping moustache. Maurice had turned up to watch and got close enough to Seve to be photographed with him. He was a comedy high diver, he was a stunt diver and he couldn't do that either. The next minute hes got himself a set of clubs and is practising every day.. Ive made a lot of progress in the last few months and Im sorry I did not do any better. Actually, the R&A told Flitcroft in no uncertain terms he wasnt playing the second round. He humorously recalls growing up during World War II when dreams of fancy were put on hold. He had a very strong sense of justice, probably more so than we depicted in the film. But on Friday of this week in the But Flitcroft became the scourge of the games authorites, flouting his ban by applying for qualifying under foreign names and wearing disguises, and rapidly becoming a folk hero with British fans. Your email address will not be published. [1] Other more ludicrous names used were Arnold Palmtree and Count Manfred von Hoffmanstel, together with physical disguises such as wearing a false moustache and dark glasses. The fact he wasnt put down by that and realised he could apply from abroad as a foreigner and wear a disguise, I just loved that. James says: He was fined for playing on the grammar school field, about a 100 yards away from where we lived.. Flitcroft, along with his son, Gene, who was serving as his driver-cum-caddie, arrived on to the first tee with a minute to spare and, straightaway, Gene put an interested cluster of bystanders in the picture. Flitcroft recalled, "I was looking to find fame and fortune but only achieved one of the two". The R&A did not screen applications from pros, Lorna said. First, Flitcroft was no different to any of the other well-known names of the day in asking for appearance money and expenses. He kind of sees himself in Maurice Flitcroft. It will be released theatrically in the United States on June 3rd from Sony Pictures Classics. [4][5], After leaving school, Flitcroft joined the Merchant Navy. After 63 shots, the R&A realised the man with the false moustache was Flitcroft. VAT no 918 5617 01 At a time when golf's greatest hero has proved himself all too fallible, the story of its greatest anti-hero could be just what the game needs\"--The Spectator\"Laugh-out-loud funny, joyous and brimming with affection for its subject - The Phantom of the Open is the best sports book I've read in years. He quite liked the idea when he saw us cleaning them and practising with our mates. Farnaby wrote the screenplay. WebFlitcroft had golfing ambitions well above his ability and came to notoriety in 1976 when, posing as a professional golfer, he managed to obtain a place to play in the qualifying Michael joined Todays Golfer in 2016 and has exclusively interviewed dozens of Major champions, including Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. As for mischievous Maurice, he bombed out of qualifying after an 18-hole score of 121 at Merseysides Formby Golf Club a disastrous 49 OVER PAR and the worst round in British Open history. Ive probably played less than 10 times on the golf course, so I had to book some lessons with a pro to become the worst golfer in the world. Maurice Gerald Flitcroft (23 November 1929 24 March 2007) was a British golfer. While the brothers took a fair amount of ribbing, it was far worse for Maurice who was given his marching orders from work. Maurice Flitcroft was the fearless rookie who tricked the R&A in 1976 and became a cult hero for decades to come. This is the remarkable story of 'The Phantom of The Open' Maurice Flitcroft had some range. The dissonance gives The Phantom of the Open what passes for a point of curiosity, with Rylance getting at something some essential derangement, whether from trauma, mental illness, or a childhood dream quashed that the script can't conjure, in a film that seems to be happening beyond the frame, where only he can see it. He quickly arouses the ire of tournament officials but becomes a hero to the common man. Heres a question thats been on my mind since hearing Maurice Flitcrofts life story is about to be celebrated in a feature length film: who missed out on a potential spot in the 1976 Open Championship because the imposter conned his way into Open Qualifying? His love for theater and music deemed not practical in difficult times. The search had lasted rather longer than the regulation five minutes when Gene spotted the missile way down the road. I think he shot in the low 90s." Twelve as it turned out. Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes. And what a great film it would make. I had met her when we both worked at the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada). Therell be less pressure that way, he said. For a someone who couldnt hit his hat, Maurice Flitcroft has certainly left a lasting legacy, #JustSaying: The Championship Committee reserves the right to disqualify any competitors making a false statement on his entry form. R&A policy post Flitcroft. I hope he enjoyed it as much as we did. That was an incredible experience. Well, it was the first film I made during the pandemic in 2020. At the end of our round at Windermere, Flitcroft told me that he was not bothering with that years Open at Royal St Georges but would instead be heading for The Belfry. Flitcroft refused to be defined by harsh criticism, mockery, and the scorn of an elitist golf culture. Hes flung around the world like a golf ball, dizzy with the sense of possibility. Our hero gave the Open a miss in 1977 but, by using a pseudonym, he tried again in 1978 and 79. We used the same type of clubs, but not the originals. He entered as Gerald Hoppy and made it into a qualifying round in 1984, dressed up as a in a recent interview on the PGA website. Actor, comedian and author Simon Farnaby wrote the screenplay for The Phantom of the Open and co-wrote the book in 2010 along with sportswriter and author Scott Murray. Following the 1976 Open, the rules were changed to prevent Flitcroft from attempting to enter again. Maurice had a very cheap set. They'd call him shipyard fodder. [4] At other times he worked as a shoe polish salesman and an ice cream man. Undeterred, Maurice practised hitting balls along his local beach, in the park, on school grounds and sometimes by sneaking on to courses at night. He says: Dad took it seriously deadly serious. He is reported as having told the members there that it was the first time he and his wife had been out of the house together "since their gas oven exploded." Roberts finds humour in golfs topsy-turvy rules: the higher the score, the worse the game. Buy it, folks. Moore, who still writes regularly for Michigan Golfer, where he was the founding editor, remembers the Flitcrofts with great fondness. There was a stigma attached to what happened at the golf. I went and visited Barrow-in-Furness and met one of his surviving sons, James, and his grandchildren. He says: It was filling up with cars. He, too, was stopped in his tracks after a few holes. Flitcroft kept trying to pull off his hoax in qualifying rounds in later years. Whitten further said, "It was a different sort of experience, I'd never met a crane operator from England. Michael Catling is the Features Editor ofTodays Golfer. Theres an earnestness to Rylances performance, which encourages us to find inspiration in the underdog. Instead, he was a shipyard worker who had never been round a golf course in his life practising instead in muddy fields and on a local beach. He did try again in 1991, but a sharp-eyed employee recognized his signature. Then 46 years old, Flitcroft shot 121, 49 over par. There was no mention of his playing in the Ryder Cup, but he hoped to have a series of lessons and get himself a handicap in the process. On anything. In desperation, Royal And Ancient secretary Keith Mackenzie played by Notting Hill actor Rhys Ifans in the new film employed a handwriting expert in an attempt to flush out the fake applications. The questions roll but all he wants is a cup of tea, with six sugars and if that joke's your, well, cup of tea, then you're probably going to have a swell time. "I think Steven Spielberg said Mark Rylance is the best actor in the world. He got the brilliant idea to invite Mr. and Mrs. Flitcroft to the tournament the next year. Mark said I've never been offered a comedy before, so we thought 'Oh God', but of course he's brilliant. He withdrew after those, er, sterling 18 holes. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. 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