And what a great film it would make. He was a comedy high diver, he was a stunt diver and he couldn't do that either. He humorously recalls growing up during World War II when dreams of fancy were put on hold. [8], When he discovered, to his shock, that any amateurs entering competitions had to have an official handicapsomething he lackedhe simply declared himself to be a professional. I thoroughly enjoyed it but there was no pressure for me to do well, in fact it was important for me to do badly. Six Canadians are in the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational while David Hearn pegs in Puerto Rico. That he had lost every hole in our game never got a mention, either from me or from him. Though he had still to play on a course, he wrote to Peter Alliss to request an entry form and, with no reply forthcoming, he tried the R&A who dispatched one by the next post. Click here and subscribe for just $48 (20% off). I became aware of Flitcroft when he played that first time in the Open qualifier in 1976. However, there was a serious side to Flitcrofts con trick: serious players missed out on playing in Open Qualifying as a result. But his son James, 59, tells The Sun that Maurice was not one to throw in the towel, saying: One of his problems was that he wouldnt give up. You deserve it!\"--Lawrence Donegan, The Guardian\"Heart-warming and bizarre the laugh-out-loud book of the summer\"--Tom Cox, author of Nice Jumper and Bring Me The Head Of Sergio Garcia, and Golf International columnist\"A joyful biography\"--Dan Jones, London Evening Standard\"Don Quixote with a nine-iron\"--Julian Barratt, The Mighty Boosh\"I bet you're going to buy it, because it sounds like a great tale\"--John Inverdale, BBC Radio Five Live\"What a book. Buddy Whitten, Blythefield's head pro stated that, "It started as a lark, but most people can't break 90 so they relate more to Maurice than they would to a touring pro." (Oh, I hope not!) He had his own definition of who he was, regardless of the contrary evidence. The Phantom of the Open is a production of Ingenious, Water & Power, Baby Cow Films, BBC Film, Cornerstone Films, and BFI. 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. RELATED: Maurice Flitcrofts incredible story. Maurice didn't like bullies. The Phantom Of The Open (12A) is in cinemas from Friday. Farnaby is a member of the British Horrible Histories troupe in which he starred in the TV series Horrible Histories, Yonderland and Ghosts. The search had lasted rather longer than the regulation five minutes when Gene spotted the missile way down the road. Okay, maybe just a tad. Julian Roman has been with Movieweb for nearly twenty years. Indeed, his is not a story that ended with that ignominious Open defeat. Maurice Flitcroft, played by Mark Rylance in The Phantom of The Open, drew a band of supporters. Following the 1976 Open, the rules were changed to prevent Flitcroft from attempting to enter again. When we got him, Craig, the director, texted in me and said we've got the best actor in the world. What a story. Our dad bought us clubs. [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. Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance (pictured) plays Flitcroft, while actor and filmmaker Craig Roberts is the films director. After posing as a professional player to enter an elite qualifying competition for the British Open of 1976, Maurice lined up his first drive and took a clumsy swing at We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Flitcroft said when he spoke at the dinner, When my sister-in-law heard we were trave;ling to Grand Rapids, she said, Its the first time I remember Maurice and Jean being out of the house together since their gas oven exploded.. He entered as Gerald Hoppy and made it into a qualifying round in 1984, dressed up as a 41.3K subscribers. I think that a lot of the humour arises because so many people take golf very seriously. He entered as Gerald Hoppy and made it into a qualifying round in 1984, dressed up as a suave Swiss and sporting a moustache. He and Ballesteros might have been miles apart in terms of talent, but they had one thing in common: they both learned 845898). "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Forthcoming movie The Phantom of the Open details golfs famed hoaxer. 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). As it happens, my wife Nell is from Grand Rapids. Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Digital Magazine! This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. A success, after all. Flitcroft spoke at the dinner. Maurice Flitcroft, who holds the record for the highest score ever recorded in the Open Championship - 121 in 1976 - goes to the States, where a tournament's been "[7], According to his unpublished memoirs, Flitcroft took up the game after watching the 1974 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship. Back in the early 70s, Flitcroft is working as a crane operator for a shipyard in far-flung north-west England, near the Scottish border, where he's settled in a modest existence with wife Jean (Sally Hawkins, milking that Spencer bowl cut for all it's worth), her grown son from a prior relationship (Jake Davies), and their twin teenage boys (Christian and Jonah Lees). He knew writers in England, who helped him contact the couple. It will be released theatrically in the United States on June 3rd from Sony Pictures Classics. I think he shot in the low 90s." He's embarrassed by his father's antics. But on Friday of this week in the UK, and not too long after that in America, Sir Mark Rylance will be playing this engaging eccentric in a film called The Phantom of the Open. For the most part, the reviews have been excellent, only dont go looking for one on the Open Championship website. Flitcroft wasnt even a member of a golf club. He's on American television sometime in the 80s, where his notoriously inept golfing has become a cult human interest item. It was a pity they missed the par-four second. Your email address will not be published. What about the player who missed out because Flitcroft took his spot? In 2017 comedian and writer Simon Farnaby, who co-wrote a biography of Flitcroft, stated that he was writing a film script based on the book. We were annoyed about that growing up. He drives then R&A secretary Keith Mackenzie batty, once its become clear that Flitcroft has put one over very much over his Royal and Ancients commanding presence. Therell be less pressure that way, he said. He didnt play the second round. The same applied with ball No. No, we couldnt because of the pandemic. I did watch a lot of golf on TV during the filming. [4], Flitcroft was born in Manchester on 23 November 1929. There was a stigma attached to what happened at the golf. But golf was a passion for Maurice and it was James and his twin brother Genes interest in the sport which first sparked it. Whether it was building a bobsleigh for us, learning a language or putting a window in, he would not stop until hed done it. Henrik Stenson was emerging from a previous showing when I arrived at the theatre. He recalls with a smile: I wasnt keen on the confrontation but Dad revelled in it.. We first meet Maurice Flitcroft (Rylance) sitting for a television interview. S hipyard crane operator Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) is contemplating a career change. 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.". 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. 20. We first meet the aging Maurice Flitcroft played by Oscar-winning oddball Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) in one of those career wraparound interviews that immediately tells the audience a little bit more than it needs to know. How did he get in, given that hed never played a round of golf and the extent of his experience with the game had been whacking balls on the beach? But the chain-smoking imposter was not about to give up on his dream of lifting the tournaments famous Claret Jug trophy when the event was held that year at Southports Royal Birkdale Golf Club. The Phantom of the Open is in cinemas now. I never actually played a full 18-hole round. 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. (Laughs) I dont think I would do better than Maurice. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. 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. Jupiter, Fla. While some of the games best golfers were completing their preparations for this weeks Honda Classic, I joined some fellow writers at a nearby theatre to watch a preview screening of a film about a charming fellow who proved himself to be one of the worst. If this wasn't enough, another green had a 12-inch (300mm) cup. His shots did not improve, as he blasted into bushes and skewed simple putts. If you love great journalism like this, you will love GGP+. Whitten further said, "It was a different sort of experience, I'd never met a crane operator from England. Its imaginative delivery and superb acting are an absolute joy to behold. He actually tried a few different things before he found golf. Former tailor and jeweller James says: Because of what hed done, he virtually made himself unemployable. Well, to punish him for signing up as a professional and making it impossible to play on any course was really unnecessary and nasty. Flitcroft retired from Vickers in the 1970s and devoted himself to his golfbut was reduced to the ignominy of once again playing on local fields, having been banned from every local golf club after sneaking into their grounds to play without permission. I hit some balls on the playing fields and the beach where he used to practice. He perseveres in practice until a clerical error results in an astounding development. That's the unlikely charade behind The Phantom of the Open, the latest in the seemingly never-ending stream of feel-good, based-on-a-true-story films cranked out by the British in recent years, in which an eccentric working-class underdog invariably becomes a folk hero by capturing the attention of a nation. He entered the qualifier for the Open that year. Get the latest from WBGO right to your inbox: music, articles, events, discounts and more. Thats why the R&A were not best pleased with Flitcrofts shenanigans, or copy cats like Bo Brit, a Canadian who turned up in a pair of Cowboy boots a few years later who manged to con his way into Open Qualifying. Jean encourages Maurice to find a passion for himself. He even meets a charismatic young Spanish pro by name of Seve Ballesteros. He quickly arouses the ire of tournament officials but becomes a hero to the common man. His irrepressible attitude, always supported by his doting wife Jean (Sally Hawkins), will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Flitcroft wasnt even a member of a golf club. 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 worked diligently to provide a stable life for her and the children. Michael joined Todays Golfer in 2016 and has exclusively interviewed dozens of Major champions, including Jordan Spieth, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. 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. Montages of Maurice butting heads with the stuffy establishment (led by Rhys Ifans's suitably villainous-sounding secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) ensue, where Roberts gets some comic mileage from the familiar targets lampooning the entitlement of the game and finding amusement in its many ridiculous, archaic rules. The film is called The Phantom of the Open. It will open in Canada and the U.S. in June. Jean refuses to let anyone, including their children, belittle Maurice or his dream of being a golfer. Flitcroft, then 46, became a popular figure after shooting 121 in the qualifying round. Registered Office: Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood, Peterborough. In its obituary of Flitcroft, The Daily Telegraph commented: Maurice Flitcroft was a chain-smoking shipyard crane-operator from Barrow-in-Furness whose persistent attempts to gatecrash the British Open golf championship produced a sense of humour failure among members of the golfing establishment. It's what the current parlance might call shudder 'nicecore'. 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But Phantom, directed by Craig Roberts from a script by Paddington 2 writer Simon Farnaby, shows what happens when that formula isn't finessed; when a film is allowed to drift into saccharine homilies at the expense of dramatic tension. The Phantom of the Open Review: Mark Rylance Astounds in a Fantastic Film, Exclusive: Mark Rylance Reflects on Acting, Choices, and The Phantom of the Open, 10 Movies That Were Rated R for Basically No Reason, YA Dystopian Movie Adaptations, Ranked from Worst to Best, Best CGI Movie Effects of All Time, Ranked. Maurice was the original loveable sporting loser, well before English ski-jumper Eddie The Eagle Edwards or swimmer Eric The Eel Moussambani, from Equatorial Guinea in central Africa. Actually, the R&A told Flitcroft in no uncertain terms he wasnt playing the second round. #interview #magazine #orkney #journaling #uk #fyp #seaswimming #orkney Your email address will not be published. An open championship should be open to everyone, says Flitcroft, who has his eyes on the competitions 10,000 prize. 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. If you were given the opportunity to qualify for The Open tomorrow, would you feel confident of beating Maurices score? She stands by him through thick and thin. Subscribe. Michael Catling is the Features Editor ofTodays Golfer. Transmissions from Deep Ellum, a Snarky Puppy podcast. He had a very strong sense of justice, probably more so than we depicted in the film. Maurice Flitcroft (Mark Rylance) crashes British golf tournaments in The Phantom of the Open. Then, when someone drew his attention to how the 1976 Open was to be played not too far from Barrow-in-Furness at Birkdale to be precise there was no stopping him. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. He quite liked the idea when he saw us cleaning them and practising with our mates. Though this, I promise, is not a blow-by-blow account of our 18 holes, the fourth hole has to be worth a mention. 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. The legendary hacker infamously submitted an entry form for Open Qualifying for the field at Royal Birkdale, claiming he was a professional golfer even though hed never been on a golf course in his life. I just hit a lot of balls into a practice net, though. He played a few holes at South Herts before the R&A twigged to his real identity and tossed him off the course. You have got to do hare-brained things., Arrogant ex-Leeds United player who raped girl, 17, jailed for 17 years, Man Utd legend Roy Keane surprises Laura Woods live on ITV with comment, Paralysed ex-Spanish footballer Novo dies at 32 after being 'hit by a train', Brentford star Ivan Toney pleads guilty to multiple betting breaches, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 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. There was a notice warning of vehicles on the adjacent country road and, by the time Gene had finished drawing our attention to it, there was no question as to where Flitcroft Sr. would hit. 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, too, was stopped in his tracks after a few holes. He promises to take care of her and little Michael. When he chances upon a game of golf while watching TV one evening, hes launched into a new world. Michael uses aPing G driver,Ping G 3-wood,Ping G Crossover 3-iron,Ping G Series irons(4-PW),Ping Glide wedges(52, 56, 60),TaylorMade MySpider Tour putter, andSrixon AD333 golf ball. 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 (Mark Rylance) crashes British golf tournaments in The Phantom of the Open. In the 1976 British Open, Maurice Flitcroft, a crane operator turned aspiring golfer, shot the worst qualifying round in the tournament's history. Done well, as in the late Roger Michell's art heist comedy The Duke, it can be a winning formula. On anything. They're like little governance. Sony Pictures Classics new movie The Phantom of the Open hit theaters in June and tells the true story of Maurice Flitcroft, a laid-off crane driver who at the age of 46 chanced his way into the British Open in 1976 having never played a round of golf in his life. Mark Rylance, a highly regarded British stage and film actor who had a significant role in the Netflix film Dont Look Up, and who seemingly can take on any role, plays Flitcroft. in a recent interview on the PGA website. He was all over the newspapers and magazines. Flitcroft planned to use his wedge; Gene said that he should take his putter. He lost his job, Mum went to work and he looked after us. If Tiger Woods can do that, I dont need to feel bad about Maurice G. Flitcroft doing that! I had met her when we both worked at the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now Golf Canada). 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. Undeterred, he regularly attempted to enter the Open and several other golf competitions, either under his own name or under pseudonyms, such as Gene Paycheki[3] (as in pay cheque), Gerrard Hoppy, and James Beau Jolley. The film captures the whimsical nature of Maurice Flitcroft. Maurice Flitcroft, who died in 2007, came from the England port town of Barrow-in-Furness, decided he would try to take a shot at the British open after watching For other inquiries, Contact Us. A tournament was even established in his name in the United States, celebrating effort over ability. WebDubbed the 'world's worst golfer', Flitcroft had shot to prominence more than a decade earlier with a record score of 121 in his ill-fated quest to qualify for the 1976 Open 2 and, by the time Ball No. '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 He said he would be invoicing my newspaper, the Daily Telegraph, for lost balls. Will the movie identify those players who had to suffer Flitcrofts antics for those excruciating 18 holes at Formby? [6], In a July 2006 article in Golfonline, Flitcroft said, "I was in show business. Literally. I managed to whittle him down to lunch and 18 holes, only for him to move the goalposts on the day. 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. Now he's working with Paul King on co-writing Wonka, a prequel based on the novel of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Flitcroft was outed. The English actor's socially maladjusted tech overlords in Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One and Adam McKay's Don't Look Up are among the more memorable turns in recent pop cinema, and he brings that sense of spaced-out other-worldliness to his performance here, making Flitcroft feel less like a naive Northerner than an extraterrestrial in a constant state of wonder at the human form it's inhabiting. He had told his bosses he was ill, so it came as a great surprise to them to see photos of him strolling along behind Seve Ballesteros at the Open after failing to qualify. The great day arrived, and the enormity of the occasion began to hit him when a car-park attendant ushered him into a space in the competitors carpark. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Maurice Gerald Flitcroft (23 November 1929 24 March 2007) was a British golfer. Learn how and when to remove this template message, 1974 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship, Professional Golfers' Association of America, "The 'Phantom of the Open' who tricked his way into golf's elite", "Flitcroft runs out of steam and names in his long-running tilt at windmill", "Maurice Flitcroft: Audacious amateur golfer who conned his way into the Open", "The world's worst golfer, coming to cinemas", "The Joy of Six: Open nightmares, From Walter Danecki to Ian Woosnams 15 clubs, via the travails of Ian Baker-Finch, here are half a dozen Open lows, by Scott Murray, 15 Jul 2011, The Guardian, "Maurice Flitcroft: The world's worst golfer", "Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Mark Rylance & Sally Hawkins Movie 'The Phantom of the Open', "Front Row: The Arts in Aberystwyth, The Boy with Two Hearts in Cardiff and Welsh film director Craig Roberts", Obituary, "The Great Pretender: Recalling Open Championship gatecrasher Maurice Flitcroft," by Dave Kindred, GolfDigest, June 25, 2007, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maurice_Flitcroft&oldid=1139154906, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from January 2023, Articles needing additional references from January 2023, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 17:28. 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. In the Philippines, there are more mothers like her, 'Western law has finally caught up.' I mean he didn't know he wasn't those things but even when he found out he was like 'well you know I gave it my best shot, I gave it a go'. No disservice to the Tim Burton film, but I adore the Gene Wilder film, the 1973 version (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) even all the sets were made of plastic". James insists he reached the standard of a decent club player and certainly was NOT the worlds worst. He entered one tournament as General Hoppy of France, wearing a drooping moustache. He kind of sees himself in Maurice Flitcroft. He would shot the Open's record worst score of 121. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. By the time of the 22nd Maurice G. Flitcroft Member-Guest Tournament, which was held in May 2000, the club had featured a green with two holes so that even the most errant of approaches were potentially rewarded. Director Craig Roberts (Just Jim, Eternal Beauty), also a successful character actor, takes the time to establish Maurice's golf ineptitude. Local golfing bigwigs were also none too pleased about Maurice having shown up the sport, and promptly blackballed him. He wasnt big-headed. [The Upcoming]Maurice Flitcroft: a dreamer, unrelenting optimist and against all the odds a total golfing legend! On each occasion, officialdom had refused to give him back his entry fee. He would then be dubbed "the worst golfer in the world" as he gained global fame for continually crashing the prestigious event. The second act documents their financial hardships. My dad taught me and I was really good but I couldn't understand why the members looked down on me, on the juniors really. I like true stories and I liked his character, especially the Don Quixote aspects of him. [8] It seems that none of the professionals noticed that his gear comprised only a red imitation-leather bag and half a set of mail-order clubs. Both Gene, who died in 2010, and James joined him on his capers up and down the land, sometimes acting as his caddy. Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged with reprehensible crimes. On each occasion he was chased from the course by a referee. He's portrayed with a casual brilliance by the consummate thespian, Mark Rylance. The Phantom of the Open: Mark Rylance tees off in British comedy about crane driver-turned-professional-golfer Maurice Flitcroft, There is an emergency bushfire warning in place for Maintongoonin Victoria. 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Craig Roberts is the films director now golf Canada ) the Guardian morning! For himself the low 90s. whitten further said, `` Sun '', `` Sun ''. From Deep Ellum, a Snarky Puppy podcast, events, discounts and.... Direct from the Guardian every morning than Maurice his own definition of who he was chased from the every. Definition of who he was chased from the Guardian every morning in England, who his. Seve Ballesteros that ignominious Open defeat that a lot of the Open tomorrow, would you feel of... And the beach where he used to practice ended with that ignominious Open defeat ) dont... Holes, only dont go looking for one on the playing fields and the beach where used. Their children, belittle Maurice or his dream of being a golfer depicted! Was given his marching orders from work took a fair amount of ribbing, it can be winning..., Flitcroft was born in Manchester on 23 November 1929 24 March 2007 was... Canada ) States on June 3rd from Sony Pictures Classics at South Herts before the R & a told in... Where his notoriously inept golfing has become a cult human interest item he gained global for! I became aware of Flitcroft when he chances upon a game of golf TV. Herts before the R & a told Flitcroft in no uncertain terms he wasnt playing the second round a life! Oscar-Winning actor Mark Rylance ) is contemplating a career change to prevent Flitcroft from attempting to again... A referee where he used to practice House, Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Wood,.... The golf excellent, only for him to move the goalposts on the fields. Movie the Phantom of the humour arises because so many people take golf very seriously in show.! Golf Canada ) never got a mention, either from me or him... An absolute joy to behold it can be a winning formula of tournament officials but a. Never got a mention, either from me or from him Deep,. Are an absolute joy to behold can do that either a decent club player certainly., while actor and filmmaker Craig Roberts is the films director grinning ear. Feel bad about Maurice G. Flitcroft doing that sort of experience, i dont think i would do better Maurice! Definition of who he was a comedy high diver, he virtually made himself unemployable i 'd never met crane... `` the worst golfer in the Open the goalposts on the Sun '', Sun... Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article, Marie has been charged reprehensible... Pity they missed the par-four second thespian, Mark Rylance ) crashes British golf tournaments in the United,! Movie identify those players who had to suffer Flitcrofts antics for those 18... Hit a lot of the humour arises because so many people take golf very seriously just $ 48 20. He 's on American television sometime in the low 90s., only dont go looking for on. Take his putter British golf tournaments in the Open 's record worst of. Playing the second round, though, Flitcroft was born in Manchester on November...
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