FIPPA Newsletter - December 2008.
Welcome to this edition of the FIPPA Newsletter.
Max Hergt and Sven Göth
Newcomers at the World Cup
fippa news caught up with Geman administrator Max Hergt to gauge his reaction and that of his colleague Sven Göth after their first international Pitch and Putt experience at October's III World Cup.
Q) Your impressions of WCIII?
We were very excited about the WC III and enjoyed being part of it. The players, Sven and me, all members of the DPPV Team Germany, were impressed by the quality and the professionalism of the level on which pitch & putt was played. It was very good to get to know the international pitch & putt scene, to get an insight view of what Pitch and Putt has become so far and how it might develop in the future.
Q) What did you and the team do to prepare?
Well, we did not have to much time to prepare for the World Cup. As you all know, our association is still very young. What we did was a competition under rules of EPPA/FIPPA to qualify for the World Cup. Our team trained very hard to be fit for the tournament and even went to Papendal to train on the course.
Q) What has the World Cup involvement done for Pitch and Putt in Germany?
The involvement of being part in the ´08 World Championships has done so much for Pitch and Putt in Germany. It was the first time ever that Germany was present at an international Pitch & Putt competition and it was a big step in the development of this fantastic sport in Germany.
Max Hergt
Q) What memories will you take of WCIII?
We left Papendal with very positive thoughts and feelings and they remained until now. We got to know very interesting people and enjoyed our sport at a very professional level.
Q) Tell us a little about DPPV?
DPPV is the abbreviation of DEUTSCHER PITCH & PUTT VERBAND E.V. – which means German Pitch and Putt Association. We established DPPV in early 2008 to create a governing body for the sport of Pitch and Putt in Germany. We had huge positive feedback for our work so far and that is very rewarding. We took another step forward in establishing the DPPV in Germany and did register it in the "register of associations". A milestone of our development was the recognition of the DPPV in EPPA and FIPPA as an associated member.
Q) What will your respective roles be?
At the moment, Sven Göth is Vice-President of the DPPV and I am the President of our Association. We take these functions very seriously and try to develop Pitch and Putt in Germany. It is very hard and will be a long haul to develop our sport to the level in which it is at in some other countries. But we are positive to walk this way!
Sven Göth
Q) What did you think of the Papendal course and the event organisation?
The course in Papendal is fantastic with all its ups and downs, bunkers and water hazards. It was very well maintained and was perfect for an event like this, especially with the hotel and convention facilities right on site. The organisation sometimes seemed to be a little bumpy. But, hey, it is a young sport and we are all growing and developing with the growth of the sport. Still, it would have been great to have more spectators, press and media at the WC. It was a world championship and therefore deserved to get more attention from the general public.
Q) Does international Pitch and Putt have a future?
Definitely! Pitch & Putt is such a great sport and must have a future. It is a sport with such a huge potential. Each one of us can be a part of that future and actively help in building it. Sven and me will definitely do that and work hard to give Pitch and Putt a great future!
Q) Will we see German players at WSCI (2009) and ETCVI (2010)?
Yes! The DPPV Team Germany will be part of WSCI 2009 and ETCVI 2010.
Q) Tell us a little about how your plans to ensure that many people will play Pitch and Putt in Germany?
Over the last few months we did develop different strategies to get the sport growing in Germany. For example, in 2009, our activity will concentrate around a few nationwide tournaments and promotional events to make our sport more puplic. Furthermore will we try to convince new members and clubs to join the DPPV to create an active Pitch and Putt scene.
Additionally, we are developing a strategy to build new Pitch and Putt courses and work actively with press and media.
Q) Did your team enjoy the experience in Papendal?
Yes, they sure did. Silvio Dietz, Ralf Kerkeling and Heiko Tigges were thrilled to represent Germany as part of the DPPV Team Germany in the Netherlands and really look forward to the future of this sport. They were overwhelmed by the warm welcome and respect they got from the other players. In the name of the DPPV, I would like to say "thank you", all of you, for welcoming us into the world of Pitch and Putt!
(with John Manning)
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