European Minigolfsport Federation

Give me five… Philipp Lewin views of a lane coach at international Championships

1. Philipp you played last year first time in Germany’s national team at Youth World Championship in Sochi. Normally lane coaches are retired from playing themselves or not playing on that level you do. What was your motivation to do this job at Seniors European Championships 2011 or with MGC Mainz women team at European Cup in Vergiate in Germany’s national team?
In Sochi, I realized that we were so successful just because we had amazing coaches and I wanted to help other people to be so successful, too, because it was a great feeling. This year I changed from the junior team to the general class and with this change I wanted to the perspective from being player to being coach. This way, I could share my knowing.

2. Sometimes the coaches at the lanes get less respect from the players, especially if they missed the shoot and blame it on the coach because of wrong ball heating and so on.
What are your experiences with the seniors in Künzell and the women in Vergiate?
I got different experiences with the seniors and the women because the seniors are more stubborn and they like to do everything their own way. The senior players do not want much help from the coaches, but as coach you have to enforce yourself. And after a mistake, you let the player blame yourself, so that they feel better and you do not discuss anything on the lane with them. The players just have to let their emotions out. The women need more personal help and that is more exhausting.

3. You are not playing German Bundesliga and appear just in 2011 at German Championships general class. What do you think about the real international superstars for example the playing field at Vergiate?
I am impressed about how much training and time they spend for their sport and how incredible results the players play. It is good to see how our international superstars impress the others teams with their results and occurrence. These players are a good example for myself.

4. You are a hopeful player to reach Germany’s top level on one side, on the other you are a good lane coach. This is sometimes quite dangerous for own targets. A national coach could think I’d like to nominate him as a player but also I need a good lane coach. So I nominate him as lane coach because I might have two or three other players on his level at the moment… So Philipp where do you see your future as player or as coach or both and what are your targets or visions for near future in minigolf?

5. What is your profession?
In summer 2011 I finished my school and now I am a student in mathematics and social studies. I hope, that I can combine my studies and minigolf in the future.

Philipp thanks a lot for the interview and all the best for your personal future.
Thank you and I wish you all the best, too.