2. Now you have your own course. How often do you practice?
Yes I have my own course and I spend a lot of time there, but
90% of the time I am working on the land, and other times I am showing
people around the course. I don't practice very much.
3. What´s your advice for beginners to develop their game?
I learned to analyse my own throwing, and this is important, but
beginners should study the best players and ask them for advice. The basic
body position can be observed and copied; then you have to feel balanced,
and that will require adjustments to your body position.
5. Which discs do you have in your bag and why?
I have soft magnets for putting and approaches up to 70m - they
fly so straight! For longer throws that are straight or hyzer I like to
use a beat up Roc. For roll curves I prefer the Comet. My main overstable
driver is a Champion Firebird, then I have a Cyclone 2 which is a little
overstable. I have beaten up Polaris LF which is straight or even a little
understable, then a beaten up eagle which is understable, and finally
a really beaten up Polaris LS which I use for rollers. I know exactly
how these discs fly, but if I lost a one of them it would be difficult
to find another one that is the same. I'm sure that other models of disc
would be just as good. The important thing is to know your discs well.
6. Are your discs lasting for long?
Yes, most of my discs have been in my bag for more than a year.
7.
A good round mostly depends on successfull putting, which depends
on a good set of nerves. Can you describe your putting routine?
I like to settle myself a little bit like I am going to
meditate - relax the body, breathe easily, ackowledge any distractions
or thoughts and then dismiss them. After that I visualise the
putt - I imagine the whole flight including the trajectory it
would take if the basket did not stop it. |
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8. Are there any situations in your game where you get influenced by things
around you?
It can happen, but I try to just play my own game. If there are
distractions I recognise them and either try to stop them or make a conscious
decision to carry on and not feel any negative emotion.
9. All ambitioned young Golfers dream about playing in an Open Final.
You´ve won the British National Tour more than 10 times in a row.
How are you dealing with it emotionally? Are you getting bored?
It's very easy to deal with winning and I don't feel bored of
it! It will be more difficult when my game gets worse or if people overtake
me and I stop winning.
10. Do you see yourself overtaken by newcoming players soon?
We have a couple of good american players just moved to the UK
who will be challenging me this year, in addition to existing good players.
I think I still have the edge for this year.
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11.
What was/is the best moment in Disc Golf?
The best moment for me was in the European Championships
last year when I had a play-off against Liam Young. I went OB on
the drive of the first hole of sudden death and to stay alive I
had to hole out from 12m from a difficult position under some branches.
There was a good crowd watching and that title meant a lot to me.
I won on the next hole. |
12. What makes a good/perfect designed course?
A good course should require all types of throw - left and right
curves and s-curves. I think there should also be difficulties if you
don't make the right shot. There might be steep slopes or big bushes or
trees that make it difficult to get your par and also make you think about
how to get out of trouble.
13.
What´s the best course you´ve ever played?
My favourite course is Whitcombe Farm in Beaminster.
14.
Have you ever played at the World´s? If yes, what impressed you
most?
I have played at PDGA Worlds quite a few times. The thing that impresses
me most is the volunteer effort. I really appreciate that people give
their time and energy to make an event for other people to play in.
15.
You´re also the founder of the BDGA. In Germany, there is no official
association other than the Frisbeeverband - in which Disc Golf plays a
minor role. How did establishing the BDGA help the growth of Disc Golf
in the UK?
I think it did (and does) a lot to help the sport. It's strange
because organisations don't make things happen, it's the people in them
that do things. Somehow it makes people think logically about what they
should do in the sport and take some responsibility for making things
happen.
15. Last year Beaminster was hosting the European Championships. From
talking to Richard I heard about how exited everyone involved in the organisation
was about doing such an event. What are your most important memories,
did everything work out as planned?
I was very very proud of the effort put in by many people, and
most things worked out well. I think the dinner and putting contest was
special, especially with John Notenboom and his sculpted basket. There
was a real feeling of community and fun.
16.
The PDGA wants to enforce its activities over here in Europe. What do
you think/expect from that?
This is a difficult one. I don't think the PDGA is the right structure
to be a true world organisation. However the reality is that they are
the only effective organisation that can lead the world. I think that
the course and player ratings are something that we can benefit from,
and that alone might be worth the small cost of membership that they are
now offering. If we get more involved we will probably gain more benefits
such as promotional materials, organisational ideas, sponsorship leads
and so on. The PDGA will already have tackled many issues which we are
yet to face, so we can learn from them if we strengthen the ties and increase
communication.
17.
What´s your profession/job?
I work in administration at Warwick University as an accountant.
18.
Do you want to play for the Hyzernauts?
Yes, you guys have a lot of fun. I especially like your creative videos.
To
all readers: I really want a lot of you to come and play in the
British Open on my course on July 24/25. I hope to get some tournament
web pages up soon and start taking registrations, but for now you can
see some information on the course at www.quarrypark.co.uk.
Derek |
