25 Oct 2017 at 20:45 | Published by: Sheila | Views: 26717 | News search

Markus Janssen celebrates (credit: Markus Janssen FB page)  (Photo by )

In what has been a busy summer, reporter Steve Lovell finally got to speak to World Senior number one Markus Janssen. The Seniors European Championship was held in Cheb, Czech Republic on August 2-5, 2017.

SL: Tell us a bit about you.

MJ: My name is Markus Janssen. I am playing for the 1. MGC Mainz, I am the President of the MGC Dormagen-Brechten and the Cashier of my starting club BGC Uerdingen. In my profession, I´m an IT manager and during the winter time, I am a supporter of the ice hockey club Krefeld Pinguine.

SL: Firstly, congratulations on your victory in Cheb, your first time as the European Seniors Strokeplay Champion. How did you feel the tournament went for you?

MJ: Thanks you very much for your greetings. Yes, it was the first time. I felt very comfortable during the tournament. The Nations Cup gave me already a good mood for the course. I performed well, miss the blue rounds, but at the end I could make it.

SL: You have been close before, a silver in 2011 and 2013, a bronze in 2015, although you did win the matchplay in 2016. Did you think that winning the strokeplay title might never happen?

MJ: All the years, I was very close to the title. I started to analyse what reason this causes. I came to the result it was me, so I tried to develop my personal strategy to cover that problem, together with my wife Anja, in coaching sessions. In 2017, I have won all the big individual tournaments. So I started the EM with my personal goal for the gold medal. Sounds strange, bringing so much pressure on me, but I did it that way.

SL: Can you describe your preparation for a tournament like the European Seniors?

MJ: We start at the beginning with the boring desk research. Find out what tournaments are played there, look for course maps, what were the results, having a first target. Find out what technical skills will be expected (Looping, with what kind of technic). The Nations Cup was the first time getting numbers about the course. That brings you on your target for the EM. We are seniors, so make your basics first, than standard and then the difficulties. Relaxing, I had no time for that. Sleeping is my relaxing.

SL: For the people who have never been to Cheb, what do you think of the courses and the city of Cheb?

MJ: A nice place for playing professional minigolf. The course has everything what you request during a tournament. OK, some more toilets could be nice. The eternit course is more difficult than the concrete course. After a heavy rain, the eternit course is running different, a lot more than on other courses. Cheb itself is a nice city, with some old houses, Interesting to visit, good restaurants and cheap beer. Eight times cheaper than last year in Finland. You should also not miss to visit Carlsbad, which is nearby.

SL: You have been the World number one in the senior category since the end of 2013. Do you feel any extra pressure or are you used to it now?

MJ: Since 2013, a long time. Getting first was a stony way. They were kidding me with been number one without winning a tournament. This stopped now.

SL: Which players do you see as you main rivals to be number one?

MJ: Roman Kobisch is very closed to me, second from Sweden Daniel Agren, but he was not playing the nations cup, therefore he missed some points. But mostly, it´s Walter Erlbruch, he is old enough playing the seniors tour. This year, he´s again been selected playing the WM for Germany.

SL: Germany were once again very strong in the senior category. Why do you think Germany are always the country to beat and which countries do you think are your biggest challengers?

MJ: If you following the medals winner of the last year, it´s Sweden. And even if it’s on felt like next year, they will be the favourites. But with a lucky day or two, you should always have Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic on your list.

SL: You obviously see a lot of players, are there any up and coming youngsters, or indeed seniors, you have seen that could go all the way and be a champion?

MJ: I´m getting older. Now playing the seniors tour seven years in a row. You should always screen all new playing in the age of 45. I believe in Josef Vozar. I like his playing style and he was this year very close in getting the title. Roman Kobisch too, I see also and my old fellows Reinhard Schuster and Francesco Leuci.

SL: If you could pick three players to play a round of minigolf with, who would you pick?

MJ: Walter Erlbruch, Anders Olsson and Carl-Johan Ryner.

SL: You have been playing minigolf for nearly forty years. What keeps you wanting to play the sport?

MJ: Minigolf is outdoor, you meet your friends, a lot of different skills are required, everybody is playing minigolf and you can play it five minutes before your life is over.

SL: Once again, well done on such a fantastic performance, Markus.

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