29 Dec 2008 at 11:34 | Published by: JJM | Views: 11428 | News search

Christian Gobetz in Canegrate 2007.  (Photo by minigolfpics.com 2007)

Christian “Gogo” Gobetz starts as the new head coach of Austrian national team. He may also consider continuing his career as a national team player — as a playing coach — if his game remains in top form, and if the coaching duties do not interfere with his playing career too much.

The former national team coach, Bernd Schaller, decided to step down from the leadership of team Austria, having coached the team at five major championships (Timisoara 2004 – Tampere 2008). During these years Schaller won the respect of many top players with his strict standards and training methods, but also received his share of criticism from players such as European Champion 2004 Heinz Weber.

Bernd Schaller served 12 years as a player in Austrian national team, between 1991 – 2003. The personal highlight of his career was individual bronze medal at Papendal World Championships 1999. In 2004 Schaller took the position of the national team coach, but planned to act also as a player at Steyr World Championships 2005. This combination seemed too difficult to handle, however, so he buried his playing career to give all his time and attention to the coaching duties.

Coaches who also play in the team are quite rare in minigolf, at least officially. But in reality, it is not rare even for the top countries that many strategic decisions are made by the most experienced players of the team, rather than by the officially nominated coaches.

Bernd Schaller in Canegrate 2007. (Photo by Kevin Botto 2007)

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