14 Sep 2009 at 09:09 | Published by: Hans | Views: 9832 | News search

Hans Olofssons last shot in his career, saving his clubs Kungälvs place in the Elitserien.  (Photo by Göran Widlert 2009)

Interview with Hans Olofsson (HO), Kungälv BGK

HB: In the last edition of the Swedish Minigolf Magazine "Bangolf" it is stated that you have made your last competition shot. Is that correct?

HO: I have made my last tournament shot in what I call “real” minigolf, that is felt, concrete & eternit within the Swedish or International tournament calendar.

Things can always change and have done so before for me, but this time I have sold my minigolf balls, even my Classic 1’s….

I will play the finals in Slottskogen the coming weekend, and I might also play in more MOS-tournaments should I feel like it, but there will likely be very few appearances in the future, if any.

HB: Did you decide this before or after the last round of Elitserien?

HO: Before. My initial decision about ending my minigolf career was taken already in 2008 when I set up a goal to play the 2009 World Cup as my last competition. Since I didn’t make the Swedish team in Odense, the last weekend of Elitserien came in handy as the end.

HB: How did it feel to end your Career in Kungälv and Elitserien by a shot that was so important. Was it a nervous moment?

HO: It was of course very nervous but also fun at the same time. It also felt good to kind of “close the circle” this way. Kungälv is my home club and we have had our fair share of fierce battles with Gullbergsbro over the years. The whole course were watching our game since the rest of the matches were relatively pointless. I was not very keen on playing this weekend for obvious reasons and even opted out from my normal position as closer during the first 6 games. But since my fellow Kungälv players all wanted to stay away from that position in the last game I took it (had to….).

HB: Did the rest of the Team know about this before or after Elitserien?

HO: They knew beforehand.

HB: You are not a very old man so I guess your decision hasn't got anything with age to do. What is the reason for this decision?

HO: I have played minigolf for 30 years and I am unfortunately really fed up with the sport. Kind of sad since I love the game of minigolf technically speaking. Trying out different shots, balls and ways to play a hole is even more exciting than ever. But I have lost my tournament edge, both in spirit and in execution, I make way too many mistakes that I cannot afford if I want to stay in contention with the best. I’d rather quit than stay around losing more and more games and skill.

Of course I could practice a lot and stay in contention, but with the overall downward sloping development in our beloved sport I don’t feel like It would be worth the effort.

HB: Will you continue to work with your Minigolf related Business like Swedish Putting?

HO: I will continue and probably further develop my different golf and minigolf related business projects. I believe in the game and its appeal to people and I will try to contribute to the joy and happiness of people playing minigolf over the world.

HB: I guess its early days to get perspective, but looking back what would you say was your careers finest moments?

HO: You are sure right about that, I guess time will give better perspective. I have had many great moments in minigolf, playing as well as traveling to interesting places. But it is hard to sort out any memory in particular right now. But the ending in Jönköping will stand out well for a while….

HB: And what was the worst moments?

HO: I try to forget them as soon as possible. But spending my last 18 months preparing for Odense and then not making the team was not something I appreciated to do.

HB: Will the Minigolfnews readers still be able to read a blog from you from time to time?

HO: I will add my last blog in a week or two. Still trying to figure out how big of a mark I want that blog to make, but it will probably just be short and make no sense…

The minigolf river will continue to run peacefully….

HB: Thanks for the interview and Good Luck in the future!

---

SHARE Share Tweet