A good walk spoiled

Competition in the DNA

Only recently, the 9th edition of the Engineering Newcomer Challenge has started, a design competition that we are supporting, including free student licenses for our software. At Zuken, however, we not only support young engineering talent but are also involved in the local golf club for youth and men’s teams.

Even Winston Churchill knew: “Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose.” Mark Twain goes so far as to say that golf is “a good walk spoiled.”

A few days ago, I met Julian Wuttke, the team manager of the 1st men’s team of the Golf Club Herzogenaurach, for an interview to find out why this sport is nevertheless so popular, even in spite of its “ill-designed weapons”. We talked about youth development at the club, his passion for golf, and his goals in the second national league.

Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose.

Winston Churchill

Lilli: Hi Julian, thank you so much for taking the time today. Tell me, how did you get into golf?

Julian: I was really impressed by Tiger Woods when I was a teenager and started playing golf when I was 17, so I was rather late to the game. Up to now, the greatest highlight in golf for me has been the nomination for the Rhineland-Palatinate state cup team at the German state championship and the chance to play in the first national league. The pressure of standing on the 1st tee in front of a crowd and being expected to deliver has become normal for me since then and I can concentrate much better on the game now.

A talent factory of its own

Lilli: What goals have you set for the upcoming 2022 season and what are you particularly looking forward to?

Julian: We aim to build a strong team with players from our own youth program and from the region, and with this kind of team spirit, we hope to keep the team in the top division of the second national league. Thanks to Zuken’s sponsorship, we have been able to professionalize our youth program over the past few years and have built up a youth department that has already produced a number of exceptional talents. Your support for the 1st men’s team has made it possible for us to be prepared in the best possible way to play in the first national league. The home match day is always the most exciting game of the season for us because we have a crowd that watches the rounds and is cheering for us and we hope to make the most of our home advantage. That’s why I’m particularly looking forward to May 15 at GC Herzogenaurach!

Lilli: Finish the sentence: “Golf is the best sport because…”?

Julian: Golf is the best sport because you have to be so focused that you can completely escape from everyday life and find a great way to balance your time. When things are going badly, you hole a 10-meter putt and feel motivated again. But it’s just as easy to miss a 50cm putt and feel grounded again. Many lessons from the world of golf can also be applied to the business world and have already helped me to grow and succeed there. With patience, hard work, and determination, you can go a long way in both worlds. Professionalism and an undivided focus help me achieve my goals, both on and off the golf course.

Lilli: Have you ever hit anything with your golf ball? Any funny story to tell there?

Julian: Last year I hit the ball so high that it got stuck in the branches of a tree. Luckily, I was able to get it out of there hitting it like I was playing baseball.

Lilli: The Herzogenaurach Golf Club is a  club with a course for a wide range of sporting ambitions. What do you particularly like about the club?

Julian: I really enjoy the combination of social evenings in the restaurant/indoor venue and the fact that it is one of the most dynamic golf clubs in Bavaria. In addition, we have been granted the “Golf&Nature” certificate for the 4th time in a row. We regularly plant trees and build insect hotels as part of our efforts for the environmental certificate. We are proud to finance a part of these projects directly from our team funds.

Lilli: Johnny Miller once said, “Hit the ball so you don’t have to search for it – that’s the best advice for any player.” What advice can you give to a beginner in your sport?

Julian: I would say best to go out on the driving range, practice green, or preferably on the course with some experienced golfers and then observe and ask a lot of questions. With the Craig Miller Golf School, there are 3 true experts with whom beginners are in good hands.
To improve the handicap gradually, my tip is to approach it with little pressure and a lot of fun, set up game-like situations on the driving range and the practice green, and then do it on your own time.

Lilli: Thanks so much for the tips. One last question: How can we keep up with your Team in the upcoming season?

Julian: Thank you for having me! On our social media channels we show how we practice and you can also find links to the live scoring reports of our match days:

You can also follow our top player at the moment, Matti Schmid, who we can still consider as one of us, even though he is now playing on the European Tour, here: https://www.europeantour.com/players/matti-schmid-43516/?tour=dpworld-tour