Rolf Kwant - Dominant at Orvelte
Rolf Kwant, Netherlands
Welcome to a detailed Question and Answer session with the 2014 Dutch Open champion.
Q. What were the prinicipal contributing factors in your success?
A. Every now and then I notice that my swing technically needs to be tightened. There is in this respect someone, Meinard Lutterop, who knows my swing in detail. Any time my swing needs tweaking, he can again put me in the right positions so that the good feeling is back. Usually, fifteen minutes is sufficient. Three weeks before the Dutch Open, I had such a session on my home track Koekange and ultimately reaped the benefts at the Dutch Open. I also play regularly with my training buddy, Rinus Huberts, who always keeps me sharp by his own fine play. I was confident that I would achieve a good result in the Dutch Open, but I didn't really expect to win given the huge level of competition there. Orvelte is known for having slightly harder greens than other courses. An enormous amount of rain fell in the area in the weeks before the Dutch Open, so the Orvelte greens were softer than normal. That also worked to my advantage.
Q. Are you very familiar with the Orvelte course?
A. In the run up to the Andorra European Championships, Orvelte course has been the permanent training location for the Dutch team. This means that I've played there regularly in recent months.
Q. Did you practise there a lot before the event?
A. Outside the training of Dutch team, I have not really trained there despite being only half an hour drive from my house.
Q. How well did you sleep on Saturday night?
A. Pretty good. I was awake quite early and then went through all the possible scenarios, which of course does not really help to get to sleep again. I was aware that, even though I was going into the final round five strokes ahead, I had been in the lead from the start. It was absolutely not assured that I would win the tournament. Five Irish top players who are going to hunt you down! Because I started with birdies on both hole 1 and 2 I gave a signal that I was not going to give the lead away easily.
Q. How do you rate Ray Murphy, Damien Fleming, Marcel Ahuis, Trevor Ahern?
A. Fantastic players. Ray is a player that we in the Netherlands have a lot of respect for. Not only for his great game but also because he's a gentlemen and an example for the sport. Damien, I have also seen play some amazing stuff at times - a pleasure to watch. Unfortunately for him, his putting was litltle off. Unfortunately I have not seen much of Trevor but with 50, 48 and 50 in a strange course you have something in your armoury. Marcel was my tip for the Open beforehand. Not only because of the fact that he was second last year and his home course was the tournament venue, but also because he was playing great during Dutch team training. The greens were a lot softer than normal which was certainly not in his favour. Herma Kleinlugtenbeld and Esther de Schiffart put in a fantastic performance. 13th and 14th overall is superb.
Q. You have been an integral part of Dutch Pitch and Putt for 15 years and international Pitch and Putt for 15 years. How do you retain your enthusiasm?
A. Because in the last two years a number of players have broken through, the enthusiasm came back. I found the years before a little difficult because there was simply too little competition. Now, multiple players can win a tournament at the national level, which is only good for the development of the sport.
Q. What is your practice regime? Or do you just play in tournaments?
A. I play about three times a week for an hour. In the winter months I occasionally go to the driving range. Competing in national tournaments I still find difficult, simply because the tournaments often take too long. I always watch out for the NK matchplay and NK strokeplay (Dutch national championships). A different format is being considered but this is still not off the ground.
Q. What are the prospects for the Netherlands in ETC 14 in Andorra?
A. It appears that Ireland will not be present in Andorra. Of course I do not know all the ins and outs, but I think it's a huge disappointment! Initially, of course it's a disappointment for the Irish players themselves but also for the participants in Andorra. You want to play against the best and the Irish players are still the best. I hope the the Irish players won't throw in the towel despite these huge disappointments. I also take this opportunity to request the Irish federation to once again reconsider. We will start with an excellent Dutch team, as good as any we have previously fielded. Provided we play to our normal level, we should be able to reach the final. despite a number of players inexperienced at European championship level.
Q. Does international Pitch and Putt have a future?
A.I think the sport certainly has a future, but it stands or falls with the management of the sport. We must put aside selfish interests and show a high degree of tolerance. If we are able to get FIPPA and the IPPA working together, development should proceed at a brisk pace.
Q. Will you play in the European strokeplay and world strokeplay championships?
A. In particular, the international tournaments are really fun to play. Although I am still in the midst of an education, I will make every effort to play.
Q. What are the next ambitions for Rolf Kwant?
A. Although I am very happy with my victory at the Dutch Open I would exchange it to see the Dutch team to win a tournament.
Q. Do you have a favourite course in the Netherlands? Worldwide?
A. Favourite course in Netherlands: Molenhoek. Favourite course abroad: Papalus in Lloret de Mar. Not only because it is a fantastic course to play but also because it's a piece of history. I got to know many people there and experienced fantastic moments (highs and lows) in the sport.
Q. Which make of pitching club, putter and ball do you use?
A. Pitching club: Mizuno MP-R series 52 grade
Putter: Yess (callie)
Ball: Titleist pro V1
