“Bavarian Airhawks” on the podium at Bavarian premiere
Created: 08/17/2022, 09:50
By: Paul Hopp
The "Airhawks" players at the Bavarian championship: (from left) Stefan Kessler, Maximilian Lorenz, Nikolas Wittmaack, Philipp Rall and Alfred Buchner.
© private
For the first time a Bavarian championship in disc golf took place.
The "Bavarian Airhawks" were there.
And one of them was on the podium in the Open class.
Gößweinstein – Philipp Rall only had words of praise for his teammate.
It was "top" and "strong as an ox" that Maximilian Lorenz showed on the course in Gößweinstein.
And when it came to the medals in the final of the best four of the open class on six lanes, Lorenz once again showed an extra portion of nerves of steel.
This gave the member of the "Bavarian Airhawks" bronze at the first Bavarian championship ever.
It was strong "to stay so cool there," said Rall.
After all, the eyes of all spectators and the remaining players were directed at the four opponents.
Maximilian Lorenz keeps his nerve in the final
Rall himself was a long way from the top ranks, but still traveled home completely satisfied after only his second tournament appearance.
His goal for the Bavarian championship was clear: "Not to be last." The plan was successful: he came in 23rd among 30 starters in the open class.
The 31-year-old from Penzberger, who is a biology laboratory technician at "Roche", only really got into disc golf this year.
He came into contact with the sport through former Weilheimer Benedikt Heiss.
He is part of the national squad and will soon be representing Germany at the "World Team Discgolf Championship" in Croatia.
In his first tournament participation, Rall ended up in last place.
Of course, that wasn't what he had hoped for.
But it wasn't a tragedy either, because the man from Penzberg noticed that there was a special atmosphere in disc golf: "The community is totally relaxed." When throwing well, everyone applauds each other.
Those who are not doing so well are by no means left behind.
Rall, who used to play handball among other things, says: "I didn't know this kind of sportsmanship."
Philipp Rall: Not the last - and happy with it
In contrast to the Weilheim course, the course in Gößweinstein does not have the large number of long lanes where many meters have to be overcome to reach the basket.
That's why it's "not easy at all," says Rall.
Compared to the facility on the Gögerl, "you have to throw it differently".
In the first round over the 18 holes, he stayed seven throws over par. In the second round, the Penzberger had a result of six over par.
Rall described his result as "very good".
In Weilheim he has usually finished his rounds with ten over par.
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Anyone who wanted to make it into the final of the Bavarian championship in the open class had to stay well below the specified 59 throws in both rounds on the 18 lanes.
"Airhawks" player Lorenz made it into the top four with seven under par.
At half-time, Alfred Buchner was still in the running (two under par).
However, a weaker second round, which was played at temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius, prevented them from reaching the finals.
With 126 throws he finished 16th.
“Airhwaks” mix well in the open class
Nikolas Wittmaack (127) landed right behind.
Stefan Kessler played consistently at a high level: with a result of three over pairs (121 throws) he made it into the top ten in the open class in ninth place.
The final led again over six lanes, including by far the longest lane (215 meters/par four).
"Airhawks" player Lorenz secured his third place against Dominik Weindl (Munich) with a result of one under par.
A jump-off even had to decide in front: Stephan Stölzle (Wehringen) prevailed over Hamish Rankine (Nuremberg).
Philipp Rall was an additional motivation for participating in the Bavarian championship.
"I've already signed up" for the next tournament.