Mr. Röhrl, where and when were you infected with the golf-virus?

 

Walter Röhrl: it got me in 1984 in New Zeeland. We were on a rally thereand Hannu Mikkola (a rally-colleague, the Red) asked me if I could drivehim with a car around the course. I have never been on a golf coursebefore. We have marched around the golf course for four and a half hoursand I was fascinated. Normally, on the day of the rally I never thoughtabout anything else besides the rally. While I was there I did not do that. Ihave flown home after the rally and said to myself: I have to take a closerlook at that. Then I went to our golf club in Regensburg and becamea member right away. I started playing in July and in October I had ahandicap of 22. That was when I thought to myself: next year you will havea one-digit handicap. Whatever I do I do it intensely.

 

And what happened later?

 

Röhrl: I was in Kenia together with Mikkola in February 1985. We playedgolf there, of course. After that, my game was becoming continuallyworse. That was when I stopped playing golf. I started playing golf againlast year, with my wife. We play up to five times a year since then. When Iretire next year, I will take offensive once more.

 

You are still a professional at the age of 66?

 

Röhrl: Actually I wanted to withdraw from Porsche last year. I take part inthe development of the new 918 there. They simply did not want to letme go. I am therefore on the road for them for some 250 days in a year.This will perhaps decrease one day.

 

What does golf mean to you?

 

Röhrl: Relaxation, distraction, wonderful nature. Activity in naturegenerally. I don‘t do indoor sports. I have to go out. And that‘s what isgreat with golf. Every golf course has its own charisma.

 

Is there a goal that you, as a hobby-golfer, strive to achieve?

 

Röhrl: I do not think so. But reaching a handicap of 15 and staying atthat level would be my wish. More would be too presumptuous. 15 to18 would be completely ok, just so I don‘t have to be ashamed whensomeone is looking. I do not seem to be able to hit drives, maybe it isbecause of my height. Another problem: I always try to direct everythingfrom the head, everything must be perfect. It should actually goautomatically and not be directed from the head. This will perhaps changewith years and I will become more relaxed.

 

How high is your handicap?

 

Röhrl: it is around 21. But if I were to play at the moment it woulddefinitely be around 30.

 

 

(Link to the magazine)