FIRST TEAM
12/05/2011

Player Duel: Sebastian Rudy vs. Sven Schipplock

The game ‘football-golf' originated in Sweden, although its first usage as a popular pastime is recognised to have been recorded in Scotland over a century ago. It is played with a football, but the rest of the game is based on golf. The first football-golf facility was erected in Scandinavia in the mid-1980s. Since then, the game has grown in popularity and become a favoured training activity for professional teams. Hoffenheim manager Holger Stanislawski recently held a competition with the first-team squad, which was won by goalkeeper Tom Starke of all people. Sebastian Rudy was unable to take part. Sven Schipplock, however, did partake in the competition, and ended up in last place. “I only had one bad hole. I just couldn't get it right and needed a lot of shots!” complains the striker amidst the laughter of his teammates. This time around, the two go head-to-head.

The Contestants

Sven Schipplock: The forward joined 1899 Hoffenheim in the summer. “I want to win the thing; I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I lost to Rudy!”

Sebastian Rudy: Since arriving at the club in the summer of 2010, Rudy has established himself as a key member of the Hoffenheim midfield at just 21 years of age. “If Schippo wins, I know he's not likely to let me forget it in a hurry. So I have to win!”

The Competition

There are three holes to be played and the number of shots needed by each player to find the hole is to be counted. At the end, the total shot count for all three holes will be added up, and the player with the fewest wins.

Hole 1: The “Minefield”

A brief game of 'rock, paper, scissors' determines who is to go first. Sven wins, but lets his opponent Sebastian start the game off. The first hole, ‘the minefield', is a zigzag track of flat ground leading to the hole. There are also small huts placed at various intervals to provide further obstacles. At the end there is a ring, in which the ball must finish. Rudy starts off well, but his putting lets him down, and after the first hole, Schippo has a two-shot lead on him.

Hole 2: The “Wilderness”

As he won the last hole, Sven ‘tees' off at the second. This time, the players start on a hill, from where they have to play the ball over a drained pond. Sven tries to go around the pond, but slices his effort and lands in the ‘rough.' Sebastian tries a different method, and ends up in almost exactly the same position. But while Schippo rescues himself with one shot, Rudy gets himself into trouble again in a steep slope, and needs another two shots to finish.

Hole 3: The “Par Five”

For the final hole, the players had to find the net of one of the miniature training ground goals. But between the goal and the tee was 200m of ground, dotted with all manner of traps. Two shots are usually needed to reach the target for this hole. Being four shots down, however, Rudy must take a risk and attempt it in one. Schippo, on the other hand, has the luxury of a handsome lead, and can take his time. Rudy goes all out, but again misfires, and needs five shots to get to the hole. Schipplock has the cheek to convert his final shot with his head, and really embarrass his opponent. Rudy takes defeat gracefully and congratulates his opponent n his first achtzehn99.de Golf-Tour win!

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