No one brings the energy quite like Timo Petrasch. (Photo courtesy Timo Petrasch)
There are two ways to spell “energizing.” There’s the regular way, and there’s T-I-M-O. Going into his 5th season of the LDET, Timo Petrasch has cemented his standing as one of the tour’s most exciting players to watch. His athletic performance is one thing, but it’s his energizing charisma that’s made him a fan-favorite.
Asked about his mentality in the tee box, “The German Bomber” says he’s full of adrenaline. “I need to hit the ball so hard, and I when I hit a good shot I have to show the crowd my emotions,” he says. “And when the crowd pushes me I can hit the ball [farther]!”
The 29-year-old from Munich began swinging the clubs at age 11 and after 13 years joined the ranks of the professional circuits. His years of experience have shaped his mentality on and off the course with morning cardio routines and afternoon long drive sessions. During the winter months, training sessions move indoors.
Aside from the LDET, Petrasch, the no. 5-ranked LDET player, also competes in the German Long Drive, UK American Golf and New Zealand tours, and the World Long Drive Championships.
“It’s amazing to hit with these other golf freaks from around the world,” Petrasch saysof playing in the LDET. But when it comes to his competition, he’s focused on himself rather than sizing up his counterparts, and pushing himself whether fellow countryman and tour player Vincent Palm.
Petrasch is bringing a strategic goal into to the 2018 season. “I want to hit 50% on the grid,” he says. “When I can do that I have a good chance to win some tournaments!” Other than that, of course, “My main goal is the World Championships!”
Petrasch’s 2018 run at the LDET title begins April 7th with the France Championship at the Hotel Golf Château de Chailly, and he’ll certainly be looking forward to a home crowd atmosphere at the Germany Championship at Müncherner Golf Club, Munich, July 28-29, which is sure to be one of the most exciting events of the year.
Needless to say, this LDET veteran isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and his fanbase is only going to keep growing. Few things in this game are more exciting than watching The German Bomber on the tee box.
No. 2 ranked LDET player Vincent Palm has his eyes set on the top spot in 2018. (Photo courtesy LDET)
Vincent Palm isn’t like your average 22 year-old. The Koblenz, Germany, native — one of the youngest on tour— has his eyes firmly set on the no.1 LDET spot after finishing second to Matt Nicolle in 2017. Impressive as his own 2017 performance was, 2018 will be Palm’s third season on the Long Drivers European Tour, and he has no plans of slowing down.
“My goal is to be the best hitter in Europe,” Palm says, “and to push my name in the network all over the globe.”
His confidence doesn’t come without backing. Palm started golfing in his preteens before honing his talent for long drive. He won Germany its first LDET title in history in Hungary last year — that winning ball set last year’s season record at 424-yards.
“I train very hard in the gym and on the range improving my swing. I use speed sticks and follow a special plan I made for myself,” the young bomber says. “I’m looking forward to playing more tournaments in LDET … and in the two events in Germany which are very professionally organized.” He’s also looking forward to competing in the American Golf Long Drive Championship in the U.K., as well as other events “all over the world.”
And while Palm has his focus set on world domination — he’s hoping to compete in the World Long Drive Championships in Thackerville, Oklahoma, this September as well — he’s having a great time all along the way.
“I love the LEDT … so many nice dudes, friends and players,” Palm says. “It’s so much fun out there with these guys, it’s truly a really awesome relationship between all the players, and we make every tournament a really cool atmosphere for the audience.”
Among those dudes is Matt Nicolle, LDET no.1 ranked player. “Nicolle is a very quality hitter, and a good friend of mine,” Palm says. “There are so many hitters who are great, but I think he’s the biggest competition.”
The vivacious young man’s aspirations stretch beyond the course, too, as he’s pursuing a career in dentistry. “Sometimes it’s not easy combining my passion for the LDET with my studies, but I love it and and feel very successful right now,” Palm says.
The 2018 LDET season tees off in France, April 7th-8th. (Photo: courtesy LDET)
We’re mere weeks away from witnessing the raw power of European bombers with the start of the 2018 Long Drivers European Tour. There’s no shortage of storylines to follow this season, including the tour’s debut in Russia, the first-ever Nations Cup competition, 8-of-9 new host venues, and, of course, a bully list of long ball hitters.
Defending champ Matt Nicolle, who won four events and four top-three finishes in the eight events he competed in last year, will have his hands full with the 2018 field. 2nd-ranked LDET player Vincent Palm of Germany stands ready to take the crown, as is his fellow countryman and fan favorite Timo Petrasch, currently ranked no.5 on the tour. And the two-time tour champion known for his Ric Flair “whoo!” and intoxicating energy, Maurice Allen from the US, will make his return to the tour as well.
The 2018 season tees off with the France Championship at the Hotel Golf Château de Chailly, April 7th – 8th. Three weeks later the players head to Steenhoven Golf Club in Belgium for the Belgium Championship April 20th-21st. And Swedish bomber Sebastian Forslöf will have the home course advantage at the Sweden Championship at Täby Golf Klub May 4th-5th.
PeterHof Golf Club near St. Petersberg, Russia, hosts the tour for the first time ever on June 2nd-3rd. PeterHof Golf Manager Inar Kuramshin and his team are looking forward to the event, which will include a pro am alongside “the most exciting show in golf.”
Here’s a preview of the venue:
Hungry will be the only familiar stop on the tour’s 2018 circuit, hosting its third long drive event July 13th-14th at Zala Springs Golf Resort. The July stretch ends with the Germany Championship at Müncherner Golf Club in Munich, hometown of “The German Bomber” Timo Petrasch.
“Having a LDET tournament in my city is great,” Petrasch says in a tour release. “I want to bring a lot of people and create an amazing atmosphere.”
The tour returns to Italy once again August 26th-27th at Terre Dei Consoli near Rome before the debut of one of this season’s marquee events — the Nations Cup. International teams will compete for glory at the Château de Taulane in La Martre, France, September 21st-22nd, in a first-of-its-kind event.
The season culminates with the Masters Cup in November, at a location yet to be determined as of this writing.
Stay tuned to CGB in the weeks leading up to the France Championship for exclusive player interviews, 2018 LDET power rankings, and more throughout the rest of the 2018 LDET season.
“We have players from around the world competing — from Europe and the US, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, and more,” LDET CEO Xavier Eusebio says. “This year the level will be higher and tougher for all the competitors, so winning won’t be easy for anyone!”
The tour returns to Italy once again August 26th-27th at