As Golf in the Olympics becomes a more regular occurrence, the growth of the game is bound to grow and expand from its traditional base of support to many other nations across the globe as their athletes vie for the much coveted Olympic medal.
In Today's episode, we focus on the Netherlands and the growth and development of the sport through the emergence of more modern coaching and training techniques and methods. We visit with Liesbeth Pauwels, an internationally recognized golf & fitness specialist who works with elite athletes in the Netherlands and elsewhere. We also have two of the Netherlands emerging talents -- Anne-Sterre den Dunnen and Noa van Beek as they share their experiences in the world of competitive junior and amateur golf.
If you have a child, grandchild or someone that you know from the golf course that might be interested in seeing how far that they can travel in Golf, then this is an episode that they simply need to listen to. Anne and Noa discuss how they came into competitive golf, their practice and training regime, and what to expect as an elite junior and amateur. They also discuss their long friendship together - both competitors and as young women forging paths in the world of Gold and Academics.
As Golf in the Olympics becomes a more regular occurrence, the growth of the game is bound to grow and expand from its traditional base of support to many other nations across the globe as their athletes vie for the much coveted Olympic medal.
In Today's episode, we focus on the Netherlands and the growth and development of the sport through the emergence of more modern coaching and training techniques and methods. We visit with Liesbeth Pauwels, an internationally recognized golf & fitness specialist who works with elite athletes in the Netherlands and elsewhere. We also have two of the Netherlands emerging talents -- Anne-Sterre den Dunnen and Noa van Beek as they share their experiences in the world of competitive junior and amateur golf.
If you have a child, grandchild or someone that you know from the golf course that might be interested in seeing how far that they can travel in Golf, then this is an episode that they simply need to listen to. Anne and Noa discuss how they came into competitive golf, their practice and training regime, and what to expect as an elite junior and amateur. They also discuss their long friendship together - both competitors and as young women forging paths in the world of Gold and Academics.
Hello, and good afternoon. Welcome to our show. We're talking golf. I'm Douglas Maida This past weekend, the Olympics wrapped up from Japan. And we had two weeks of fantastic golf both on the men's side and on the women's side. We had medalists on the men's side representing the United States, Slovakia and Taiwan. On the women's side, the medalists represented countries like the United States, the host country, Japan, and New Zealand. The Olympics itself is a noble idea or gesture based upon bringing the nations of the world together in a peaceful reunion for the purpose of advancing sport. Now in golf, one of the major thoughts behind the Olympics was that when it came back into the Olympics in 2016, for the real games, many believe that one of the benefits would be bringing the sport to other parts of the world, to places that rarely saw golf. Perhaps the best example of that this past weekend represented the play of India's Aditi Ashok, now a DT didn't metal, but she came close. And she put in a fantastic effort. She captured the attention of not only the golf world with a phenomenal putting in play, but she captured the interest of her country, a country that is not known for playing golf. So imagine a country like India, with a population of over 1 billion people, many of them watching one of their own competing for a medal at the Olympics in golf. This is the way that the sport grows. And it's taking place all over the world, whether it be in a place like India, or in places like Thailand, Malaysia, or in other countries around the world. Now today's show was going to be about a country that has had a golf Federation since 1914. It has had some players of note competing on golf's biggest stages on the European tour, and the LPGA. When we think about golf, the Netherlands isn't the first country that comes to mind very often. Usually, when we think of the Netherlands, we think of soccer or football. Depending where you live. We may think of field hockey or speed skating, but very rarely is golf the first sport that comes to mind when we think of the Netherlands. Now the Netherlands has produced some notable golfers such as ust loyalton, who's played on the European tour. Or if you follow women's golf Anne Van Dam, who plays on the LPGA more recently, and has even been featured in Golf sshowss and other media because of her graceful swing, and her ability to drive the golf ball 300 yards. Now our topic in today's show is golf in the Netherlands. And we will discuss the growth and development of the sport, the effect of improved coaching and training. And then we're going to talk with a pair of promising young women about their golf journey in the Netherlands. So here to discuss these topics with us will be Liesbeth Pauwels, Anne-Sterre den Dunnen, and Noa van Beek. Now before we get to them, we'll take a short break for a message from our producers
Commercial:Built on a sleek titanium frame, with a light yet strong carbon body and the precision weighting system. The new Tr 20 from Honda speed reframed Welcome to our show. We are proud to announce that we're talking golf has been recognized as one of the top 40 podcasts to follow in 2021 for PGA and LPGA golf coverage. Today's show is being recorded from our studio in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. We are produced by the world of golf and you can find us on the world wide web at www.worldofgolf.org or on our social media channels of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and now on LinkedIn. For those of you in Asia and elsewhere. You can also follow us on Weibo and WeChat. Now, back to our show. Here is your host Douglas maida.
Douglas Maida:Hi, we're back. Thank you for staying with us. Now without further delay, let's get straight to our guests. liesbeth pauwels is the owner of LP golf performance based in Amsterdam. She graduated from the University of British Columbia and Vancouver, Canada with a degree in kinesiology, the study of human body mechanics. She is a TPI, certified fitness and golf specialist. And she's previously worked as a national Trainer with the golf federation of the Netherlands. Anne-Sterre den Dunnen is a 17 year old member of the Dutch national golf team. She is a past winner of the Dutch national match play championship and winner of the junior tulip golf challenge. She holds a world amateur golf ranking best of 126 in the fall of 2022, Anna is committed to playing with Wake Forest in the NCAA Division One. Noah van Beek is 18 years old, having celebrated her birthday just a couple of days ago. She is a member of the under 18 Dutch golf team. She also holds a world amateur golf ranking. And she too is planning on attending university in the United States in 2022. More recently, she had the experience of playing an LED ladies European Tour event with Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark. Welcome to the show, everyone.
Anne-Sterre:Thank you.
Noa van Beek:Thank you for having us.
Liesbeth Pauwels:Excited to be here.
Douglas Maida:Our pleasure, her pleasure. So thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules and competitions and whatnot to be with us today. Let me start with you, Liesbeth. Do you have a couple of moments? I mean, you're known to our readers a fair bit and people on our podcast show who've listened to you before and heard your show. But do you have a maybe a quick 30 seconds that you'd like to share with people about your role and how active you've been in golf in the Netherlands? And and any of those particulars that I think our audience should know about?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Um, well, yeah, since 2010, I really help professional and top amateur golfers to be able to perform better and as a golf performance coach and mentor, you know, I helped them in through optimizing their body, mind and the game. And of course, I've been taking this from Canada, Vancouver, back to Holland. And I've been here in Holland, for think almost six, seven years. And I've seen a lot of progression happening, especially both on the elite level and on amateur recreative levels. There's definitely been a lot a lot that has changed. And yeah, it's really excited to be a part of that and have to see the growth happening.
Douglas Maida:Let's chat a little bit about the development of more elite players in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, it seems that growing and better coaching and training is a big factor in the development of these elite players. We've seen players like Joost Luiten playing on the European tour. And, and occasionally in the North American PGA Tour, we have Anne Van Dam, who's now playing on the LPGA Tour and whatnot. So there seems to be this growing movement of developing more and more players at an elite level out of the Netherlands -- Liesbeth, how much would you attribute that to the better coaching and training? And what does it mean for the elite athletes and for coaches like yourself?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Well, if we're talking about the physical performance coaching part of it, I mean, it has definitely been a big, big role globally, for players to be able to evolve because the game has evolved. I mean, it has become super powerful, players need to be able to hit it very far, they need to be explosive. But as well, tournament schedules are packed, the traveling has become way more intense, and maybe even taxing on both the body, the mind can be sometimes mentally challenging as well. And so it comes down to being really physically mentally prepared very well to be able to play and compete and perform and do very well at the highest levels. But it also comes down to kind of, you know, be able to down regulate recover after an event and how quickly a player can recover. So I think that's the important part of the coaching if we talking about the physical mental side of it is that it helps to players to prepare for all of these scenarios. And I think there's, you know, I've definitely, like I said, seen development happening in the Netherlands, but physical training and assessments, they have been part of the national program for a long time. I mean, I've coached there for a couple of years. But however, I do think that there's still a, I mean, from my perspective, there's still opportunity for growth needed and especially when we're, when I'm seeing from the communication part and from the integration part. That's where I see where we can still grow in the Netherlands. And that's what I'm You know, continuously looking at what's happening in the united states or countries or coaches that do really, really well at the highest levels from golf, but also outside of golf. And try to integrate that as well into the golf scene, because that's where I see there's an opportunity to, to take on, especially in this very small country, but as we just saw on I mean, just recently, with the Olympic Games, we've done really well got a lot of medals for this very small country. But yeah, I think, related to golf, physical coaching, and mental preparation still needs to be taken more seriously. That's what I'm sensing. And it's amazing to see players that do that and go after that. So.
Douglas Maida:So perhaps you can share a little bit with us in terms of what do you think that the biggest change has been? If you could, if you could name one thing? liesbeth? What do you think the biggest change has been in the evolution of coaching and training in the Netherlands?
Liesbeth Pauwels:It's been that the technical coaches have been, are more open to get getting their players really physically strong and creating that team around the player. Apart from just a technical standpoint, yeah.
Douglas Maida:What do you mean by team? I mean, I I'm pretty sure I know what you mean. But why don't you explain what you mean by the team for our listeners?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Yeah, so I mean, going on to the elite levels, a player needs to have a team of experts and coaches surrounded by them. And the change here in Holland, what I'm seeing is that the team used to be just a physio or, and like their, their, their Swing Coach, or maybe a putting coach. But now, the team also integrates like that physical coach or a mental coach, and all of the team members are way more effective with communication to each other, so that the players development is, you know, at the right is the priority, and therefore, the team members need to be communicating. And that's what I'm, what i what i see what has grown. Isn't that the swing coaches, technical coaches, except there being more, yeah, yeah, other other team members on the team for the player. If that makes sense,
Douglas Maida:Oh, completely, completely. But I, I appreciate that. Because, you know, I'm sure we're gonna have people in the audience listening, who are either Junior golfers wanting to pursue a career or an elite career in golf, whether it be just to attend university, or perhaps to take it to the next level, make the national team or perhaps have the opportunity to pursue a professional career. So I think it's important that they start to get some understanding and awareness as to what what takes what it takes to become an elite player and some of the things that go into it. Maybe I'll switch gears and ask the two ladies we have with us a little bit about sharing their experiences in terms of working with, say, the national program and coaching and the specializations. So why don't we start with yourself there? And would you like to share a little bit about how you found coaching and your experiences working with the elite coaches and the program and what it's meant for you.
Anne-Sterre:So I've worked with my Swing Coach for the past six years. And basically, like, a couple months after I started with him, I got, I also got a physical coach. And they are just really good friends. And they've known each other for a long time. So they constantly communicate, and that definitely helps. And but I also think that because we have a lot more data right now, and we just get so much more data, we can use that too. Yeah, yes. See faster and easier. Yeah, if something's wrong, or, you know, maybe we shouldn't go this direction or this doesn't look good. And I also think that just because we have trainers that I have a lot of experience like they've played on tour themselves or they they played on the lead levels, they can give us that edge. To be playing better to help us prevent making mistakes that maybe they've made, or they know other people that made those mistakes. And I think that's just the last couple years that you would improve.
Douglas Maida:Okay. How about yourself Noa? What has your experience been like in terms of working with some of these more specialized coaches? And, and obviously, for the audience, I don't know if I've mentioned it or not, but we know that you work with liesbeth a fair bit, and she's worked with you over the past few years.
Noa van Beek:Yeah. So I am working with Liesbeth from almost the beginning that I started. And I feel like it really helps me on different kinds of Reinhardt's for my golf game gave me a way to to shipyard my mental bars, and also my physical floors. So I feel like that's something that has improved over the years as well. So it has not only been the golf bar, but also all the sidebars, that helps you, eventually you will become a better player. So I'm really happy that I'm working with these players, because she gives me so much support from for all the different kinds of parts that are that are cited, which eventually help you my golf game. So I feel like that's a big, that's been a big change for this year.
Douglas Maida:Are you finding know that some of what you're working on because I know Liesbeth and I know the work that she's been doing, and a lot of it takes a much more holistic approach to, to not just the golf aspect, but in terms of helping the people that work with their become better individuals, whether it be spiritually. And I don't necessarily mean in a religious sense. I mean, spiritually in the sense of feeling whole, developing as an individual taking this broader approach to development and whatnot. Are you finding that to be a big part and helpful to you as well?
Noa van Beek:Yeah, I know, I can be at first and become really frustrated, when which doesn't go away what I was hoping for. So I talk about it, of course, as she gives me kind of advice that I can take with me on the shores. So I can again, I can keep like everything. Don't get too frustrated. And I feel like those things that are known are kind of technical goal, far better still, they are helping or hitting better shops. So yeah, she's also helping me on like, kind of way, way, way of thinking and visualization on the golf course and staying positive.
Douglas Maida:Liesbeth. You mentioned a little bit about the technical development and work that's been going on in coaching, and in particular, your observations about it in the Netherlands. Now, when I think technical and whatnot, I'm starting to think a lot about TPI based training and development. Is that an important element or is it more than just TPI?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Absolutely. It's more than just TPI. I mean, TPI is a method that us coaches can use and apply to. I mean, indeed, like Anna said, gather data. I mean, that's why we do the TPI screenings. And it's a structure and a language that we as coaches can refer to one another. It's it's very important, and it's just one of the methods at least that's how I'm from my experience that I use to I mean, talking about the the physical development is TPI, but it's a strength, skin strength and conditioning as well. It's it's yoga, it's pilatos, it's integrates, you know, endurance training, different sports skills, and to be able to transfer that to golf, in if we're talking from junior development point of view. So, I mean, yeah, for me, it's definitely just more than TPI, but it's nice because we as a team can all communicate in the same language and we understand and therefore can help the development of the player which is always a priority. Much better.
Douglas Maida:Let me ask this question of you Liesbeth and then I'll ask it to the two ladies. Do you think it's possible to develop an elite player these days without having that kind of access to quality coaching and support systems?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Well, that's not because I'm a coach and I coach young juniors, but I honestly don't think that you can, yeah, really hit those performances and and do really well, but also gain that fulfillment and be still growing as a golfer as an athlete and as a person without, you know, great coaches. And a team around you who's experts ly in different fields?
Douglas Maida:Yes, I would tend to agree. I mean, I think the days of a Bubba Watson who never took a golf lesson in his life are kind of numbered if they already aren't finished, just because of the way the game has gone with the explosion (speed and power). And then we have somebody on the PGA Tour like Bryson D Shambo who people seem to either love or hate. But he brings that, you know, almost too much of a scientific technical perspective to to the game and whatnot. But the game has definitely moving in that direction. And it seems like you really have to be on the ball these days, and even at a little bit of an earlier age than perhaps waiting until college like people used to do in the past.
Liesbeth Pauwels:Well, yeah, and it's not something, maybe it's a misunderstanding or myth that I want to, you know, take takeaway is that many young, I mean, many young juniors or even parents don't decide to create that team, very young and early on. Because they think 'Aw, it's not necessary yet, or my junior doesn't need to lift weights' or, you know, all that fitness, it doesn't need to be that specialized at all. And that's, yeah, it's a misunderstanding, because it's only going to help them into development physically, and mentally them as a player, but as also, as you know, a person, like I said. It's not something that you take on when you need it, you take a coach, when you don't need it. So you can really tackle those difficult, challenging moments, which are a part of, you know, growing into elite sports at any, any age or also any other sports, you know, they come and that's why you need to be prepared and have a team that's also there to support and be kind of an anchor, um, it's all of the things that happen. Yeah, but I'm, like, I'm, of course biased, but it's still true. I mean, I also have coaches. So yeah, it's hard. For me, it's a part of the game. But I'd love to hear the girl's opinion about that.
Douglas Maida:Yes. Well, I agree with you too, Liesbeth. It's a very important aspect and development. Let's switch yes, Noa, following up on that, do you want to share your thoughts about coaching and the importance of it? Or do you think? I mean, do you think you and this is the same question for you to Anne? Do you think that you could be where you are today in your careers in golf without that kind of coaching?
Noa van Beek:I'm in my opinion, and I think if you look at like, like the guys ranked players, you know, they all do these different kinds of aspects, I feel like you really need them to get nowadays on a kind of high level. And in my opinion, if I started working out when I was nine years old, so I feel alive over all these years, it has really helped me in my golf game, gaining skills and more speed, more distance. I feel like you really need all those different kinds of aspects like the magician's mark, or shuffling or anything on the corners, your mental marks, of course, helps you so I feel like you're like, again, get out of your game, if you're not doing all the different types.
Douglas Maida:How about yourself, Anne?
Anne-Sterre:Yes. So I know, for myself, my parents decided to form a team, like from the beginning when I started training. And so I'm very lucky to have my parents decided to do that. And, but I have definitely noticed a difference. Because a couple years ago, I started more heavily with, with training and with working with my coaches. And I definitely saw improvement in how I performed and it wasn't just a training, but it was also mentally, just being more prepared for being on the course and hitting a bad shot, but still being able to recover. And I also think that especially for the physical part, you need a coach that's going to really guide you through because I am actually still growing, which is very difficult because I couldn't really start weights early. Because then you're it's not good for your body. So my code, she made a whole plan on how we were going to handle it. So yeah, and if I had started to just use the ways from very early on, I definitely would have gotten a serious injury. So I think coaching is just one of the most important things you can have.
Douglas Maida:Lizbeth Let me ask you a question of you before we move on, there's now I know there's the topic of weight training and whatnot. When we're talking about golf, fitness and development, particularly at the younger ages, we're not necessarily talking about weight training, where you're lifting for bulking up your muscles and and bulking up the body and whatnot. Am I correct in thinking that what we're talking about is more about conditioning and strengthening your core muscles, your key muscle groups, things of that nature, so that you're, you're stronger overall, but without bulking up? Is that a fair assessment?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Yes, yes, it's a definitely a part of it. I mean, physical development, when you're at that Junior age, really depends not on your chronological age, but on the biological age. So indeed, referring back to Ana, when now she's still growing. I mean, there's there definitely has to be taking account of that. Even though Yeah, you know, we're not the growth and the rate of the junior growing needs to be taken into account. And it helps then to create a program that aligns with how fast they're growing, or if they stopped growing. And of course, it also is very different girls versus boys. It's a big, big, big difference. And in terms of actual training, that could be different, practicing different sports skills that easily transferred to golf, such as you know, hockey or throw throwing skills, kicking skills, those are super, super important. We're talking about bodyweight movements, push ups, press ups, Turkish get ups, but also conditioning with the speed rope, jump rope. Things like that, to also keep it light, fun. And yeah, that's some of my key elements in jr training is being aware of the state that they're in of their body in the growth, while also keeping them engaged, because they need to have fun with it. Because they need they want, you want them to be able to do this for the rest of their life. So and then from there, it's gradually adding more resistance and resistance doesn't always mean adding weights, it could be in different settings. So yeah.
Douglas Maida:Right. Well, thank you for that. We're gonna take a short commercial break. And when we return, we're going to spend some time now chatting with the players about their journeys in golf and how they came to be in competitive golf, and their future plans. And just go down that road because I think it's quite fascinating. Because I follow a lot of junior golf as well. And I've been watching all over and I'm noticing the your players in your program and the Netherlands is quietly going about in the background and is competing a fair bit and challenging a lot for your tournaments and whatnot at the at the amateur level that these two players are playing at. So I think that's fascinating. And that's what we'll discuss when we come back.
Commercial:Built on a sleek titanium frame, with a light yet strong carbon body and the precision weighting system. The new Tr 20 from honma speed reframed.
Douglas Maida:Alright, welcome back. And thank you for staying with us. We're going to move now into the second segment of our show. We're going to talk with the players a little bit about their experiences in golf, how they've came to playcompetitive golf, and what their experiences have been, like developing as players in the Netherlands and competing for the Netherlands on European stage. So the first question I'd like to ask the two of you is, how did you get into competitive golf? Anne did you want to start?
Anne-Sterre:Yes, so one of my earlier coaches, he was like, Yeah, why don't you just try go to a competition. And that was turned out to beat a national championship under 12. Which is also where I met Noa because we were in the same flight. And it was a lot of fun, and I really liked it. And then I just continued and a couple weeks later, I joined a federation, the national team and then it just started playing competitions and basically never stopped.
Douglas Maida:How old were you when you first started to play golf?
Anne-Sterre:I wasnine but I've only really been training for about six years. So since I was 11.
Douglas Maida:Who got you into the game who introduced you to golf?
Anne-Sterre:My dad, he was, he would just be trading and hitting shots from the bunker. And I would be sitting there with a little shovel and just going about my day. And, and then a coach from the local club. He was like, you know, there's a lesson that kids lives in, if you want, you can join. And I joined. And he was like, Well, you know, why don't you just come every week and a wind every week? and kept training?
Douglas Maida:And that's where you are today?
Anne-Sterre:Yes.
Douglas Maida:How about you Noa? how did you get into golf? Who? Who's the first person that put a golf club in your hands and got you playing this game? And? And how did you make the decision to come into competitive golf?
Noa van Beek:Um, yeah, so it all started with my parents and my dad is now, so obsessed with the game. He loves it more than anything. So he brought me and my sister to the golf course when he was playing with some friends or for Im style. And me and my sister and like the flop that was even longer than ourselves. So, but yeah, we have some shots. And it was just for fun, because at that time, I also did other sports, I played tennis, and I did gymnastics as well, well, so it was just a little extra stress. I started taking group lessons with golfers my age at the golf course nearby. And I actually really liked it. And I also went every week with the same group. So I made my friends over there, I really started to like the game because I saw the improvement. And I tried this out for small competitions on my home club club. And, yeah, when I first really started to play those events, and I saw you were able to win prizes and everything and see the improvements. And I really started to get motivated to practice more and get even better and and sign me up from your tournament. So that's kind of the route that I've been following. And and now I'm still doing it.
Douglas Maida:So it was a little bit of the promise of a reward that got you into it. And it's like, the carrot and the stick kind of thing. You had the carrot there. Well, that's it. I don't know if it's, yeah, it was nice. I saw they motivated me to get even better and better.
Noa van Beek:Yeah.
Douglas Maida:Let me ask you both something else right now, on the LPGA. There is a tremendous amount of collegial conduct, like a collegiality, like, the players seem to be very supportive of each other, they go out and compete hard. They tried to beat each other. But it never seemed to cross the line. And it becomes more of a, well, I give it my best I did the best I possibly can and the other person won, and congratulations type of thing. Do you find the two of you in particular having grown up a fair bit together? And like Anna said, playing in the same flight from the start and whatnot? Do you find that playing against each other and growing up together has been a good way of helping you practice and develop your games? And and how important would you say that kind of friendly rivalry, if you will, or friendly competition has been and I see friendly, because I know the two of you when you probably play individually, you want to win. And you want to have the best finish you can. But I've noticed that you play very well together as well on the team events when you're competing for the Netherlands against say Germany like you were last year or some of the other other events. Noa, did you want to start?
Noa van Beek:Yeah, so I think we really know each other for a really long time. And practice so many hours together, and we have seen each other men or women face. So it really helps us as well, because you get a better friendship, on and off the golf course you get to know each other better. And you can also help each other with goseck as someone who's better at the other part and someone who's better at some something else on that golf game. So I feel like you can also support each other on that. And when you play against each other one on one makes plays or in a stroke, or plays and you're forced to beat each other. That's just how competitions work. So and then I feel like when you're playing in a team, it's different because you have to work together and then after your fingers three championships. You're usually kind of find a different relationship than when you're playing in this video. So, yeah, we've experienced all kinds of things together.
Douglas Maida:And how about yourself, Anne?
Anne-Sterre:Yes, so I don't have any brothers or sisters. And so just going to the golf course every week and seeing everybody really helped me to to like push myself because I want it to be as good as them. And when I first joined, because I never really trained a lot. I was just going to the course of my dad, playing for fun, and then we'll see how it goes. And then I joined the Federation, it was like, okay, you know, we're gonna train we're gonna do this and this, and I was like, oh, wow, you know, this is how you're supposed to. And to just grow up with these girls. Yeah, really helped me to push myself and be like, you know, oh, I want to beat them next time or I want to be better at them than than a distant them. And so yeah, I think it's really important to somebody to Yeah, just, yeah, compare yourself with almost, but just really help you push yourself.
Douglas Maida:Liesbeth let me jump in and ask you a question. You've been working with the younger athletes for a while now. And obviously not Anne, but surely you must have a degree of satisfaction to see how the young players are coming along and, and the development of them and, and while you have that close connection working with Noa and her sister, it must be very satisfying, just to see the work that the young ladies are putting in and the way that the game is going and and the way they're developing his players?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Absolutely. I mean, for me as a as a coach, this is I mean, I get my, I feel fulfilled when I'm on the Corps, and I'm at a tournament, watching them play. And seeing everything integrate, I mean, not even being there to actually coach but just observing them and doing their own thing. Like, a couple of months ago, in June, when they had the opportunity, for example, to play at the players experience on the Le t here in the Netherlands, which also has been a huge development, by the way, talking about golf development here in Holland. But yeah, just to observe and see how they're doing and see how they, their game is their swing is but also their demeanor, their vibe, their energy on the course to me that that gives me all the fulfillment because I put my Yeah, not just my job is my passion. And my knowledge is, you know, I try to bring that forth in my coaching, but it's also kind of your it putting your heart and your soul into your coaching. And yeah, when you see they, they're having fun, and they're doing what you have, you know, kind of instilled in them. It's to me, it's absolutely, yeah, the most fulfilling thing as a coach, no matter what, you know, the scores are that. Yeah, to see them grow and develop. Yeah, very satisfying. And fill you with a little bit of pride. Yeah, yeah. But as well, I just know, they, I mean, I put in the I put in a lot of effort, but it's their work. They're putting in the the hours as well. They're putting in continuous effort, they asked me to questions, they stay open minded, they, you know, come back to me with more questions or when they're doubting, and that's the thing that makes them grow. And I'm just there to, to guide them to support them, mentor them, or advise whatever it's most needed at that time. So.
Douglas Maida:Right, Let's chat a little bit about and I'll ask you first, Anne. How would you describe your life and routine as a elite player? Specifically, like, how do you practice? Do you have a practice schedule? I mean, if let's say you have another girl that comes up to you on the golf course and says, What's it like to play on the national team? What's it like to play at the levels you're doing? I mean, what's life like for you? What would you tell them?
Anne-Sterre:Well, for me, besides golf, academics has always been important. So I spend a lot of time on that as well. But I'd say just the training is every weekend. And that's with the national team. And then through the week, I'm very lucky to have a golf course, walking distance. And so that's just you're out of school, you go to the golf course, then you come back home and you do your homework. And then you either contact your coaches, or maybe you do something for yourself, and then you get sleep, and it's just day to day life. And then if there's a tournament, you work towards that you adjust your schedule, from just doing technical training to also more like adding the competition part into it. And challenging yourself and getting yourself in the right mindset to be able to play in a tournament. And then after that, it's reflection and immediately just go on to the next tournament. And just, that's like day to day your, your daily business.
Douglas Maida:How about yourself Noa?, how would you describe your day? And what kind of advice would you give to some someone else that came up and asked you at the golf course?
Noa van Beek:Um, yeah, so I would say your schedule every week, It changes also, because of the tournament, you play. You have early mornings, and I was in a school that had golf practices in the morning. So first, I have to travel one and a half hour an hour towards my training, and then it starts at
8:30. And I practice all morning, I go to class, and I throw my back home. And then you do your homework. And sometimes you have also your strength and conditioning training after all. So you have really busy days, and you want to get your rest as well. So you go to bed early. And if you live in like, from Monday to Friday, you don't really have much time to socialize with your friends because of the traveling practice your schoolwork as well. Well. That's the kind of decisions you have to make at this high level with with performance and everything. And yeah, the guy Wait where I like, I feel like it's what everyone's different. I liked I like going more on the technical part in the winter season. So the offseason, and more on the skills and performance part are during the season. So it really depends. When and what kind of season you have with tournament, and to start off with our tournament, but I would say, Yeah, you're really busy schedule.
Douglas Maida:So Anne, you're planning to attend Wake Forest in September 2022. Correct?
Anne-Sterre:Yes.
Douglas Maida:What are your plans? In terms of golf and universities that your focus is going to be on education? Is it going to be on both golf and education and see what happens? And possibly a future career professionally? What are your plans and your goals at this stage?
Anne-Sterre:Well, my goal is definitely to plan the LPGA. That's just always been a dream of mine. And but yeah, from my family, it's just been education. I do want to get a degree. And because you know, the chances of making it to the PGA is so small. That you know, in a small van, it doesn't work. And so I have something to fall back on. So, for me, I'm definitely going to be focusing on both golf and education. Maybe a bit more on golf. But yeah, definitely both.
Douglas Maida:Do you have a career path in mind for a university? Like what you'd like to study?
Anne-Sterre:I yes. So it's probably going to be either biology or biochemistry. And which I is, of course, very hard. But I just don't get any sort of satisfaction from the economics part. So that's definitely a no.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, I was gonna say, Well, you could be another wonderful candidate for STEM, women in STEM. There are there are a few players out there. You know, somebody I know Brittany Marchand. She was a chemical engineer or is a chemical engineer. She graduated from NC State. So she had that very difficult academic career path as well as playing golf and, and she's playing on the symmetric tour. And she played a year on the LPGA as well. So yeah, interesting. How about yourself, Noa? Are you still planning to attend NCAA Division One, and I see that you're affiliated with peak USA. Did you maybe want to share a little bit about what that's all about?
Noa van Beek:Yeah. Well, I'm planning to also go to college and finance division one for class two, and I'm working with Jenna for over two years now, and she's really helping me find the right fix. She works with many different players in Europe, boys and girls. And she just gets in touch with coaches, informing them about players that she is working with that are looking for. And eventually to find the right fit for everyone. So I really like the support that she gives me. And I'm really happy that she helped me through this whole journey. And many people also know that I was probably committed to a university this year in Texas A& M University, and I have made my commitment with a lot of things changing. So I got my coaches at my school, and unfortunately, it didn't work out I was hoping for. So I essentially made my decision to not go and go more and more open up my recruitment process again. And now looking for another school. That is the right fit for me. So I feel like everything happens for a reason. So we probably have to be like this. And then I will see where I yeah, what my school will be. Yeah, I'm now speaking with teams again. Yeah, I'm excited.
Douglas Maida:Let me ask a quick question of both you and Anne, one of the big Junior events, that seems to attract a lot of attention for recruiting is the IMG event in San Diego every year. I think they call it the Callaway event. Have either of you ever looked at playing that? Or have you played it? Or is it in your plans at all?
Anne-Sterre:No, , not for me. No,
Noa van Beek:No, I haven't heard for me. Also. I I do hear about other events in the USA like Jr or the amateur. but, I haven't heard of this one.
Douglas Maida:it. No? Neither have you, Anne?
Unknown:Know, No,
Anne-Sterre:I haven't heard of it. I I did get the chance to play in the junior Orange Bowl. But that was two years ago. So I haven't played in America since due to COVID. But uh,
Douglas Maida:Yeah, the COVID sure taken a
Anne-Sterre:It's been tough
Douglas Maida:COVID shirt taking a bite out of all the international competitions that players like yourselves could, could participate in. Let me ask you this. If you could in say a short sentence, what advice would you give to others about choosing to play competitive golf, Anne?
Anne-Sterre:Go for it fully. And you learn a lot and you get a lot of experience you wouldn't get otherwise. You travel, And just give it your all?
Douglas Maida:Alright, How about yourself, Noa?
Noa van Beek:Yeah. I agree with Anne-Sterre, I feel like it's really for them that they have to know it's not easy. And it doesn't come from granted. So you really have to put in all the work. But essentially, keep having fun. I know it can be really hard when you have to perform and then it's not always going the way you want. But you have to. Yeah, having a fun in the game, because you really needed to perform at the highest level. And after all, you started the game because you liked it. And I feel like you've always need to keep the fun in the game.
Douglas Maida:Right. So no regrets for the path you've chosen so far.
Noa van Beek:No, definitely not.
Douglas Maida:And how about you Anne? No regrets?
Anne-Sterre:No, no, no, you miss a lot of things that so many other things make up for it?
Douglas Maida:Yeah, yeah. Oh, it's wonderful. I'm going to ask Liesbeth one more question here before we move on. Liesbeth, you've been in the program a little bit now. Is there anything that you know, looking back so far? Is there another focus or anything that you wish that you could see developing in the Netherlands with its golf program or, or things of that nature to to help these athletes get to the next level or or to continue to improve on?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Yes, absolutely. I mean, there's always room for improvement. And I think, like I shared a little bit before, I think to embrace the physical mental development fully and integrated into not just the programs but also the budgeting is going to help grow the game even further. Especially development of young players here in Holland.
Douglas Maida:Okay. Yeah, very important. Thanks. How about you ladies? Is there anything you would like to suggest that could be improved or done a little bit better now that you're at a stage, you can look back a little bit. Who wants to go first?
Anne-Sterre:Oh, no. I'm looking back. Yeah. I don't really know of anything, at least that comes to mind right now. But I could have been changed. Maybe just from the early stages on, I think women's golf is incredibly important. And I think, because when we were younger, there wasn't a lot of attention to us. It's getting better. But I think that's definitely at least one of the regrets I have that just, there hasn't been that much attention to women's golf. I think that could be changed.
Douglas Maida:Okay, that's a very good point. Hopefully, programs like this will help to continue to put the focus on women's golf and, and in particular, this episode in the Netherlands and women's golf in the Netherlands.
Anne-Sterre:Yeah, yeah, definitely.
Douglas Maida:How about yourself Noa?
Noa van Beek:Yeah, I agree with Anne-Sterre, I don't really know what I could have changed in the past. Maybe Maybe I've always been really competitive. So maybe at a really young age, not focusing too much on the scores when I was like, like, 1011 years old. Sometimes I see like, the young girls might not know, right? And if you're okay, you're still so young. So maybe, yeah, I don't know anything else that I would have changed. Unfortunately, golfing had a big impact on our careers, the last few years. So, yeah, that said, everyone's experiencing the same. So it's not really something I think, was in our own hands.
Douglas Maida:Right, right. So another Carpe Diem, seize the day and enjoy you the opportunity while you got it, because you can't take it for granted.
Noa van Beek:Definitely.
Douglas Maida:One more quick question, though, you're talking about how competitive you are, when you're younger, how much of that was driven by the sibling rivalry in having your sister play you? and you know, the two sisters going out of the house had died. If you're like my two sisters, they're always competing with each other.
Noa van Beek:It's definitely really competitive. between us and also off the golf course, on some different kinds of aspects. We really wants to beat each other. And I feel like the pressures were on me because I'm the oldest one, so I can really lose is that's what I get to hear from everyone. But it's really competitive. But because we are doing so much together, we also have a really close relationship together. And we do our best, and we hope we both reach out. Also, we do also support each other. But when we have patients, we really want to beat each other as well.
Douglas Maida:What's next for you? What's coming up? Are you any competitions? Anything like thatNoa?
Noa van Beek:Um, yeah, so I do have a few tournaments left this year, at the end of the month, I'm also going to get away together with Anne-Sterre to the Italian girls (event). So that's what I'm looking forward to, because it's a big tournament where we go regarded with good players. AndI still have a few national championships, where I am going to play. And in the meantime, also focusing on a regular process to find the right coach, for me so. So those are the things that are most important to me right now.
Douglas Maida:Great, great. And how about you, Anne?
Anne-Sterre:Yes, so I have a tournament in the coming days. So that's the Dutch Amateur Championship. And so that's an international tournament tournament here in the Netherlands. And they Yeah, the Italian girls under 18. And then there's also a national open. So that's actually competition with both amateurs and professionals. So that's always really fun to play. And, and then I'm probably going to play a LET Access competition or two, because it's just basically the only thing that's left this time of year.
Douglas Maida:Right, right. And how about yourself Liesbeth I know you're always busy and on the go and whatnot. So what's happening for you in the next while?
Liesbeth Pauwels:Well, I'm always looking to onboard new driven motivated juniors from the Netherlands but also globally. And there's ... I've got a research paper that's coming out pretty soon which I helped develop and which is going to be huge push forward for golf, fitness and the Netherlands hopefully, but especially to help reduce, reduce overuse injuries and golfers. And I'm currently working on hopefully launching a big international project as well. Also, it's also going to be a huge push forward for the Golf, kind of golf community globally. And yeah, overall, I can't wait to see the next couple of progress development that my clients will make in the what's left of this year. And to dive deep into the training this offseason. That's what I'm really excited for as well.
Douglas Maida:Yes, well, in getting to know you over the last year, you're definitely somebody who's always going to be on the move and looking to improve things. So that's fantastic. Liesbeth, keep up that fantastic work.
Liesbeth Pauwels:Thank you.
Douglas Maida:We're kind of at the end of our show. Now, while we're not kind of we are at the end of our allotted time. So I'd like to thank all of you for taking the time to join us. It's been a wonderful opportunity. And I know we're just scratching the surface. But I found it incredibly fascinating, and particularly to hear the examples of what's going on and and in your lives to ladies, I mean, as the players just to see the enthusiasm and the hard work and the dedication going into it. I think it's I think you're making Dutch golf going to be a much bigger force in the future. So keep up that fantastic work and, and you to Liesbeth and thank you all so much.
Anne-Sterre:Yeah, thank you.
Liesbeth Pauwels:Thank you so much for having us and having this discussion about golf in the Netherlands and the development.
Douglas Maida:Yeah, it's been fantastic. And hopefully, maybe we can do another episode like this in the future and just kind of do a touch back and see where everybody is and how things have improved.
Anne-Sterre:Yeah, that would be fun. Yeah.
Liesbeth Pauwels:Okay, love to
Douglas Maida:Wonderful. Well, thank you very much books. And that's our show for today. I am going to thank all of our listeners for having to for tuning in and downloading and listening to our podcast show. Because without you, we couldn't make this happen. So thank you so much for listening.
Amy (Studio):You are listening to we're talking golf produced by the world of golf. The views expressed by our guests are the sole views of the guest and not of the podcast show. We're talking golf, nor of the producer, the world of golf nor any of its personnel, including the host Douglas Mater. This episode was recorded on Tuesday, August 10 2021. If you have an idea for a future show, send us an email please include "Podcast Show" in the subject line.