First Swings
I took my first "swings" on the camping grounds in Italy when I was just a toddler. To be fair, I don't really remember much of it, other than trying to hit a tiny ball into a chair. At that time, and over the following years my focus was constantly on sports other than golf. When I was three years old I was already in love with football ("soccer") and I was part of our regional club in Kriens. Tennis and skiing were a big part of my life and still remain some of my favorite hobbies. My dad took me on the golf course, during our summer holiday, when I was eleven. This sport fascinated me right away and I begged my parents to let me join the junior training at a local course. My wish was granted and I was allowed to start the training on a provisional basis. I made quick progress and played my first 12 and under event that fall (not very successful to be honest). This was the very beginning of my golf career.
High School
In 2006 I started high school at the Kantonsschule Luzern to get my Matura (diploma). In my first two years, I learned that it would be difficult to bring school and golf under one hat. Classes would often go until five o’clock at night and by the time I would get to the course it would be too dark to practice. In grade 8 I heard about a sports class where 24, all athlete, students would get time off to practice. This program meant that high school would take a year longer than usual to finish. I was excited! After I turned in my application however, I heard that I didn’t make the cut. Apparently, golf wasn’t popular enough yet and most athletes were football (“soccer”) players. I was devastated, however, I used this as additional motivation to work even harder at my goal of playing college golf in the United States. When I was 16, I became a member of the regional squad in my area and was improving quickly as I spent every free minute of my time on the golf course.
Finally, in 2012 I finished high school and got my Matura! My parents allowed me to take a year off, as long as I would spend the time to find a good college and get ready for it. I spent one month of my gap year in England where I worked and practiced at Bowood Country Club near Bath. This really helped me sharpen my English and allowed me to practice for free, as I was helping out the golf course wherever they needed me. When I got to Spain in February 2013, I had several offers from colleges around the U.S. At the end of my time in Alicante, where I worked with European Tour Coach Jon Wallett, and was able to mature as a player, I decided to join the team at Owens Community College. Coach Williams convinced me that this would be a great way of entering the college life. I was looking forward to the new experience and challenge ahead.
Finally, in 2012 I finished high school and got my Matura! My parents allowed me to take a year off, as long as I would spend the time to find a good college and get ready for it. I spent one month of my gap year in England where I worked and practiced at Bowood Country Club near Bath. This really helped me sharpen my English and allowed me to practice for free, as I was helping out the golf course wherever they needed me. When I got to Spain in February 2013, I had several offers from colleges around the U.S. At the end of my time in Alicante, where I worked with European Tour Coach Jon Wallett, and was able to mature as a player, I decided to join the team at Owens Community College. Coach Williams convinced me that this would be a great way of entering the college life. I was looking forward to the new experience and challenge ahead.
Elite Teams
I was a member of the Swiss National Team and practicing on Golf Sempacherseee. I switched my home club to the beatiful Challenge Tour course around the same time and joined the newly found Elite Team at Sempach. To this day I am still a member of the team which is supported by the Golf Club as well as a Supporters Club. Having all practices at the same place was a real help. Also, with our club team we have been able to achieve many accomplishments, such as a Win in the Interclub A3, as well as a club best fourth place finish in the highest division A1 in 2018. This wouldn't have been possible without the support of the club and instructors. Practicing in a group of highlz motivated young talents certainly helped me practice harder and compete under pressure in every session.
College in the U.S.
I was 18 years old when I traveled to the U.S. for the first time. After two stops, in London and Chicago, I finally arrived at the airport in Toledo, OH. Coach Williams and one of the players were there to pick me up when I arrived. It was a great feeling to be part of a team, especially being on the other side of the world all of a sudden. Harrison Long, one of my teammates who is now a professional golfer as well, was my roommate. My whole team, as well as every other athlete, lived in the same apartment complex. My studies and golf experience at Owens could officially begin! Our team was one of the best Junior Colleges (2-year schools) in the U.S. I clearly remember my first qualifying for the team, where I shot a round of 70. This was a great result, as we played on a very old and difficult course called Belmont Country Club.
With Owens I was able to achieve some incredible things, as we were able to go to two National Championships, where we finished in the Top 10 both times. Additionally, I was named All-American my freshman year and I still have a plaque with my name and picture up at the gym at Owens. On top of my athletic success, I also received my Associate's degree in Business Administration. After two years at Owens, I was looking for a new challenge in the highest division, the NCAA Division 1. I signed for Eastern Michigan University near Detroit. After two more years of school I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. During my time at EMU, I was able to play some great tournaments and gain a lot of experience, as well as build some life long friendships. I’m very proud to have qualified for most of the tournaments while at Eastern and got to travel all around the U.S. to represent this program. While in the U.S., I also met my now wife, Tiffany, and I'm looking forward to taking on these new challenges and opportunities with her by my side.
While at college I was always able to come home to Switzerland every summer. While being back home I competed in many national and international events. I’m also a part of the Swiss National team, which allowed me to practice with the regional team during my time at home. Thanks to a few good results in the spring and summer of 2016 (including a win at the Championnat du Leman), I was able to qualify for the team that represented Switzerland at the 2016 European Amateur Team Championships in Paris. I was also picked to play in other tournaments representing my country at the Austrian International Amateur Championship as well as the German International Amateur Championship. It’s always an incredible honor to play for Switzerland!
After graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor in Finance, I decided to pursue my academic career at the University of Findlay. From 2017 until 2018 I spent my time working as a GA for the golf team at UF, practicing my golf game and pursuing my Master of Business Administration. After graduating in the spring of '18 and representing Switzerland in the Universiade on the Philippines, I returned home and focused on national and international amateur tournaments. After some good results I decided to turn Professional and started off with a second place at the Championnat de Suisse Central with a result of six under par for three rounds. At the qualifying school for the European Tour in late September I wasn't able to qualify for the second stage. However, after getting married to my wonderful wife Tiffany in October, I was able to play well enough at the Q-School for the Alps Tour to get a full Tour Card for 2019!
With Owens I was able to achieve some incredible things, as we were able to go to two National Championships, where we finished in the Top 10 both times. Additionally, I was named All-American my freshman year and I still have a plaque with my name and picture up at the gym at Owens. On top of my athletic success, I also received my Associate's degree in Business Administration. After two years at Owens, I was looking for a new challenge in the highest division, the NCAA Division 1. I signed for Eastern Michigan University near Detroit. After two more years of school I graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. During my time at EMU, I was able to play some great tournaments and gain a lot of experience, as well as build some life long friendships. I’m very proud to have qualified for most of the tournaments while at Eastern and got to travel all around the U.S. to represent this program. While in the U.S., I also met my now wife, Tiffany, and I'm looking forward to taking on these new challenges and opportunities with her by my side.
While at college I was always able to come home to Switzerland every summer. While being back home I competed in many national and international events. I’m also a part of the Swiss National team, which allowed me to practice with the regional team during my time at home. Thanks to a few good results in the spring and summer of 2016 (including a win at the Championnat du Leman), I was able to qualify for the team that represented Switzerland at the 2016 European Amateur Team Championships in Paris. I was also picked to play in other tournaments representing my country at the Austrian International Amateur Championship as well as the German International Amateur Championship. It’s always an incredible honor to play for Switzerland!
After graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor in Finance, I decided to pursue my academic career at the University of Findlay. From 2017 until 2018 I spent my time working as a GA for the golf team at UF, practicing my golf game and pursuing my Master of Business Administration. After graduating in the spring of '18 and representing Switzerland in the Universiade on the Philippines, I returned home and focused on national and international amateur tournaments. After some good results I decided to turn Professional and started off with a second place at the Championnat de Suisse Central with a result of six under par for three rounds. At the qualifying school for the European Tour in late September I wasn't able to qualify for the second stage. However, after getting married to my wonderful wife Tiffany in October, I was able to play well enough at the Q-School for the Alps Tour to get a full Tour Card for 2019!