Fiona Risse is twenty-three years old, comes from the small village of La Roche in the canton of Fribourg, and is currently training to become a Swiss PGA Professional. She works half-time at Golf Club Montreux, half-time as an accounting assistant at a fiduciary — and somehow finds the balance to pursue the career she was always meant for. Her story is one of passion, persistence and the quiet courage it takes to change direction.

Golf in Gruyère

Fiona’s first contact with golf came at the age of ten, when her father took her along to Golf Club de la Gruyère. What started as occasional outings quickly became something more. She entered a few club tournaments, discovered she loved the competitive side — and was hooked.

From there, Fiona progressed through junior competitions, including the U18 circuit, and into amateur golf. She loved playing and competing, but over time a deeper realisation took shape: what excited her most wasn’t her own game — it was helping others improve theirs. “I love sharing my passion,” she says, “and above all, seeing others progress.”

A Career Change with Purpose

Before entering the golf world, Fiona completed a commercial apprenticeship at a fiduciary — a solid, traditional career path. But the pull of golf was stronger. She enrolled in the Swiss PGA education programme, drawn by the opportunity to turn her passion into a profession.

Today, Fiona juggles two half-time positions: coaching and learning at Golf Club Montreux, and working as an accounting assistant at a fiduciary. It’s a setup that keeps her connected to both worlds — developing her coaching skills on the course while keeping one foot in the business world.

The balance isn’t always easy. “Finding the right balance between my training, my two jobs and my personal life is the biggest challenge,” she admits. “It’s not always obvious how to keep time for myself.” But it’s a challenge she’s learning to manage — and one that’s making her stronger.

Motivating, Attentive, Positive

Fiona describes her teaching style in three words: motivating, attentive and positive. It’s an approach built on listening — understanding where each student is before deciding where to go next.

Her very first lesson is still vivid in her memory. “I was incredibly stressed,” she recalls. “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to help my client, or that I’d lose my composure.” In the end, everything went well — and her client came back. It’s a small moment, but one that captures the leap of faith every young coach must make: trusting that what you know is enough to help someone else.

Shaped by Charly Goux

When asked about the person who influenced her most, Fiona doesn’t hesitate: Charly Goux. She’s trained with him since she was a child, and his impact goes far beyond the swing. “He always knew how to get me back on track when my swing had a mind of its own,” she says with a smile.

Fiona describes Goux as generous, always available and deeply committed to his juniors — someone who took the time to guide her, advise her and help her grow, both in her golf and in her approach to sport. It’s the kind of mentorship that shapes not just a player, but a future coach.

CrossFit, Mountains and Good Company

Off the course, Fiona is anything but still. Running, hiking, CrossFit and sports with friends fill her free time. “I’m not the type to spend the day on the sofa,” she says. It’s a lifestyle driven by movement and connection — and one that mirrors the energy she brings to her coaching.

More Women in Golf Coaching

Fiona’s wish for the future is clear and personal: she wants to see more women take the Swiss PGA education programme and become golf coaches. It’s a message that carries weight coming from someone who is living that path right now — navigating two jobs, a demanding training programme and the daily realities of building a career in a sport where female coaches remain underrepresented.

Fiona Risse is still at the beginning of her journey as a Swiss PGA Professional. But everything about her story — the determination, the warmth, the willingness to juggle — suggests that the best chapters are yet to come.