When it comes to the development of women’s golf in Switzerland, one name stands out: Régine Lautens. Her story is more than just an athletic career – it’s a powerful example of how talent, dedication, and passion can spark lasting change. As a successful tour player, committed coach, and co-creator of pioneering development programs, she is one of the most influential figures in Swiss golf.

From First Swing to World-Class Player

Régine Lautens discovered golf in the Belgian seaside town of Knokke-Le-Zoute, inspired by her cousin Jacky Moerman, one of the top European amateurs of his time. Upon returning to Geneva, she began practicing with her brother. The start was anything but easy: “I had a terrible swing and hit only slices,” she recalls with a smile. A breakthrough came thanks to a new coach at Golf Club de Genève, Frédéric Brizon, along with strong family support and growing determination.

At just 16, she won the Swiss Women’s Match Play Championship. Soon after, international success followed: 12 victories at international amateur tournaments and a third-place finish at the 1987 World Amateur Championship. In 1988, she turned professional and spent 14 years competing on the Ladies European Tour, including stops in Asia. Physical issues eventually brought her competitive career to an end, but marked the beginning of her greatest impact on the sport.

A New Mission: Teaching with Heart

What followed was a seamless transition from elite athlete to dedicated mentor. In 2001, at the invitation of Barbara Albisetti, Régine joined a junior training camp in Losone – an experience that profoundly moved her. She soon became the Swiss national coach for junior girls and later for the women’s national team. From 2001 to 2009, she shaped youth development within the Swiss Golf Association with pedagogical clarity and emotional intelligence.

Girls&Golf: Empowering Young Players

A major milestone in her work was her involvement in Girls&Golf, an initiative launched in 2002 to attract more girls to golf through a playful, age-appropriate approach. Régine joined the team in 2003, working alongside founders Barbara Eberhart and Denise Lavigne. With fellow coaches such as Sabina Block, Esther Valera, and others, she helped create a training model tailored to girls’ needs.

The formula: creative drills, team-building, motivational elements, and a respectful atmosphere – regardless of skill level. Under her guidance, the program launched nationwide day camps, summer camps with highlights like visits to the Evian Championship, creative workshops, energizing warm-ups, and a pioneering program at Golf Club de Genève. Crucially, parents were encouraged to participate – through family tournaments and sessions with sports psychologists. The focus: no pressure, but support for independence, discipline, and confidence.

Golf as a Life School – Especially for Girls

To Régine Lautens, golf has always been more than just a sport. It’s a space where young people – especially girls – can build confidence and character. “Your worth does not depend on your score,” she often says. Many of her students have gone on to achieve great things in golf, including Albane Valenzuela, Rachel Rossel, Shannon Aubert, and Clara Pietri. But for Régine, it was never just about winning – it was about personal growth.

A Lasting Legacy – and a Call to Action

Today, the Girls&Golf initiative continues under the name Girls4Golf, led by a new generation of passionate coaches such as Caroline Rominger and Emilie Bruchez. For Régine Lautens, this is a triumph: “I congratulate everyone who continues this project with heart and soul.”

She also shares clear guidance for the Swiss PGA and all those working with young female players:

• Offer individual support

• Emphasize technical fundamentals

• Keep training varied with games and team events

• Involve parents early on

• Integrate mental and physical training

• Provide role models through televised tournaments

And most importantly: “A charismatic junior captain can make all the difference – they are both role model and coach.”

Final Thoughts: Golf as a Life Journey

For Régine Lautens, golf is far more than a sport. It’s a place where young people, particularly girls, can grow. It teaches honesty, respect, humility, self-discipline, and resilience. Through her passion and vision, she has become a defining figure in women’s golf in Switzerland.

“Golf is part of my life – a passion that became a profession.”