Swiss ParaGolf Association is a new reality.
Our story
The founding team, Patrick Rosenast, Emmanuel Berset, Urs Bucher and David Luisi, created the association in November 2022 to attract members in order to reach out to golfers with an impairment in Switzerland who do not yet know that this movement, with a delay of 30 years (England, Germany, Italy and France), now also exists in Switzerland.
The numerous golf tournaments for people with an impairment, both in Europe and in other parts of the world, prove that golf is also an ideal sport for people with various disabilities. Clubs and pros are adapting to golfers with an impairment, even to attract them as an additional target group: Thus, more and more clubs are adapting to facilitate access to the courses for golfers with special aids (para-golfers, prostheses, etc.), while at the same time adapted golf rules allow participation in open competitions.
One main objective of the association is to improve the flow of information through cooperation with other national and international associations and to seek a dialogue with other associations with common interests
The focus of the activities is the sport. We cater to both casual and ambitious sports golfers.
The Swiss ParaGolf Association will also organize integration tournaments to establish or intensify contact between impaired and non-impaired golfers.
Swiss ParaGolf Association Statutes
Board of Directors
Patrick Rosenast
President
Born in 1970 in Zurich. I am a one-armed Paragolfer since May 2021, as a routine brain surgery in October 2020 resulted in brain hemorrhage and left sided paralysis. Golf means a lot to me and has been enormously important for my recovery process. I am convinced that golf can be an inspiration and game changer for every physically and mentally impaired person.
Emmanuel Berset
Vice President
Born in 1970 in Fribourg, married with 2 children, I am a paragolfer since 2008, with an amputated right leg. I participated in 2 Paralympic Games as an athlete in the throwing disciplines.
My main motivation is to help the next generation of athletes and to promote this wonderful sport for people with impairment.
Patrick Maurin
Treasurer
Born in 1981 in Sierre. I became paraplegic following an accident in August 2019. I used to play golf before my accident and started playing handigolf again in 2021. I get around using my paragolfer. I want to bring my joy of life and motivation to our association and inspire others to play golf, even with a disability.
Rovena Rosenast
Inclusion Officer
Tournaments DE
Four years ago, my perspective on golf changed forever.
After a brain hemorrhage, my husband suddenly faced the challenge of playing golf again with only one arm. What initially felt like a setback became a gateway for both of us into a very special world: Paragolf.
During this time, I had the privilege of meeting people whose courage, passion, and openness deeply moved and inspired me. These experiences have shaped my path into the Swiss Paragolf Association (SPGA).
Today, as Inclusion Officer, I am fully committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience this sport – without barriers. And at the tournaments I organize in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, one thing is always at the heart of it all: community, fairness, and the joy of the game that unites us all.
Robert P. Bucher
Legal Matters
I was born in 1964 with a congenital dysmelia (missing left hand). Our daughter Anna is a passionate golfer and infected me with the “golf virus.” Through her “Anna’s Open” I got to know Patrick and the SPGA. I believe the SPGA is a very important initiative, and I’m happy to contribute my experience and enthusiasm to its members, to actively support inclusion, and to enjoy the game of golf and the community together.