Interview with Melanie Mätzler —

VP Bank Ladies Open 2018

The VP Bank Ladies Open starts in a few days’ time. What are you expecting from the tournament?

Melanie Mätzler: As a player, I want to get the spectators excited, to help them catch the golf bug. From a sporting point of view, my big target is to make the cut and still be playing on Sunday. As tournament ambassador, it’s very important to me to make sure it’s an attractive tournament for the sponsors, spectators and players, and to give them a good platform.

What are your duties as tournament ambassador?

Melanie Mätzler: I represent the tournament to the players on the tour, I am available to answer their questions and deal with any concerns, and I market the tournament to make sure they all want to play in it and we get a strong field. As far as the media are concerned, I am generally seen as the face of the tournament. I also assist the organisers on any golfing or organisational issues, and I am in contact with the sponsors too.

What is the players’ view of the VP Bank Ladies Open?

Melanie Mätzler: The VP Bank Ladies Open is one of the most popular tournaments on the calendar. The players praise it every year for faultless organisation and communications, and the excellent condition of the course. The friendliness of all the tournament staff is also very much appreciated. The very attractive pro-am tournament and gala dinner at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz is a highlight for a lot of the players – that’s another reason why the tournament is so popular.

How do you feel competitive women’s golf is developing overall?

Melanie Mätzler: Competitive women’s golf is making great strides. Interest is growing and the standard of play has improved hugely over the last 10 years. Unfortunately, the previous leadership of the Ladies European Tour didn’t manage it very well from a commercial point of view, so there are only a few top-level professional tournaments in Europe at the moment. But I am optimistic that the new leadership will change that and help make sure that this positive development continues.

You have been playing as a professional at international tournaments for seven years. What is life like as a professional golfer?

Melanie Mätzler: Above all, my home life as a professional golfer means a lot of training, either on the range or on the course, as well as fitness training in the gym. After training, the next most important thing is organising travel to the various tournaments, booking all the flights and hotels and hire cars as cheaply as possible. I do most of the sponsor servicing and media work myself too, which means that’s another part of my job description as a professional golfer. In some ways, life at the tournaments is rather monotonous. I eat, sleep and play the tournament (laughs). But in other respects, it is very varied, because it allows me to travel to a lot of countries, and occasionally I get to take in some of the culture in these places too. I am very grateful to be able to lead this life.

Golf is your job and your passion. Do you have any time for other interests?

Melanie Mätzler: I do get some, but not a lot. I have to plan my free time in just as much detail as my training. It’s not always easy for the people around me, but my family and my closest friends show a lot of understanding. I’m very grateful to them for that.

In winter, I spend as many nice days off as I can on the slopes in Flumserberg. In summer, I have less time for hobbies. Any time I do have I use for brunches or barbecues with family and friends, and stand-up paddleboarding on the Walensee.

One last question: What do you need to be successful as a golfer?

Melanie Mätzler: A good score (laughs). Joking aside, you have to dedicate your life to golf and be aware that it will make a lot of things in “normal” life more difficult, like maintaining friendships. But above all, you need self-discipline, real will to succeed and a lot of determination. You have to learn to see the positives when you go through tough times and keep pushing yourself. And staying healthy is very important too!