New «Swiss PGA General Secretary»
02.12.2020

Richard Heath, who lives in Epalinges near Lausanne, will succeed Irene Oberländer in taking-over the operational management of the Swiss PGA. The experienced golf manager will move from his current role as General Secretary of the European Golf Association to take up his new position on 1.1.2021.

Richard Heath, an internationally experienced and highly qualified golf manager, will succeed Irene Oberländer, who has been Swiss PGA General Secretary for the last 6 years. Richard is a formally qualified sports management professional holding an Advanced Master Degree in Sport Administration from the International Academy of Sport Science and Technology (AISTS) in Lausanne. He has gained valuable experience during his 15 years with the European Golf Association as General Secretary (9 years) and Championship Manager (6 years) and as a member of various international golf commissions, which he will now pour into his new responsibility.

"We are delighted to have gained Richard Heath, a profound expert in golf, as our new Swiss PGA General Secretary. His sports management and project experience as well as his broad network will support us in the implementation of our strategic goals," said Swiss PGA President, Keith Marriott.

The challenges in the current economic and social environment are considerable. In close cooperation with his stakeholders, partners and sponsors, the new Swiss PGA General Secretary intends to play an active role in the development of the Swiss golf market. Richard Heath says: "With well-trained golf instructors and coaches who are able to apply their trade to nurture talent, inspire the will to perform, and to create fun and interest in the sport, we can provide our strategic partners Swiss Golf, ASGI and Migros Golfparks with ongoing support in the promotion of golf.

Upon learning of Richard’s appointment, commented Reto Bieler, President of Swiss Golf: “This is great news for the Swiss PGA and for the sport of golf in Switzerland. I congratulate both the Swiss PGA and Richard on behalf of Swiss Golf and we look forward to furthering our future cooperation.”

The ambitious new Swiss PGA General Secretary has a handicap of +3.7 and is a member of the Golf Club Lausanne - and he knows his sport in a playing capacity, too. As a golfer, he has over 35 years’ experience in representative team golf and a myriad of tournament wins including two European and five Swiss titles.

Richard Heath will assume his new role on January 1, 2021.