A young athlete tells

Mother, father, two daughters - they walk across the golf course. The girls are still small, but soon they will want to hold the club in their own hands. Carine was 12 when she started playing; her sister Nadja is two and a half years older.

Change of scene. Mid-October 2020. The two sisters are often on the course together. Today is no exception. And they are accompanied by two male colleagues. Their love of golf and of their homeland, the Engadin, has endured. In mid-October, it is only possible to play on the golf course after noon. The frost that covers the grass during the night requires patience from the golfers. But practicing patience is actually good preparation for the game.

"On the golf course, I can switch off. It's peaceful and quiet," says Carine. And the scenery is unique. Especially in the fall when the trees have changed color. Then one can literally smell autumn and know that winter is not far behind. The change is very good for her especially because she trains intensively for cross-country skiing in the summer. The young Engadin woman from St. Moritz is a professional athlete and participates in the Visma Ski Classics series - that is, she competes in long-distance races in the classic technique. The races are over 35-90 kilometers each. A few years ago she was in the Swiss Ski squad, but then overtraining set her back. It was then that she realized how good golf was for her - as a mental workout. Since then, it has become more than just a hobby. Golfing means switching off, concentrating completely on the moment. With 18 holes, that means about four hours of concentration. "If you have a bad shot, you check it off and move on. This attitude also helps me in the winter because if you are doing 90 kilometers, and at some point, you feel like you just can't make it, you also have to keep going, look ahead, and not lose focus."

Carine Heuberger is now 23 years old. She is petite, has light brown hair and green-blue eyes, and is full of energy. She doesn't take it easy on the golf course either: "We are known for playing fast. We practically run around the course," she says with a smile, and she is undoubtedly referring to herself and her sister. They carry the bags with the clubs across their backs. One can hear the sound of the clubs hitting against each other as they run. "There would also be remote-controlled trolleys that roll alongside you like a dog." You can also see them on the on the golf course in Samedan. A tentative smile flits across Carine's lips at the sight of it. Carrying the 10-kilogram bag on her back is an additional workout. If you play 18 holes, you also walk about 8 kilometers on the golf course in Samedan. But the terrain is flat - unlike in Zuoz, where it is a bit more hilly. On we go. She takes her plush koala off the "driver," as this is the club required for the long shot. The cover, or the koala, protects the club from damage. What's the deal with the animal? "Nothing, it's just cute," says Carine, positioning herself to take the tee shot. Speaking of distance- thanks to the thin air in the Engadin, balls fly a lot farther here than they do elsewhere. If you are aiming for a record in terms of the "longest drive," you are in the right place here. In addition, the golf courses captivate with the views they offer - here, it's not just watching balls soar into the distance. Back to the tee. 2, 3 practice swings, then onto the ball. Carine has a 4.3 handicap and took second place in the last club championship. But she is not satisfied with that because she wanted to defend her title. Nevertheless, she is congratulated in the clubhouse as we sit down for an early lunch. People know each other. "We're like a big family. And it's easy for new members to be welcomed. That's another big plus of the golf courses in the Engadin: you don't have to be afraid of contact."

"Those who conform to a stereotype are always there, even in golf," Carine says when asked about it. But it's the passion that unites them all. During the summer that is affected by the Coronavirus, Carine spends more time than usual on the golf course. Despite her ambition to play well, the main thing for her is to have fun. She feels no pressure to perform and plays when she has time. And - apart from herself - no one is interested in whether she plays well or not. It is a cold autumn day. Carine rubs her hands together before gripping the club again. Her white fingertips stand out even more. At the 14th hole, the trees are reflected in the pond. Some balls miss their target and land in the water. Despite the low temperatures, the course is bustling with activity. It will not be long until the courses are winterized. The golfers use the last hours to indulge in their hobby. A wildly mixed group but all sharing the love of golf.