Romain Buttarazzi: “Be rigorous in your choices”

"Golf is a culture of failure. You visualize things, and in 99% of cases, you don't manage to do exactly what you wanted! You have to learn to find new solutions quickly." This culture didn't stop 22-year-old Romain Buttarazzi from winning the French University Golf Championships. He took up golf at the age of 4 "to be with my father, who was also just starting out." Romain entered national tournaments at the age of 14 before setting his sights on the international stage two years ago.

"Find solutions quickly"

Romain attributes his love of golf, inherited from his passionate grandparents, primarily to "constant contact with nature. I really love that." But also by the psychology of a comprehensive sport that requires "patience, strategy, tenacity, and a great deal of humility. You can very quickly lose your confidence in the moment and have to rebuild everything. You have to be rigorous in your choices and believe in your areas of focus."

A finance student at Montpellier Management, Romain, who has just completed his master's degree, pursued his studies while also being heavily involved in the Nîmes Campagne Golf Club. Captain of the Coupe de France since 2017, he is involved in selecting players, training young people, and developing the sports program.

"Keep playing as a team"

It's not always easy to juggle both roles, especially when it's time for internships. "It's a question of organization and determination. I've always worked that way. I've never asked for flexible hours, and for the past two years I've been lucky enough to live near the golf course, so I can easily go and practice in the evenings."

Although Romain Buttarazzi is truly passionate about golf, he does not plan to make it his career and wants to remain an amateur, "mainly so that I can continue playing as part of a team, which I wouldn't be able to do as a professional." As for his future, after recently defending his master's thesis, he envisions a career "in finance or real estate." These are two fields where the golfer's patience and rigor should make him a wise advisor.

UM athletes at the top of their game!

The University of Montpellier celebrates its medal-winning athletes at the World, European, and French University Championships during an annual ceremony organized by SUAPS. Read the profiles of these champions who juggle the demanding dual life of student and athlete. Read all the profiles...