Alpine pastures beneath the turf of the Omega European Masters

The first drive played on the high plateau didn’t happen yesterday. It is credited to Brits Sir Henry Lunn and his son Arnold, Crans-Montana’s first tourism pioneers, who played the area’s initial nine holes in 1906 on what was then flowering Alpine pastures. At the time, this gentleman’s sport was booming, with golf clubs opening in Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich and, not long after, Montreux. Golfing’s aristocrats immediately fell in love with the course’s exceptional views at 1,500 m. Still today, between the two fairways and two putting greens, players bask in spectacular panoramic vistas of the surrounding 4,000 m peaks. 

The Crans-sur-Sierre golf club was built in 1924 — more than a century ago, already! Four years later, in the euphoria of the roaring twenties, an 18-hole course was finally completed, and golf became part of the local region’s DNA: children, who took jobs as caddies, became teachers with their own unique playing style. In 1939, the first Swiss Open moved into Crans-Montana and never left.

A legendary course
Today, the ski resort pampers its famous golf courses. The 18-hole course founded by Ballesteros, which is known for its technical nature and steep inclines, hosts the prestigious Omega European Masters (formerly the Swiss Open). And the Jack Nicklaus, named “the most beautiful 9 holes in Switzerland” several times, boasts narrow fairways that require high precision. The trick, as always, is knowing how to adjust your stroke. Here, the locals may have an advantage, as they’re used to the reduced air resistance (due to altitude) and the Alpine gusts of wind. 

The club has been continuously improving the two courses for more than a decade, and the 20-million-franc renovation of the Severiano Ballesteros will be completed in 2026. “We gave great thought to each hole on the course in order to balance a high level of difficulty for professionals with maintaining the fun of the game for amateurs”, says Director Pascal Schmalen. “All profits are reinvested into maintaining and improving the course. Teeing grounds, fairways, bunkers, greens… everything was reevaluated to ensure it met professional golf’s modern standards while also respecting this course’s rich history. We made sure to focus on the many details that help make the game experience unforgettable. That combines beautifully with the exceptional panorama and extraordinary natural environment here to produce a winning formula that favours both the ski resort and our larger region”.

An exceptional summer rendez-vous
Bringing international attention to Crans-Montana, the Omega European Masters is by far the biggest and most important golf tournament in Switzerland and the featured event of the DP (European) World Tour. With a budget surpassing 10 million CHF, the event has also opted to focus on sustainability and a circular economy, boasting Swisstainable recognition and GEO Certification. 

This year, from 28-31 August, the event will welcome 156 of the world’s best professional players competing for the high plateau’s trophy, including some golfing stars and the 30 best players of the Asian Tour. Along with the still-to-be-named amateur winner of the Mémorial Olivier Barras tournament, taking place in Crans-Montana (24-26 June) — which is named after the famous Swiss champion, a local native who died in the 1960s at the age of 32.

But what happens during the winter? In the winter, one can play using a simulator or take to the SeverianoBallesteros on a sled instead of a golf cart for Snow Island, which offers skiing, snowboarding and sledding. Parents can keep an eye on their children from the driving range’s pop-up buvette. And with a little luck, the 2026 Wintergolf Cup may take place again on the Jack Nicklaus. Golf in the snow? Why not?

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