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General view of the 7th hole during Day Two of the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club on September 01, 2023.
The 2025 Omega European Masters kicks off at the breathtaking Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre, perched high in the Swiss Alps. Set atop a 1,500‑meter plateau overlooking the Rhône Valley, the course offers jaw-dropping views of iconic peaks like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
This isn’t just another beautiful backdrop; it’s a signature battleground on the DP World Tour. Since its roots as the Swiss Open, this tournament has become one of the tour’s most beloved stops, thanks in no small part to the dramatic mountain setting.
From Pastures to Prestige
Believe it or not, the idea of golf here began in 1905, when hotelier Arnold Lunn envisioned a course on the high-altitude pastures of Crans-Montana. The first nine holes opened in 1906, with the full 18 completed by 1908 under British designers Freemantle and Gedge.
Golf there stalled during World War I, but renewed life was breathed into it in 1921 by local hoteliers. The Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club officially formed in 1924, and by 1929, the full layout was up and running. Early reshaping by English architect Harry Nicholson set the course’s foundation for decades.
The Swiss Open first came to Crans-sur-Sierre in 1939, making it the oldest European tournament played at the same venue annually. World War II paused the event until 1948, and since then, it’s anchored its home there. In 1983, the event was rebranded as the European Masters, eventually taking on its current title with Omega’s sponsorship.
This course has seen legends walk its fairways–champions like Colin Montgomerie, Seve Ballesteros, and Ernie Els have all claimed titles here.
The Course Evolution
Crans‑sur‑Sierre features more than one storied route. The main 18-hole course, originally known as Plan-Bramos, evolved after Ballesteros redesigned it in 1997–reshaping greens, hazards, and fairways–earning the layout its current name in 2002.
Meanwhile, the 9-hole Xirès Course, originally introduced in 1951, was revamped in 1988 by Jack Nicklaus; his first Swiss design. That course still draws praise for its scenic precision and playability.
Nicklaus emphasized tighter fairways and elevated greens, making accuracy paramount. While shorter, the smaller targets and well-placed hazards often leave even pros grinding to save par. It’s a compact but punishing complement to the Ballesteros track.
Beyond the elite European Masters, the club also hosts the Memorial Olivier Barras, founded in 1965 to honor the Swiss champion Olivier Barras. Both amateurs and pros compete, with winners often earning a spot in the European Masters field.
And amid rugged alpine terrain, local lore finds a place too–like the memorial plaque for Billy Casper’s rare albatross on the tricky 14th hole, a testament to the course’s brutal beauty and golfing mythology.
Beauty With Bite
The Severiano Ballesteros Course–the flagship 18-hole championship layout–isn’t just about stunning views; it’s a tactical exam. Sitting 1,500 meters up, the thinner alpine air adds extra distance to tee shots, tempting players to be aggressive. But Seve’s redesign ensured the risk comes with danger. Tight landing zones and strategically placed bunkers force players to think twice before pulling driver.
One of the course’s most famous tests is the par-4 7th hole, where elevation drops dramatically from tee to green. Bombers can chase the green in one, but anything offline risks trouble in rough, bunkers, or out-of-bounds. The par-3 13th is another postcard hole; guarded by water short and trees long, demanding absolute precision. The greens, often quick and undulating, reward only those who can marry touch with nerve.
Crans-sur-Sierre also offers the Super Crans and Noas courses, built with beginners and juniors in mind. They may not be as punishing, but they extend the club’s identity as a venue for everyone–from rookies chasing their first par to tour pros hunting a trophy.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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