Two High Class Golf Events in Geneva
26.08.2019

Tomorrow, the Omega European Masters starts in Crans-sur-Sierre. Another highlight for European Tour CEO Keith Pelley - because no matter what level of European Tour one asks, the Swiss tournaments are enjoying great popularity among tour professionals.

This was shown once more when the Challenge Tour - including Pelley - made its obligatory tour stop on Lake Geneva last week and guested for the Rolex Trophy at the GC de Genève. "World class event" were the most used words of the tour professionals when they talked about the Rolex Trophy on their social media and classic media accounts.

Keith Marriott, President of the Swiss PGA, knows the reasons for this: "Of course the landscape here in Geneva is great - as well as in Crans and also in Bad Ragaz - but what the Rolex Trophy, the Omega European Masters and the Swiss Seniors Open really are unique and popular among Pros is the Swiss precision with which these tournaments are organized. At these events, attention is paid to every detail, the organizers work with the precision of a watchmaker - typically Switzerland and absolutely top! "What impresses Marriott in connection with these tournaments, is their Swissness:" The main sponsors of these three events are original Swiss companies. Everything fits together; it is good to see that golf is supported in this country by domestic companies to such an extent. »

High-end at the Rolex Trophy 2019 was not only the quality of the organization, but also the performance of the 40 professionals on the course. Winner Darius Van Driel (Netherlands) needed 265 strokes for the four laps - 23 less than the place standard. In total, 27 players had a score of -10 or better after four rounds. The only Swiss in the field, the Geneva Raphaël de Sousa, was unfortunately not included. However, with solid play and rounds of 73, 71, 66 and 71 strokes (-7) he placed himself in 32nd place.

The ultimate winner Van Driel and the Northern Irish Cormac Sharvin created a great spectacle on the 14th hole, a very difficult par 4. Both scored an eagle. "Eagles are very rare on this course, but within 20 minutes - Sharvin played in the third to last, Van Driel in the last flight - two eagles have been scored. It is a sensation," said Keith Marriott, pleased about the sporting highlight.

The President of the Swiss PGA sees these two eagles as motivation for his Swiss PGA members. The GC de Genève not only hosts the Rolex Trophy this year, but also hosts the Swiss PGA Championship, which will be played in early October. "Geneva is proud to host our championship," says Marriott. "Director François Lautens and his team, as well as President Maxime de Raemy are planning an unforgettable tournament with a gala evening after the final round to which the ProAm participants are also invited." What particularly pleases the president of the Swiss golf professionals: "The Golf Club de Genève has set up a committee to look after the Swiss PGA Championship, which among other things is working to level up the prize money for this year's championship. "Those who want to take the winner check on October 3rd will have to show their best golf:" The course will be surely in perfect shape again at the beginning of October and the greens will be as fast as during the Rolex Trophy, "promises Marriott. This is possible because the GC de Genève has rebuilt its greens and provided it with an underground ventilation and irrigation system. This guarantees optimal grass growth.