The Swiss Challenge is the tenth stop on the Road to Mallorca, with things starting to take shape after the fifth European stop. Here’s all you need to know before the players tee it up at Golf Sempach…
Strength of field
The winner of the 20th Swiss Challenge will join a list of illustrious past champions which includes four-time DP World Tour winner and European Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello, home favourite Joel Girrbach (who remains the only Swiss Player to win the event), DP World Tour winner Dan Hillier, Scotsman Euan Walker and two-time HotelPlanner Tour winner Felix Mory.
Nick Bachem is amongst the DP World Tour winners in this week’s field in Lucerne, and he'll be looking to boost his chances of returning to Golf’s Global Tour with a win.
Last week’s champion Ryan Van Velzen and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, who won the Danish Golf Challenge two weeks ago, tee it up this week in a bid to build on their recent form alongside past Swiss Challenge Champions Benjamin Hebert and Alexander Knappe.
Golf Sempach
Golf Sempach is situated in the heart of Switzerland, and is surrounded by stunning mountains such as Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi and Mount Titlis, which form the perfect backdrop.
The Lucerne club has a rich history on the HotelPlanner Tour, with this the 12th time an event has been staged there. The Swiss Challenge, albeit under different guises, made its first appearance on the schedule in 2000, and returned in 2001 before a five-year break. It has been ever-present on the Road to Mallorca schedule since the first edition back in 2006.
First-class facilities
At the start of last year, Golf Sempach opened a brand-new state-of-the-art indoor training facility, to allow for year-round golf in Switzerland. Indoor putting greens are interactive, allowing for precise target lines to be created, with chipping and pitching facilities also available. Full swing analysis can be accessed too, and a moving floor can simulate undulating terrain found on golf courses around the world.
Step outside and you have the Alps as the backdrop, plus two 18-hole Championship courses - including the Woodside course the players will tee it up on this week – which makes Golf Sempach a leading facility in Europe.
