Crans Sur Sierre hosts European Tour event for 55th year in succession
IN: News | European PGA | Omega European Masters (2003) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 03 Sep 2003
Crans sur Sierre in Switzerland plays host to the Omega European Masters this week, the 55th consecutive year that the Alpine village high above the Rhone Valley will host a significant European Tour event. The tournament has previously been know as the Swiss Open and in more recent years the European Masters under different sponsors but its location ensures that it remains one of the more unique events in European golf.
So high is the golf course that it doubles as the learners slopes for the ski resort, so popular with the European and British ski set during the winter months. Its altitude and thin air also ensures that the golf ball is hit great distances during the week, along the lines that occurs in Colorado the week of The International.
The field this week includes Ernie Els, Colin Montgomeire, Sergio Garcia, Michael Campbell, Eduardo Romero, Ignacio Garrido, Trevor Immelman (2nd last year) and Brian Davis as the leading players.
Robert Karlsson is the defending champion, and after a very good week last week in Germany, he may well be in the thick of things again. Other recent winners include the Argentinians Eduardo Romero and Ricardo Gonzalez.
Australasians in addition to Campbell are Brett Rumford, Marcus Fraser, Eddie Lee who plays on invite as does Gavin Healey, Jarrod Moseley, Peter Fowler, Greg Turner, Stephen Scahill, Terry Price and Lucas Parsons.
Prize money totals 1.6 million euro or $A2,800,000.
