Most golf tours end with a nice dinner. Fairways & Frontlines ends with a round at 1,500 metres above sea level in the Swiss Alps, with views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club sits high above the Rhône Valley in the resort town of Crans-Montana. The Severiano Ballesteros Course — yes, that Seve — hosts the Omega European Masters every August, making it one of the most prestigious courses on the European Tour.
Our September tour timing means we’ll play immediately after the tournament finishes. The greens will be immaculate. The fairways will be tournament-ready. And the galleries will be gone, replaced by panoramic Alpine views in every direction.
At 1,500 metres altitude, the ball travels roughly 10% further than at sea level. Your 150-metre 7-iron becomes a 165-metre 7-iron. The thinner air also means less spin, so approach shots release more on the greens. It changes the way you think about every club in the bag.
The day trip from Evian covers about 115 km each way through the Swiss Alps — roughly two hours by coach. The scenery is spectacular: Lake Geneva gives way to the Rhône Valley, then the road climbs into the mountains. It’s worth the early start.
One thing to know: Crans-sur-Sierre is primarily a walking course. Carts can be arranged but should be pre-booked. For our group of golfers aged 60 and above, this is a consideration. The terrain is hilly and the altitude can cause mild breathlessness for some. We’ll ensure carts are available for anyone who needs one.
Green fees on the Severiano Ballesteros Course run CHF 140–180 in September. At current exchange rates, that’s roughly AUD $230–$295 — not cheap, but you’re playing an European Tour venue in the Swiss Alps. When else will you do this?
After the round, lunch at the clubhouse with Alpine views, then the coach back to Evian for our final evening on Lake Geneva.
Round 6 of 6. The finale.