Swiss Golf Courses Open to Groups

Meetings & Conventions: Incentive News

Swiss Golf Courses Open to Groups

Switzerland is an appealing incentive destination for many reasons, but golf has not been one of them. Most of the country’s 80 golf courses are private and traditionally have not allowed groups or other visitors to play. Now, it appears the lockout has ended. In the past year, three 18-hole public courses have opened and at least another six are under construction and expected to open in 2003, according to Marco Waelti, business travel manager for the Switzerland Convention and Incentive Bureau in New York City. At the same time, many of the country’s private courses are now allowing outsiders to play on their greens. One caveat: They have to be good. Players must meet a minimum handicap, as verified by the Professional Golf Association. Among the private clubs that now welcome qualified outsiders is Crans-Montana. This Jack Nicklaus-designed course, which was completely revamped in 2000, is home to Switzerland’s most famous golf event, the Omega European Masters.

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