Swiss Challenge 2017
26.05.2017
The eighth consecutive time Golf Sempachersee hosts the Swiss Challenge, which has a history dating back to 2000. Alex Knappe won the event in 2016 on route to finishing second in the Road to Oman Rankings, with Rafa Cabrera-Bello also picking up the coveted cow bell trophy back in 2008.
The Swiss Challenge is the most important golfing event in German-speaking Switzerland, taking place from June 1 to 4, 2017 at Golf Sempachersee. "The longest championship course in Switzerland will be even longer this year at 6567 meters. The nine track is played over the maximum length, "says tournament director Daniel Weber.
Challenge Tour Leader Aaron Rai "ready to take next step"
One of the highlights of the European Challenge Tour is the one-of-a-kind participant field 2017. The Englishman Aaron Rai already has two victories this year on the European Challenge Tour. If he makes it to the podium again at the Swiss Challenge, he will go straight to the European Tour, the highest professional golfing tour. In addition, the Englishman Paul Howard, who last year missed the Swiss Challenge only one blow, will be back again this year. The best conditions for a thrilling competition.
Names such as Brooks Koepka used the Swiss Challenge as a springboard for a great international career. After its participation in 2012, the American has now risen to world number 19. This year, his brother Chase Koepka will start the Swiss Challenge with a wild card from the organizer. The golfing world is looking forward to Koepka from 1 June 2017. Does he also achieve the sensational rise to the top?
Ambitious Swiss PGA Players
Benjamin Rusch
Overall, there will be 11 Swiss PGA playing members and 2 ASG Elite Amateur player competing at the Swiss Challenge. For all of them it is an outstanding opportunity to present their skills to the Swiss audience.
At this year's Swiss Challenge, we are looking forward to Marco Iten and Mathias Eggenberger, who are playing their first season as golf professionals. Both of them already showed strong performances at the Pro Golf Tour. Marco Iten is the current leader of the Swiss PGA ASGI Order of Merit.
Both Benjamin Rusch and Joel Girrbach are gearing up for a successful season and ready for top results. Other Swiss players are:
- Roberto Francioni
- Raphael de Sousa
- Marc Dobias
- Zeno Felder
- Corsin Caviezel (Swiss PGA Champion 2016)
- Luca Galliano
- Jean-Luc Burnier
- Jeremy Freiburghaus (Am)
- Neal Woernhard (Am)
Marco Iten
Luca Galliano
Marc Dobias
Roberto Francioni
Corsin Caviezel
Mathias Eggenberger
Joel Girrbach
Swiss Challenge Juniors Day
The 2. Swiss Challenge Juniors Day will take place on Saturday 3rd of June 2017 at Golf Sempachersee. The event is organized in close cooperation with the ASG and the Swiss PGA. "We have put together a highly motivated team of 9 Swiss PGA teaching members, ready to bring an unforgettable day to the kids", says Irene Oberländer/Swiss PGA General Secretary.
The program will be as follows:
- 10:00 Welcome at the Public Village
- 10:30 Group Work: Drive, Chip & Putt Competition and course visit
- 12:00 Lunch at the Green Garden Restaurant
- 13:00 Group Work: Drive, Chip & Putt Competition and course visit
- 15:30 Get together: Prize Gving, autogramms and group pictures
- 16:30 Time to say goodbye
Meet & Greet and Guided Tours with the Swiss PGA
The Swiss PGA will be represented by Keith Marriott/President and Irene Oberländer/General Secretary. The two will be supported by an experienced team of Swiss PGA members guiding groups of interested visitors on the course and offering a Swiss PGA putting competition.
Swiss PGA Guided Tours/Putting Competition:
- Friday, 2. June 2017, 13:00 - 14:00, putting competition: 14:00 - 16:00
- Saturday, 3. June 2017, 13:00 - 14:00, no putting competition
- Sunday, 4. June 2017, 13:00 - 14:00, putting competition: 14:00 - 16:00
The Swiss PGA is represented at the ASG visitor tent next to the 18th green from Friday to Sunday.
