The Staysure Tour returns to Switzerland and the scenic Grand Resort Bad Ragaz for another edition of the Swiss Seniors Open. Ahead of Friday’s opening round, we take a numerical look at the popular event.
22-the first playing of the Swiss Seniors Open was in 1997, as the Staysure Tour — then the European Senior Tour— came to Golf Club Bad Ragaz for the first time. The tournament has been played at the same golf course, in either July or August, every year since, and 2018 will mark the 22ndconsecutive year in operation.
4- the number of players who have won more than once at Bad Ragaz. They are: Scotland’s David Huish, Horacio Carbonetti of Argentina, England’s Carl Mason and American Tim Thelen. Amazingly, Huish, Carbonetti and Mason all successfully defended their maiden Swiss Seniors Open titles the very next year. Defending champion Philip Golding, who is fresh off a strong showing at last week’s U.S. Senior Open will look to join this distinguished group.
6,157-the official yardage that the Swiss Seniors Open will be played from. Despite being one of the shorter courses on the Staysure Tour International Schedule, do not be fooled by the length alone. Golf Club Bad Ragaz is incredibly narrow, and features overhanging trees and small greens, which will force players to take irons and hybrids off many of the tees so that they can have a clear shot at some hole locations that may be tucked away.
3- the number of times Mason has triumphed at Bad Ragaz. After claiming back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008, the Englishman became the only three-time winner of the Swiss Seniors Open when he triumphed again in 2010. Astoundingly, the victory was his record 25thon the European over-50s circuit.
4.23-the scoring average of the 417-yard par four sixth hole, which played as the most difficult in last year’s tournament. In three days, the 55-player field only managed to make 18 birdies against and astounding 48 bogeys or worse.
4.49-conversely, the par five 16thhole was the best opportunity to make-up ground in 2017. Despite yielding only one eagle all week — compared to the par five fifth hole which gave up three — the 484-yarder surrendered 89 birdies, which is why it averaged over half a shot under par.
7- the number of double-bogies or worse that were made on the 161-yard par three 11th. Despite not even ranking in the top half of the most difficult holes at Golf Club Bad Ragaz, the short hole proved to be a round-killer more often than any other in the event.
15-the number of strokes under par last year’s winner Golding finished on. The 195 total is tied for the second-lowest in tournament history behind Mason, whose 16 under par total of 194 in 2007 stands as the best-ever winning-score.
6, 7, 8-the days in July in which the tournament will run. This year will feature the return of the Alliance format, which allows amateur contestants to compete in teams alongside golf’s most iconic names for the first two rounds. After a Saturday night awards ceremony for the amateur participants, the stage is then cleared for an exciting finish as the professionals compete in the final round of the Swiss Seniors Open on Sunday the eighth.
€320,000-
the prize fund for this year’s Swiss Seniors Open, which is the largest-ever for the Bad Ragaz event. Tickets are free, and with scoreboards throughout the property, a grandstand surrounding the 18
th
hole and a spectator-friendly course from a walkability standpoint, there really is no reason to miss legendary golfers from around the world competing for big-time prize money.
