The Swiss Challenge is a golf tournament on the Challenge Tour, which was held in Switzerland until 2021. Since then it has since been held in France.

Swiss Challenge
Tournament information
LocationFolgensbourg, France
Established2000
Course(s)Golf Saint Apollinaire
Par72
Length7,434 yards (6,798 m)
Tour(s)Challenge Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund270,000
Month playedSeptember
Tournament record score
Aggregate262 Marcel Schneider (2018)
To par−25 Rafa Cabrera-Bello (2008)
−25 Marcus Helligkilde (2021)
Current champion
Scotland Euan Walker
Location map
Golf Saint Apollinaire is located in France
Golf Saint Apollinaire
Golf Saint Apollinaire
Location in France
Golf Saint Apollinaire is located in Grand Est
Golf Saint Apollinaire
Golf Saint Apollinaire
Location in Grand Est

History

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It was first played as the Credit Suisse Private Banking Open in 2000 and 2001 at the Golf Club Patriziale Ascona in Ascona. It replaced the Interlaken Open which ended after financial issues.[1] During the course of the 2002 edition, the heavy rain led to the overflow of the Lake Maggiore and to the cancellation of the event.[2]

Following a four-year hiatus, the tournament returned in 2006 and was held at the Wylihof Golf Club in Luterbach through 2009. Since 2010 the event has been played at Golf Sempachersee in Hildisrieden.

Since 2021, the event has uniquely been held in France and been played at Golf Saint Apollinaire in Folgensbourg, close to the Swiss border. In round 2 of the 2021 event, Alejandro del Rey shot the first ever round of 58 on any tour in Europe. It was also the lowest round to-par (−14) on any major tour in world golf.[3]

Winners

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Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Venue
Swiss Challenge
2024   Euan Walker 135[a] −9 3 strokes   Bradley Bawden
  Kristoffer Reitan
Saint Apollinaire
2023   Adam Blommé 271 −17 Playoff   Jesper Svensson Saint Apollinaire
2022   Daniel Hillier 274 −14 2 strokes   Jeong-Weon Ko Saint Apollinaire
2021   Marcus Helligkilde 263 −25 1 stroke   Nicolai Kristensen
  Jonathan Thomson
Saint Apollinaire
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019   Ricardo Santos 269 −15 1 stroke   Richard Bland
  Moritz Lampert
Sempachersee
2018   Marcel Schneider 262 −22 6 strokes   Kristian Krogh Johannessen Sempachersee
2017   Joel Girrbach 267 −17 2 strokes   Craig Lee Sempachersee
2016   Alexander Knappe 272 −12 1 stroke   Paul Howard
  Espen Kofstad
Sempachersee
2015   Daniel Im 273 −11 Playoff   Gary Boyd Sempachersee
2014   Pierre Relecom 269 −15 1 stroke   Niccolo Quintarelli Sempachersee
2013   Victor Riu 265 −19 3 strokes   Adam Gee
  Brinson Paolini
Sempachersee
Credit Suisse Challenge
2012   Gary Stal 273 −11 Playoff   Alexandre Kaleka Sempachersee
2011   Benjamin Hébert 272 −12 4 strokes   Jamie Moul Sempachersee
2010   Alessandro Tadini 266 −22 1 stroke   Stuart Manley
  Marius Thorp
Sempachersee
2009   Peter Baker (2) 274 −18 1 stroke   Florian Praegant Wylihof
2008   Rafa Cabrera-Bello 267 −25 2 strokes   Gary Lockerbie Wylihof
2007   Peter Baker 272 −20 1 stroke   Andrew McArthur Wylihof
2006   Francisco Cea 276 −16 Playoff   Tim Milford Wylihof
Credit Suisse Private Banking Open
2003–2005: No tournament
2002 Tournament abandoned due to severe weather[4]
2001   Greig Hutcheon 266 −18 1 stroke   Jesús María Arruti
  Kariem Baraka
Patriziale
2000   Álvaro Salto 268 −16 1 stroke   Michele Reale Patriziale

Notes

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  1. ^ Shortened to 36 holes due to weather.

References

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  1. ^ "Golfing young guns tee off in Ticino". Swissinfo.ch. 3 May 2000.
  2. ^ Kissane, Sinéad (14 June 2007). "Swiss event cancelled". Rte.ie.
  3. ^ "Del Rey in the record books after posting an incredible 58 on the Challenge Tour". Irish Times. 1 October 2021.
  4. ^ Credit Suisse Private Banking Open abandoned
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