9 May 2022
Several great golfers are members of the prestigious Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club
Several great golfers are members of the prestigious Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. After famous players Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott, we find Florian Rey, a player who is from the region and trained by the club, and who stands out not just for his talent, but also for his passion for this demanding sport. If you’re a golf fan as well, follow the guide and he’ll tell you the secrets of an ideal day in his playground in Crans-Montana.
A great start to the day
"Ideally the day starts early in the morning at the driving range. I love the calm atmosphere there in the morning. Some people come to hit a few balls before going to work, others are training for competitions, and a few onlookers are enjoying a coffee on the terrace to start their day.”
The Performance Center area really is a privileged spot on the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club course. Accessible in just a few minutes with the shuttle bus from the Club House, it has about thirty practice stations, an indoor practice area and a magnificent sunny terrace. "By the way, it's also a very nice place for people who don't play golf.”
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Play golf all year round
But for Florian Rey, the Performance Center is above all a state-of-the-art training centre:
"Everything you need for training is here, both physical training and in terms of golf. With a modern and perfectly equipped fitness centre, trackmans and a putting green, everything is in place for me to be able to play golf all year round. I spend hours trying to perfect my long game, my short game, playing famous courses on the trackman, and preparing as well as I can for the competitions ahead.”
A breathtaking scenery
It's a real chance for this young enthusiast, whose training club is the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. Another considerable advantage is the courses. Designed by golfing legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Severiano Ballesteros, the golf club has a 9-hole and an 18-hole course in the heart of the resort. Both courses have very different architecture, one is rather short and narrow, while the other is more long and wide. Although both are very technical and demanding. Another point in common? The breathtaking scenery.
"For me, Ballesteros is quite simply the most beautiful mountain course in the world. All the holes are absolutely spectacular, and it's a real pleasure to play in such an environment."
His favourite hole?
"The 12th. It's the perfect definition of a championship mountain golf hole. The design (a straight dogleg), the different levels of elevation and the variety of the surrounding environment (forest, hilly terrain, a water obstacle) create the hole’s charm. From the tee, there is a magnificent view of the Rhone valley, and from the approach shot you can admire the Bishorn. From a tactical point of view, this is a hole where you have to place your ball intelligently, and which requires precision more than length.”
The highlight of the year: The Omega European Masters
In addition to this, there is the prestige of playing a championship course. Severiano Ballesteros is one of the few golf courses that hosts an annual DP World Tour tournament, and has done so for the past 75 years.
"The Omega European Masters has always been one of the highlights of the year. Since I was a kid, I've been going to this tournament and my eyes glisten when I see pros playing on 'my' course. It's very interesting to watch them live, to see them chat with their caddies, to see how they evolve tactically and emotionally over the four days of the tournament, but above all to be able to admire their golfing technique.”
"On top of this, the Open is a great golfing festival. It's an opportunity to introduce the place and the sport to people who are not necessarily golfers. The exhibition and food stands, the grandstands with incredible views and the very relaxed and friendly atmosphere make it an unforgettable day out." Indeed, as well as bringing together the world's best golfers, the Omega European Masters is much more than just a sporting tournament, it is a thrill for the whole destination at the end of every summer.
Courses in the centre of the destination
For both the professional players who come to the Omega European Masters and for every golfer who plays in Crans-Montana, one of the great advantages is that the courses are in the centre of the destination. "Often golf courses tend to be outside the locality and are therefore quite isolated. Even though I love to finish my day in the Club House for a chat after a round, it's nice to be able to follow on with dinner in a restaurant or one of the other activities in the resort.”
This is an important aspect for this Montana-Village native, who appreciates the variety of activities and leisure facilities in Crans-Montana. After becoming Swiss amateur champion in 2016, Florian Rey concentrated on his studies, gaining a federal diploma as a specialist in finance and accounting. As the club's best player, he would like to intensify his golfing again, so that he can take part in national and team competitions in parallel with his work as an accountant in Crans-Montana. "The great thing about golf is that it’s a sport that accompanies you through every stage of your life. Spending time in nature with friends, as well as the challenge of the game, is something I couldn't do without. Especially here, where everything is so beautiful, and so convenient."
