Those attending or viewing this week’s Omega European Masters will notice big changes to the Crans-sur-Sierre course in Crans Montana, Switzerland.
SF3m has been expended on changes to the back nine while a further SF 3m has been allocated on changes to the front nine, including a vastly revamped ninth hole with work on the front nine to commence soon after the close of Sunday’s play.
They are the first major changes to the Alpine course since Seve Ballesteros’ controversial redesign of the greens.
The biggest change has already been documented in an earlier story on www.golfbytourmiss.com and that is the structural changes at the par three, 13th that has been turned into a ‘stadium-like’ hole.
The changes have been carried out mainly on the back nine where Scotland’s Ritchie Ramsay will defend his title.
For those teeing off the 10th hole, there is now a water hazard just short of the green that rules out the ‘big hitters’ on the European Tour taking on the green.
The water hazard in front of the 10th green runs off to the left of the hole and right across the 17th fairway and falls into nehw water hazards to the left of the par three, 13th.
The combined new water hazard at 10, 17 and 13 also runs into a new lake in front of the short par four, 12th hole.
The changes to this week’s Euro 2.2m event include:-
4th hole – New fairway bunker
10th hole – New water hazard in front of green.
12th hole – New water hazard to the right and below green. There is also now a severe slope right of the green that if there is a shot right it will roll straight into the water hazard.
13th – Complete new lay out to hole (See earlier story on www.golfbytourmiss.com)
16th – Tree removed from the hole.
17th – Four new trees planted left on the short dog leg. The water from the new hazard at the 10th runs downhill and right across just in front of the green at 17.
And officials at this week’s event indicated there is further changes planned in coming years for the opening nine holes.
* All photographs – copyright www.golfbytourmiss.com
10th Hole – New water hazard in front of green.
10th Hole – View back up the fairway showing new water hazard in front of green.
10th Hole – Water hazard flows left off the 10th fairway and downhill across the par four, 17th.10th
10th Hole – Water hazard flows left and downhill across the par four, 17th.
New stadium like hole at the par three, 13th.
17th Hole – New water hazard running from left of 10th fairway across 17th fairway and draining into new water hazards to the left of the 13th.
Matteo Manassero on the 17th green – Note four new trees on left hand side of the hole, right at the dog leg.
