Crans-sur Sierre Golf Club, Crans-Montana, Switzerland

On Sunday Thomas Bjorn of Denmark won the 2013 Omega European Masters, hosted by the Crans-sur Sierre Golf Club in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. This week's course review showcases this exceptional golf course in one of the world's most exclusive luxury resorts.

Nestled in the Swiss Alps at 5000 feet above sea level, the Crans-sur Sierre Golf Club offers a truly unique experience to any golfer. The course features a Severiano (Seve) Ballesteros layout which pays homage to the great Spanish golfer while challenging visitors to the course with eighteen holes of golf set against the Alpine beauty of Switzerland.

The course at Crans sur-Sierre first opened in 1929, and has attracted some prestigious visitors over there years due to its location in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana. With local residents including the actor Roger Moore and celebrity chef Michel Roux, visitors to the course may just spot a celebrity or two during their visit. Here are some highlights and interesting facts about this unique golf facility.

• The course operates during the fair-weather summer months only, because during the winter months the fairways are snowed-over and act as ski slopes.
• Tree-lined fairways dominate on this Alpine course, testing the accuracy of every golfer. Shorter hitters may be at an advantage on the course, provided that their game is precise.
• The terrain undulates quite dramatically over parts of the course, with slopes being a regular feature of the course. Golfers should expect a fair amount of walking and climbing during a round of golf at Crans-sur Sierre.
• The scenic eighth hole provided the backdrop to the life of a very famous woman – the apartment of actress Sophia Lauren overlooked the eighth green.

Crans-sur Sierre welcomes visitors during the week and on weekends, but advance bookings are absolutely essential. For more information, golfers can visit the club's website.

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