TEEING OFF IN SWITZERLAND

When the British brought golf to Switzerland in the 1800s, little did they know that the tiny Alpine republic would become the world-class golfing venue it is today. Swiss golf courses can be found perched high in the Alps or on low-lying, lakeside grasslands and invariably feature spectacular views with immaculate greens. Business Mir has selected a list of the best places to tee off in Switzerland this summer.

Photo: © Montreux Golf Club Golf-Club Crans-sur-Sierre Situated on a natural plateau 1500m above the Rhone River Valley with views over the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, Crans Montana is the ultimate Alpine golfing experience. The club hosts the prestigious Omega European Masters Tournament and Crans Montana became home to Europe's first high-altitude, state of the art golf centre in early 2011. Guests can tee off on the 18-hole championship course designed by Severiano Ballesteros or choose one of the club's 3 other courses from early May to late October.Golf-Club Crans-sur-Sierre 3963 Crans-Montana Tel: +41 27 485 97 97 www.golfcrans.ch Omega European Masters Tournament: September 1st – 4th, 2011 Evian Masters Golf Club The legendary Evian Masters Golf Club is situated at the foot of the Alps on the French side of Lake Geneva. Evian hosts the world's largest Ladies' Masters tournament and features an LPGA-accredited training centre, with 8 'training modules' and a challenging 4-hole practice course. The Evian Resort won Best Resort in France 2010 and Best Resort-Spa in France 2010, making it an ideal holiday destination at any time of year.Golf Club Patriziale Ascona Golf Club Patriziale Ascona was voted Best Golf Course in Switzerland in 1999 and is well worth the trip to Switzerland's sunny Ticino region. Founded in 1928, Ascona's golf club boasts a magnificent 18-hole course on the shore of Lake Maggiore and is open year round. The club house features an elegant period restaurant overlooking the 18th hole and is an excellent venue for informal business meetings.Evian Resort 74501 Evian-les-Bains (France) Tel: +33 4 50 26 85 00 www.evianmastersexperience.com Evian Masters Tournament: July 21st – 24th, 2011 Golf Club Patriziale Ascona Golf Club Patriziale Ascona was voted Best Golf Course in Switzerland in 1999 and is well worth the trip to Switzerland's sunny Ticino region. Founded in 1928, Ascona's golf club boasts a magnificent 18-hole course on the shore of Lake Maggiore and is open year round. The club house features an elegant period restaurant overlooking the 18th hole and is an excellent venue for informal business meetings.Golf Club Patriziale Ascona Ascona Via Lido 81 6612 Ascona Tel: +41 91 785 11 77 www.golfascona.ch Montreux Golf Club Montreux Golf Club was inaugurated in 1900 and is one of Switzerland's oldest golf courses. The 18-hole lakeside course was renovated in 2005 by world-famous American architect Ronald Fream and has kept its traditional charm and mature trees. The course is mercifully flat and features stunning greens with views over Lake Geneva and the Alps. Located at under an hour's drive from Gstaad, it's an ideal Ski&Golf destination as – due to the area's temperate micro-climate – Montreux Golf Club is open all year.Montreux Golf Club 54 route d'Evian 1850 Aigle Tel: +41 24 446 46 16 www.golf-hotel-montreux.ch Golf Kyburg Nestled in the rolling hills between Zurich and Winterthur, Golf Kyburg combines breathtaking scenery with excellent facilities for a relaxing day out on the greens. Golf Kyburg features an 18-hole course, a driving range, pitching and putting greens at a handy 20 minute drive from Zurich, making it the ideal golfing venue for business or pleasure from mid-March through late November.Golf Kyburg Rossbergstr. 40 8310 Kemptthal Tel: +41 52 355 06 06 www.golf-kyburg.ch