The European Senior Tour will return to Golf Club Bad Ragaz for the 18th time when the Swiss venue hosts the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open from July 4-6.
Having first staged the tournament in 1997, when Englishman Brian Waites triumphed, Golf Club Bad Ragaz holds the record for the longest unbroken run as a host venue on the Senior Tour.
In recent years it has proved a happy hunting ground for players who have gone on to win the John Jacobs Trophy at the end of the season, with Carl Mason (2007), Peter Fowler (2011) and Paul Wesselingh (2013) lifting both trophies.
Wesselingh’s victory last year was courtesy of a 25ft birdie putt on the third extra hole in a play-off against fellow Englishman Kevin Spurgeon after the pair both finished on nine under par 201.
It was Wesselingh’s second title of the 2013 campaign following his successful defence of the ISPS Handa PGA Seniors Championship, and the 51 year old went on to win twice more to finish the season as Number One on the Senior Tour Order of Merit.
As well as being the longest standing host venue on the Senior Tour, Golf Club Bad Ragaz is also renowned as one of the most picturesque, set against the stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps.
Those dramatic views have inspired some notable performances over the years, with Juan Quiros (2006), Mason (2008) and Angel Fernandez (2011) sharing the course record of 61 at the 6,183 yard, par 70 course.
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “The Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open has been a mainstay on the European Senior Tour for 19 years now, and our players always look forward to returning to the spectacular setting and to the warm welcome they always receive there.
“Paul Wesselingh’s victory last year was the latest chapter in the tournament’s rich history, as he joined a notable list of winners that includes three-time champion Carl Mason, and we are delighted to be returning to Switzerland in July for the next edition of this cherished tournament.”
