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A COUNTRY AS GREEN AS GOLF

The Crans-Montana Golf Club (1500 m)
This is set in a majestic decor, on a plateau overlooking the Rhone valley at an altitude of 1500 metres, facing the Matterhorn and the Mont Blanc, where the golfing pioneers laid out the first course in 1906. Since then, the greens have continued to flourish under the sun and the greatest players have succumbed to the natural beauty of the place. With its four courses, the Crans-Montana Golf Club is a paradise for golfers, from May to October. It can be proud of its famous 18 holes designed by the prestigious Severiano Ballesteros. Spe-cialists have classified this course as one of the most beautiful in the world. It hosts the European Masters every year. The 9-hole "Jack Nicklaus" course also makes it possible for anyone to take up unforgettable challenges in a natural environment. Beginners (without handicap) have access to the "Super-Crans" and "Noas" courses.
Information: 00 41 27 485 97 97.

Sion Golf Club (450 m)
Sion Golf Club, nestling in the hollow of the Rhone valley, on the Grand Champsec plain, enjoys excellent exposure to the sun. This 18-hole course, covering 42 hectares, is domi-nated by Valère and Tourbillon castles. However the flat ground between the Rhone and the Bois de la Borgne, offers some interesting technical difficulties. The designers did not want to include any superfluous or artificial obstacles. Here, the fairways are broad, the greens generous, and the inherent characteristics of the site, such as existing trees, the canal, the traditional mill or the prevailing wind, were all taken into account to offer a unique experience in an authentic setting.
Information: 00 41 27 203 79 00 and www.golfclubsion.ch

Verbier Golf Club (1610-1760 m)
The Esserts course, overlooking the village of Verbier, offers a breathtaking view of the sumptuous Alpine blocks of Combin Le Blanc. From the clubhouse, a bus takes golfers up to the start. The land is terraced down to the village. The 18 holes are interspersed with natural obstacles and traversed by many brooks. Some impressive differences in altitude add still further to the pleasure of play on the Esserts course, making it technically demand-ing and requiring that each stroke be delivered with attentive precision and careful control of the club.
Information: 00 41 27 771 53 and www.verbiergolf.com

Sierre Golf Club (514 m)
This was inaugurated in 1992 and was the first golf course in the Valais to be located on the left bank of the Rhone. It sports 9 holes, bordered to the North by the Rhone dam, to the West by the Poutafontana reservation, to the East by the village of Granges and to the South by that of Grône. The mild climate which characterises the Rhone plain makes it possible to play nine months of the year. The flat terrain offers players of all ages a very relaxing stroll.
Information: 00 41 27 458 49 and www.swissgolfnetwork.ch