Published July 17, 2008 on March 2, 2018

Swiss Seniors Open to be Held in Alliance Pro-Am Format for the First Time in 2018

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True to the old adage that nothing is more constant than change, the President of the Organising Committee, Ralph Polligkeit, has continually developed the Swiss Seniors Open over recent years, giving it a new look and keeping it attractive for players, spectators and sponsors alike. For the 22nd edition of German-speaking Switzerland’s biggest golf event, Polligkeit is now set to introduce a significant change: the tournament’s format is to be changed for the first time in its history.

“The 2018 Swiss Seniors Open is now to be held in Alliance Pro-Am format,” explains Polligkeit. This Pro-Am format will be played out on two of the three tournament days: “The final round on Sunday will as always be contested exclusively by tour professionals. In parallel to the stroke-play tournament played among the professionals, the first two days will also see the scoring of an Alliance Pro-Am event, with each team being comprised of a Tour professional and an amateur player,” says Polligkeit in explaining the new format, which fans are already familiar with from the Pebble Beach Pro-Am (US PGA Tour) and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (European Tour).

The new format has been well received by the sponsors, who with their commitment guarantee the continuation of the Swiss Seniors Open and the prize money of EUR 300,000.

“For the sponsors, this Alliance Pro-Am represents a unique opportunity to provide their clients with a one-of-a-kind experience. All amateur golfers with ambitions in their chosen sport dream of playing in a Tour event,” says Polligkeit, who himself has a low single-figure handicap. In contrast to traditional Pro-Ams – two of which will continue to be played as part of the “preliminary programme” of the 2018 Swiss Seniors Open – the Alliance format offers amateurs the chance to take part in a professional tournament under real Tour conditions.

“The professionals will already be battling it out for prize money and points in the Order of Merit on Friday and Saturday. The laid-back atmosphere of traditional Pro-Ams played on the Tour and the chance to relax and grab a snack enjoyed by the professionals and guests on Wednesday and Thursday will not be part of the agenda on Friday and Saturday,” says Polligkeit.

“In return, good amateurs will have the unique opportunity to compete with the golfing stars under Tour conditions.” The small difference: while the professionals need to qualify via the Tour Order of Merit or via the Qualifying School in order to participate at the 2018 Swiss Seniors Opens, the starting places of the amateurs for the Alliance Pro-Am on 6 and 7 July 2018 can be purchased.