OMEGA EUROPEAN MASTERS
by Karen Guthry
 One of the major tournaments of the PGA European Tour takes place in one of the Swiss Alps’ most beautiful resorts. Overlooking the Matterhorn, Weisshorn and the Mont Blanc, the Plan-Bramois golf course in Crans-sur-Sierre is Switzerland’s finest. Former World number one, Greg Norman, said the Crans-sur-Sierre golf course is ‘By far the most spectacular in the world’.
Recently re-designed by Severiano Ballesteros, the course played host to the world’s golfing elite when the European Masters golf tournament was held between 6 and 9 of September this year. The European Masters is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious golf tournaments, dating back to 1923. It’s one of Switzerland’s most important sporting events and the second largest golf tournament after the British Open.
This year saw a new sponsor, Omega, the world’s biggest watch-making group and Official Timekeeper of the 2001 US PGA Tour. Omega have signed a five-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the European Masters. With its strong links with golf, Omega replaces Canon as title sponsor, thus increasing its presence in the European sports scene.
The change in sponsor attracted two-time US Open winner and current world number four, Ernie Els, to take part in this year’s event. Being Omega’s brand ambassador, Els was to be the Master’s number one draw card, together with some of the world’s top golfers. Along with defending champ, Argentine Eduardo Romero, Lee Westwood was back in action after a recent wrist injury. The 1999 champion and world number ten, Westwood made his third appearance at the tournament. Former champions Craig Stadler of America and Englishman Nick Faldo, were also competing .
The Omega European Masters is a 72-hole stroke event in which150 professionals and 6 amateurs contend. The total prize money was 1’500’000 Euro, of which 250’000 Euro for first prize, 166’660 Euro for second prize, and 93’900 Euro for third prize. To add a little spice to some of the holes, a couple of special prizes were also on offer: a gold ingot in the value of CHF13’000 for hole-in-one (hole no. 3), and a Volvo Cross Country valued at CHF59’400, for hole-in-one (hole no.11).
After a closely fought event, the 2001 Omega European Masters champion was the 31 year old Argentine, Ricardo Gonzalez. The win was Gonzales’ maiden European Tour title, winning by three strokes.
Gonzales is among the new exciting crop of Argentine players on the European Tour. Renowned as a big hitter, Gonzalez started out as a caddie in his hometown of Formosa, before turning professional. Second was the Dane, Soren Hansen with 1985 American champion Craig Stadler, sharing third place with Scot, Gary Orr.
Results after 72 holes: par 71
268 R. Gonzales (65, 67, 68,68)
271 S. Hansen (70, 65, 68, 68)
273 C. Stadler (69, 69, 67, 68)
273 G. Orr (67, 66, 71, 69)
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