With overseas golf trips back on the agenda, now is the ideal time to visit the wide open spaces and crystal clear air of Switzerland’s Engadine Valley to experience a spectacular Alpine round against a backdrop of majestic mountains and expansive blue skies. Particularly as the Engadine is easily accessible by car from the UK, enabling visitors to throw their clubs in the boot and maintain a socially distanced bubble on their travels to and around the destination, before heading home.
The Kulm Golf St. Moritz par 3 course & the Chesa al Parc terrace
There is no better place to stay than the iconic Kulm Hotel St. Moritz (www.kulm.com) or its sister property Grand Hotel Kronenhof (www.kronenhof.com) in nearby Pontresina, two luxurious grand dames with plenty of public areas and private grounds to relax in after a round at one of the region’s three courses.
Golf has long been associated with the Kulm Hotel, which established its own historic course in 1891, making it one of the first in Switzerland. The 9-hole, par 3 meanders up and down hills, past the Olympia Bob Run and the former Olympic Stadium, through shady pine copses whilst also enjoying superb vistas over Lake St. Moritz, all just a 7 iron from the Kulm Hotel. Built at a height of 1,860 metres (among the highest in Europe), the mountainous layout makes it physically demanding, which makes the post-golf drinks on the terrace of the Chesa al Parc club house taste all the sweeter!
Meanwhile the Engadine Golf Club, the oldest golf club in Switzerland, has two courses – Samedan and Zuoz-Madulain, which are a 10 and 20 minute drive respectively from the Kulm Hotel and Grand Hotel Kronenhof.
In 1893, Samedan was the first 18-hole golf course to open its doors in Switzerland. A classic, parkland course, Samedan is set mainly on the valley floor, though some gently undulating holes and greens give the course a links feel. Its broad fairways are flanked by ancient, giant larch trees, some of which are over 700 years old, whilst a host of water hazards make for a tricky golfing challenge.
Samedan golf course; Zuoz golf course
Zuoz-Madulain (known simply as Zuoz to the locals) opened in 2003 and was designed by the renowned Canadian golf course architect Les Furber. In contrast to the golf course in Samedan, the layout at Zuoz offers a challenging combination of undulating fairways, elevation changes and receptive greens, plus a super attractive setting as it is flanked on one side by natural thick pine forest, which has made it very popular among the golfing community.
Away from the golf courses, visitors can explore the extensive Engadine valley via its hiking routes and mountain bike paths, whilst the numerous lakes provide plenty of opportunities for a range of water sports, such as wild swimming, stand-up paddle boarding and kite surfing. After an active day outdoors, both hotels have large luxurious spas and multiple bars and restaurants in which to enjoy some well-deserved R&R.
The Kulm Hotel’s ‘Golf Break’ package starts from CHF 620 pp sharing a double room, including:
*Tee time bookings to be made upon reservation confirmation.
Reservations can be made by phone on +41 81 836 80 00 or by e-mail on reservations@kulm.com.
Grand Hotel Kronenhof’s ‘Golf - All in One’ package starts from CH 515 pp sharing a double room, including:
Reservations can be made by phone on +41 81 830 30 30 or by e-mail on reservations@kronenhof.com.
The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz will close on 6 September 2020, while Grand Hotel Kronenhof will stay open through the Autumn until 18 October 2020, allowing golfers to also enjoy some spectacular autumn vistas as the larch trees change from green to golden.
