European Senior Tour will return to Golf Club Bad Ragaz for the 19th consecutive year from July 3-5, with the long-running Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open renamed the Swiss Seniors Open.
In addition to its new title, the tournament will also have an increased prize fund of €300,000 for 2015 – up €20,000 from last year.
The event was launched in 1997 when it was known as the Credit Swiss Private Banking Seniors Open, before changing its name to the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open in 1999.
In announcing a new two-year term, taking the event to its 20th anniversary, members of the organising committee decided to rename it the Swiss Seniors Open to reflect the international appeal of the tournament, which has been won by Senior Tour stars including three-time champion Carl Mason, Peter Fowler, Paul Wesselingh and 2014 champion Rick Gibson.
Ralph Polligkeit, President of the Organising Committee, said: “This new name is better suited to the event because it is the only Swiss tournament on the European Senior Tour. “Additionally, the tournament’s new name will further highlight the international character of this event.
“By increasing the total prize money to €300,000, we are emphasising the extremely high profile that this event enjoys in the region and among sponsors. Furthermore, this increase is also a sign of appreciation for the Tour and, most importantly, for the players. The professionals play excellent golf for five days in Bad Ragaz and give so much to this event every year that it is important to us to be able to give something back to every player – in addition to our hospitality, of course. By offering more prize money, we are showing our gratitude.”
The winner of the Swiss Seniors Open 2015 will now receive a cheque for €45,000, with the increase in the prize money made possible thanks to sponsors Credit Suisse, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz and Zurich, who have pledged their support for the Swiss Seniors Open for two more years.”
Andy Stubbs, Managing Director of the European Senior Tour, said: “The tournament at Golf Club Bad Ragaz has become one of the most popular events on the Senior Tour and it is always a great pleasure to return to a venue which has built such an esteemed reputation since hosting the event for the first time back in 1997.
“This new agreement to 2016 will extend our relationship into the tournament’s 20th edition, a testament to the commitment and vision of the team at Bad Ragaz, led by Ralph Polligkeit, and will once again provide what is always one of the highlights of the season. Year upon year we have witnessed world-class golf with exceptional scoring at Bad Ragaz, and the warm reception we receive there every year continues to attract Major Champions, Ryder Cup Players and Captains and the cream of the European Senior Tour. We look forward to the Swiss Seniors Open starting a new chapter in the history of European golf.”
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