IT'S A SWISS!
ROMINGER
BROTHER & SISTER
WIN CHIVAS
SNOW TITLES
European Seniors Tour Order of Merit winner Sam Torrance and supermodel Jodie Kidd, pictured right, added the golf expertise and glamour to the Chivas Snow Golf Championship held in Engadin, St, Moritz.
A record 150 people from over 20 countries took part in the 28th playing of this remarkable event.
In the men’s professional category, Asia Tour rookie and local Swiss professional, Martin Rominger held off last year’s winner, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano from Spain to take the glory and win the Chivas Regal trophy.
Fernandez-Castano made a confident defence of his title with three pars in the opening holes. However, the local favourite came into form, scoring birdies at the fourth, seventh and eighth.
Rominger, 27 strokes for the nine-hole course, eventually beat the Spaniard by three shots.
Former European Tour pro and BBC commentator Paul Eales finished third with 35.
Martin Rominger commented after his victory, “This year was my first time playing the course as a professional but I have played snow golf here many times as an amateur. I got a little more lucky on these whites plus I have home turf advantage."
Sam Torrance, who had to withdraw from the competition on the day due to a hand injury, was an active spectator, cheering on all the participants.
Korean golfer, J M Lee, who shot 28 (gross score), won the men’s open amateur championship.
Keen golfer Jodie Kidd finished with a score of 45 to finish 10th in the women's open championship which was won by Switzerland’s leading amateur, Caroline Rominger, sister of Martin. She had a score of 40 to make it a Rominger family double.
Jodie Kidd said: “I had such a great time at last year’s Chivas Snow Golf, I jumped at the chance to come back again as soon as I got the invite. Snow golf is very different to 'real' golf. Most of the typical rules go out of the window but it’s lovely to do something so fun, unpredictable and different. That’s why I love it.”
Tournament co-ordinator, Claudio Chiogna was delighted with the event, saying, “The conditions have been difficult this year as it has been so warm which can cause problems in getting the course ready in time. However, despite the difficulties, this year we have had the most entries into the tournament that we’ve had in 28 years”.
The Championship was played on a nine-hole snow course, 1800 metres above sea level, at the foot of Piz Bernina mountain in Engadin, St Moritz .
Martin Riley, Marketing Director for Chivas Regal said, “No-one can deny this is golf’s coolest tournament - played in the Alpine snow by celebrities and professionals alike, with the added glitz and glamour of St. Moritz. Snow golf, part of the Chivas Life, is both inspiring and extraordinary and one of those things that everyone should try at least once in their life”.
Sam Torrance said of the event, “I think snow golf is fantastic - a great idea. I’ve played golf in the frost in Scotland but I’ve never seen anything quite like this. Everyone should have a go and try it."