The Swiss Hickory Open returned in style this year, hosted at Golfclub Lenzerheide, one of Switzerland’s most picturesque mountain courses, in superb weather and playing conditions. The tournament coincided with the club’s 75th anniversary, adding a festive atmosphere to a weekend that brought together hickory golf enthusiasts from Switzerland and beyond, with players traveling in from Germany, Sweden, and England.
Full resultlist here
As ever, Paolo Quirici (Lugano) was in a class of his own, cruising to victory in the Gentlemen’s Brut category with 66 points — a result built on a final round played in 1-under-par, a remarkable feat on hickory clubs. Andreas Ahlm (Gällivare-Malmberget GK, Sweden) took second on 50 points, with Robert Williams (Royal Eastbourne GC) rounding out the podium in third with 43. Williams turned the tables in the Net category, however, topping the Gentlemen’s Net standings with 70 points ahead of Markus Kümmerle (69) and Quirici himself (66).
In the Ladies’ events, Szilvia Kárpáti (HGM) dominated both categories, winning the Brut competition with 25 points and the Net competition with 54 — a commanding double. Silvia Hefti (Alvaneu) and Cornelia Bruderer (Golfcard Migros) filled out the Brut podium, while Susanne Maurer (ASGI) claimed Net silver.
The day’s special prizes went to Szilvia Kárpáti for the Ladies’ Longest Drive, Edwin van Westing for the Gentlemen’s Longest Drive, and Paolo Quirici for Nearest to the Pin — a fitting cap to his outstanding performance.
With low scores, a strong international field, and the club celebrating three-quarters of a century in style, the 2026 edition of the Swiss Hickory Open at Lenzerheide will be remembered as one of the highlights of the hickory golf calendar.
Photos by @eduardmeltzerphotography
