When Chasper Lüthi organised the first Autumn Golf Week in 1986, it was initially about solving a very practical problem. “Back then, the season was over by the end of August. The course was in perfect condition – but there was nobody around.” Lüthi, then Director of the Engadine Golf Club, wanted to extend the season and introduce guests to what, for him, remains the most beautiful time of year to play golf.
Around 48 golfers took part in the first edition – locals and a few guests “whom I more or less talked into playing at the clubhouse,” Lüthi recalls with a laugh.
At the time, nobody knew whether the idea would really take off. “The plan was always to do it again. But of course, we had no idea whether it would work.” The answer came quickly: by the third edition, there were already waiting lists.
More than five days of golf
From the very beginning, the week was intended to be more than just a golf tournament. Alongside a practice round and five days of competition, the programme included social evenings and special excursions. “The idea was to show people something different as well and introduce them to the region.”
And there was no shortage of ideas. One prize-giving ceremony, for example, took place during a journey on the Rhaetian Railway: three saloon carriages were reserved and dinner from Zernez was served on board. Other excursions took participants up Corvatsch or Muottas Muragl, to the RhB railway depot or, to mark the opening of the Vereina Tunnel, all the way to Davos.
The sporting format of Autumn Golf Week was also a little different. There were four handicap categories, with the emphasis on gross prizes, supplemented by one net prize in each category. “Exactly the opposite of today,” says Lüthi. The idea was to ensure that it was not always the higher handicappers who won.
He takes the changes that have occurred since then in his stride. “There’s no point longing for the old days. Everything has changed.” Today, many people take up golf later in life – and they, too, should have the chance to win a prize.
Over 40 Engadin autumns, snow was bound to make an appearance sooner or later. Autumn Golf Week has never been cancelled, although on one occasion an early snowfall meant that only nine holes could be played. On the snow-covered greens, golf balls were quickly transformed into snowballs.
A great deal has changed over the course of four decades. “Really, the only things that have remained are the name and the fact that the tournament is played over several rounds,” Lüthi says. If he were to create a tournament today, he would nevertheless try something similar. The biggest challenge, he suspects, would be finding enough sponsors.
Lüthi himself has not missed a single edition. “I think I’m the only one who has kept it up all these years,” he says. And even after 40 years, Autumn Golf Week remains “my favourite tournament”.
That is not only because of the long history he shares with the event. “Autumn is the most beautiful season for playing golf in the Engadin. The colours, the light, the course in perfect condition.” He is equally fond of winter in the Engadin, Lüthi adds – “but unfortunately, there’s no golf.”
It has now been 20 years since Lüthi stepped down as Director of the Club. At first, he admits, he did miss the job. These days, he takes a more relaxed approach: “I don't look too closely at every little detail like back in the days.” Instead, he simply enjoys the golf even more.
And, of course, Chasper Lüthi will once again be on the tee for the 40th Autumn Golf Week.
