Jacques Guillet co-leader in France

France’s Jacques Guillet holed three bridies in the last three holes at Allianz Finale de Barbaroux on French tour to co-lead with former Alps Tour member fellow Julien Quesne and Spain’s Agustin Domingo. This last event on French soil is played on 54 holes without cut. The trio is -5 total and a groupof 4 players are 3 shots behind.

180 players entered at Qualifying School in Tuscany

Punta Ala Golf Club and Toscana Golf Club are preparing to receive the 180 players who entered in the 2011 Alps Tour Qualifying School. Nineteen nationalities will attend the competition.

For the First Stage, 65 players on each course will play 36 holes on 10^th & 11^th November and try to qualify for the Final Stage scheduled on 14^th, 15^th & 16^th November. The exact number of qualifying spots will be announced on first round. Entry lists attached.

The Final Stage will be played on 54 holes. A cut after 36 holes will qualify the Top 65 and ties. And the last round will determine the Top 35 and ties which will obtain a full card for the following season on the Alps Tour.

Thanks also to the Cordial Resort – Il Pelagone to welcome all players and staff for all the period.

Cambis second win in a row

Guillaume Cambis was the man on the month. After maiden win last week in France he caught his second title in a row to end his rookie season at the first place on the money list. He teed of this morning with a 3 shot advantage and it was enough to keep the lead despite his last round 76. The effort of the day came from Ireland’s Brendan Mc Carroll who signed for the score of the week tie, 69 to take runner up place. To complete the podium, a group of 4 British players, England’s Farren Keenan, Jason Barnes and Jordan Gibb and Ireland’s Gareth Shaw.

The wind got another invitation for the last round at Golf Club Pevero. It was more regular and less stronger than the day before but still the scores did not go very low. Overnight leader Cambis had a bad first nine. He dropped 5 shots in 8 holes and at this moment, nearest challenger was England’s Jason Barnes only one shot back. But the great Trent Jones golf course is not among those you holed many birdies. Though, Cambis holed for birdy on the 9^th and had 2 strokes advantage over playing partner Jordan Gibb. Gibb hook his tee shot on the 10^th par 3 and this mistake cost him 2 shots. He played well following this but Cambis, without playing wonderful golf, kept his leadership. Everybody seemed to fell almost asleep when the turn of the match could have happened. Cambis drove into the water hazard on the 16^th and missed the green with his approach. On his side Gibb hit the green in 2 and had a great birdy opportunity. The 3 stroke advantage on French side could be reduced to one if… But Cambis holed a wonderful chip and run and Gibb got crucified and putt the wrong side. France’s Guillaume Cambis with this win wrote the final chapter of the 2011 Alps Tour season and made France take the first place of the Alps Tour ranking after 2 years dominated by Italian players.

The Alps Tour is pleased to announced the name of the 6 players graduated for Challenge Tour next year : England’s Chris Paisley, who has already confirmed his full category on Challenge Tour, then France’s Guillaume Cambis, England’s Jason Barnes, Italian Marco Crespi, Scotland’s Scott Henry and England’s Farren Keenan. If one of them make the cut at the Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying school, they will give their spot to followers : 7^th Romain Schneider, 8^th Xavier Poncelet and 9^th Jason Kelly.

From Sardinia, Pevero Golf Club
Agathe Séron

Gone with the wind for Cambis

In the worst windy playable conditions ever seen on the Alps Tour this year, France’s Guillaume Cambis kept the lead of the Sardinia Open presented by Pilsner Urquell. He signed for 75 to agregate level par. On his toes, England’s Jordan Gibb 3 shots behind and Jason Barnes five strokes back. The very tough Trent Jones Pevero golf course did not forgive any mistake at all and players got punished the hard way.

The wind started to blow up to 40 km per with gusts of 60 km per hour early in the morning. Most of the leaders were on front nine when balls began to oscillate on greens. But still, decision was taken to go on. The best score of the day came from young Italian amateur Francesco Motta who shot 74. It is not the first time the Pevero golf course is playing this bad joke to players. In 1978, during Italian Open on European Tour, the leader after 2 rounds was level par as well and the top 40 was +10.

The cut this week is +13, this highest of Alps Tour history. A great battle to mention, Inigo Urquizu arrived at recording with big smile and kept on telling how he scored 5 under par on the last 10 holes to make the cut… Among those who did as well, players at the border of the category 10 of the Challenge Tour, Farren Keenan, Jason Kelly and Xavier Poncelet.

From Sardinia, Pevero Golf Club
Agathe Séron

Amazing Costa Smeralda!

The last event of the year is taken place on one of the most amazing place players and officals ever see. From almost every where on the course, point of view are wonderful: montains, blue sea and smooth light. After morning session, Swiss Nicolas Sulzer and Italian Leonardo Motta lead with 70 -2. One stroke behind, France’s Remi Dupuis.

Alps Tour big names are teeing of in the afternoon. Joined us on Facebook to watch the image gallery.

France's Cambis still in the mood

France’s Guillaume is leading the final event of the Alps Tour season. Last week winner signed for a 69-3 under-par card. At second place, Italian Leonardo Motta and Swiss Nicolas Sulzer. France’s Remi Dupuis shot 71 to be fourth tie with fellows Julien Foret and Jacques Guillet. This group of 6 players are the only ones out of 78 to play under par today.

Despite his good score, young Parisian Cambis was quite suprised to lead after his first round. He had this kind of face leaving last green that shown disapointment. He was really unhappy by his day and admitted after a while that it was not so bad. “I didn’t think I could lead with 69. I missed so many putts of less than 2 meters… Playing in the afternoon is always difficult as far as greens are concerned. Many players walked near the hole and line is not so clean than in the morning. But still, I hit the ball well, I did not miss a tee shot and I was so confident that I hit the driver on the 15^th hole. You can write that, I am sure not so many guys did it today.” The 15^th has a tough tee shot and it is obviously safer to hit an iron to be sure to hit the fairway.

The battle for the Challenge Tour category 10 is really in the air. All the players between Top 6 and Top 10 of the ranking had a look on what others did after 18 holes. France’s Xavier Poncelet did the best so far. The player from Bordeaux who finished 3^rd last week in France is 8^th and needs at least another podium.

The weather conditions were very fair today, 22° C and no wind but the forecast for coming days will add some fun if it can be said so. The wind is going to be strong, 30 km per hour. The projected cut is +4.

From Sardinia, Golf Club Pevero
Agathe Séron

Sardinia Golf Open presented by Pilsner Urquell – Last event of the season

The Alps Tour ends on Pevero Golf Club in Porto Cervo with the Sardinia Golf Open presented by Pilsner Urquell. The tournament, which is also part of the Pilsner Urquell Pro Tour, takes place from Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 October and will be followed by a Pro Am (36 holes) on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23.
The event will allow to determine the final the five ‘cards’ for the Challenge Tour 2012 with category 9. Particularly, three players: the Scot Henry Scott (first in the Open Gosser), Frenchman Romain Schneider (winner in Normandy) and English Farren Keenan (Open to score in the Dolomites), will battle for the fifth and last place.

The Sardinia Golf Open presented by Pilsner Urquell is not only a sporting event but also an occasion to highlight the potential of the Region of Sardinia, which, through its camps and other initiatives, it is proposed as a tourist attraction of quality tourism also supported by incomparable scenic beauty, cultural and historical traditions that not everyone can boast.

The tournament will be present almost all the best elements of both Alps Tour and Pilsner Urquell Pro Tour, including many seasonal winners, guaranteeing a high level technical and competitive. Among the favorites, as well as the players mentioned this, among the Spaniards Carlos Balmaseda and Ignacio Sanchez Palencia, French Guillaume Cambis, winner of the Masters 13 last Sunday, and Julien Foret, German Philipp Mejow, Norwegian Jason Kelly (Zoate Open Milano) and Switzerland’s Nicolas Sulzer. Among the 35 Italians in the field have the credentials to aim for the title Alessio Bruschi, who usually plays in the Challenge Tour, Nicolo Ravano, Andrea Zanini and Cristiano Terragni, who early in the season he was successful in fief of Asti Open.

Champagne for Cambis!

Guillaume Cambis finally managed to grab his first title on Alps Tour by winning the 2011 Masters13. Teeing of the last round with no less than 6 shots advantage, he deal his final round with patience to win by 3 stokes over another Frenchman Romain Bechu. To complete the podium, Xavier Poncelet.

Guillaume Cambis knew it was not his role to make the show today. He already had done this pretty well during first and third round. The key was to stay calm and hold birdy without taking risk. Kind of pressure made him drop a shot on first hole but he recovered enough confidence to erase that mistake on second hole and was -3 for the day after 6 holes.

Behind him, the hunt was on. France’s Romain Bechu was the only one that could have made, if possible, Cambis doubted. Bechu did a wonderful round and signed for a solid 6-under-66 for -8 total. At this moment Cambis was 4 shots ahead and the scoreboard on the 15^th green showed him that he had more than on hand on the trophy.

Once again, pressure seemed to came back or the device got a bug during the 2 following holes. He dropped one shot on each and went back to 2 stroke advantage teeing of the 18th. The tee shot is tough. The pine forest on the right side is very welcoming and out of bounds onf the left comes quick. Guillaume Cambis found the ultimate resource to signed for birdy and finally won his maiden title as professional.

Agathe Séron

Cambis to run after maiden win

France’s Guillaume Cambis proved with great 68 today that overnight score was just a stumble. He easily lead the 2011 Masters13 by 6 shots with -9 and is is as if followers could only prented to collect sweeps. Tough, the young parisian made a double on third hole to go back to -3 but his self-esteem was stronger and he signed for the best score of the day.

At second place, fellows Xavier Poncelet at the border of the Alps Tour top 5 and young amateur Edouard Espana whose coach is famous Olivier Leglise, same man behind European Tour Player Gregory Bourdy.

It was a pretty difficult day for the field and the great course of Pont Royal, Seve Ballesteros designed, once again was full of tricks. Overnight co-leader Laurent Seinger had a really bad day and among his bogeys, he dropped four shots on the short 10^th par 4.

Guillaume Cambis is now on an highway for maiden win. He confessed a few months that this though was haunted him and that he kept on thinking of it. All components are on the table to make this week the one.

Agathe Séron

French connection in Masters13

France’s Guillaume Cambis and fellow Laurent Seinger lead atfer 36 holes with a -5 total. Another french duo is one stroke behind: 2009 winner Dominique Nouailhac and Xavier Poncelet. Romain Bechu is still inthe race with -3 and young amateur Lionel Weber is at 6th place with -2. Big names packed their luggages such as Jason Barnes, Remi Dupuis or Jean-François Remésy.

It was kind of a different story today for overnight leader Guillaume Cambis. No less than 3 double bogeys on his card. He signed for a shy 76 4 over par, 13 shots higher than during first round. The score of the day is held by 2009 winner France’s Dominique Nouailhac. His very solid 66 made him came back. “I really appreciate playing here. I putte really well so that’s it. I am here again.” Beside him, Xavier Poncelet who is still after a final top 5 ranking to play Challenge Tour next year. His main competitor is Romain Schneider and the one with better result this week could pretend to exemption as Farren Keenan missed the cut.

The cut was fixed at +7.

Agathe Séron