Cooley defeats Stewart after 5th extra hole

Andrew Cooley, finally ended his Egyptian story after 5th extra hole over Scotland’s Michael Stewart. He won the inaugural Red Sea Ain Bay Open. Italy’s Andrea Maestroni is third and certainly regrets dropping one shot on last hole to miss the play off.
Overnight leader Andrea Rota lost 3 shots on the 4 first holes and at this moment a win seemed impossible to grab. Meanwhile, Stewart who teed off one hour before last group was leading at the club house as he signed for best score of the day, 66 for -7 total. Maestroni was -7 tie with one to play but failed to save par on the 18th.
Italy’s hope rested upon Rota’s shoulders. He holed for birdie on 12th and again on 15th with wonderful 8 meters sunk. He had two holes to play and had to made another birdie to join Cooley and Stewart. He hit the 17th par 5 in two but his 3 putts stunned him. He made the same mistake on last hole and slept to 4th final position.
The final battle took place on the 18th hole, a par 4 with water in play on the right on second shot. Many british players sat next to the green to attend the show and it worth it. Micheal Stewart and Andrew Cooley played more than one extra hour to decide between.
The first two extra holes was without suspense, tee shot, green, 2 putts, next. Then Cooley after third trial hit the green and had 1 meter and half to win as his opponent missed the green and had par. Unfortunately Cooley missed, supporters felt disappointed and started to be impatient. On fourth trial, the both flew over the green and save par. Finally the water played its role of justice of the peace on 5th and last hole. Both players hit their second shot from waste area but Stewart ended in the water hazard and miss the green with fourth shot. Cooley was less then 40cm to the cup and holed for maiden win and become first “Alps Tour Pharaoh”.
“I lead twice last year in the last group and it really helped me today. I stayed calm. I played really solid. It is my maiden win as pro and I am very happy, obviously. Last year was great to improve my level of game.” He was informed that Stewart and him played 5 extra holes. “Five ! Really ? I couldn’t count any more. It was tough, what a day!”

From Sokhna
Text and picture by Agathe Séron

Will Andrea Rota become first Alps Tour Pharaoh

Another sunny and warm day in Ain Sokhna for the second round of the Red Sea Ain Bay Open. The Italian Andrea Rota keeps the lead by one stroke. He scored 71, starting with a bogey and three putts on first hole. “I had a bad start, made a lot of mistakes, three bogeys, only one birdie on par 5. But I’m still leading and I’m very happy. I like the course which is really good. During practice days, I played 36 holes on the first day and 27 holes the day after with fun. I did a good job this winter. Two weeks ago, I played in Kenya on the Challenge Tour and I missed the cut by one even if I played a good game. I also practised with the national team and that helped me. Tomorrow, I have to make another good round without bogeys to win.”
Behind him, with just a point between them, Spain’s Fernando Adarraga and England’s Andrew Cooley are eager. A lot of players will target the victory and among them: the French rookie Edouard Espana and past winners Ross Kellett (Montecchia), Nicolas Joakimides (Normandy).
41 players are qualified for the final round, including one young German amateur who used to practice here, at Sokhna Golf Club with his pro, Christian Arenz.The golf course of Sokhna is in perfect conditions and ready for a new challenge.
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Italy's Andrea Rota leads inaugural Red Sea Ain Bay Open

Italy’s Andrea Rota, fired 66 to lead by one after first round of 2013 Red Sea Ain Bay Open. Scot Michael Stewart, 2011 Walker Cup team mate, and one of the best ever world ranked Scottish amateur, shot 67. Italy’s Lorenzo Guanti and France’s Edouard Espana signed for 68 to keep in touch with the top of the leaderboard.

Alps Tour season started this morning with first of the two inaugural events in Egypt. Guaranteed disorientation for most of the players who have come for the first time to this part of the world. No less than 11 nationalities and 78 players teed off to try to grab the first title of the season.

Rota is not a spring chicken any more on the Alps Tour but still seeking for maiden win. The 27 year old player has finished last season in great shape as he made the cut during the Final Stage of European Tour Q school to earn his right to play on Challenge Tour in 2013. His best results was 3rd place at Alps de Andalucia last June.

The best Egyptian player is 50th tie with first round 75, 4 over par. Ayman Mahmoud is only 2 shots back of the projected cut after one round. He could write a chapter of the Alps Tour becoming the first Egyptian ever to make the cut.

Great names are expected to challenge the leaders. Some Challenge Tour players took advantage free weeks to come and play in Egypt such as England’s Jason Palmer or Scotland’s Ross Kellett. Talented former Team World Cup player Italy’s Andrea Maestroni is one of those as well. Maestroni won the Alps Tour ranking in 2004 and played full season on European Tour in 2005.

Text and picture
By Agathe Séron

Red Sea Ain Bay Open: 3..2..1.. GO!

The first event of the 2013 Alps Tour season will start tomorrow on Tuesday 26th February at Sokhna Golf Club, in the Red Sea – Egypt.
78 players from eleven different nationalities will tee off the Red Sea Ain Bay Open between 07:30 and 12:15. Among the participants, there are three tournaments winners – France’s Xavier Poncelet, Sebastien Gros and Nicolas Joakimides. Note as well the participation of Ross Kellett (Scotland) graduated for the Challenge Tour after his first season last year, Jason Palmer and a new player from Wales, Rhys Enoch who finished 3rd at last Qualifying School.
The golf course of Sokhna is in perfect conditions and ready for a new challenge.

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