28th August 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Top 6 confirmed to avoid Stage 1
One of the opportunities given to Alps tour members is to get an exemption to play directly European Tour Q school stage 2. They avoid the tought battle of stage 1 with hundreds of players fighting for a precious qualification.
The Castello di Tolcinasco Open las t week was the last event to count for the top 6 and despite a very interesting finish with France’s Thomas Elissalde to eventually win thanks to 6 under par card, the top 6 remains the same.
Matt Wallace, untouchable leader since he secured a fifth win back to back. Then France’s Victor Perez and Franck Daux, Italy’s Enrico Di Nitto, Stefano Pitoni and another Frenchman, Fabien Marty.
26th August 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Thomas Elissalde sealed third title in Italy
France’s Thomas Elissalde won his third title on Alps Tour thanks to last round 67 in Open Castello di Tolcinasco for -13 total. At second place Niccolo Quintarelli and Erwan Vieilledent is third on his own.
« When I played my practice round, I told myself that the winner this week would be a proper player! At first place it seems quite long to me but eventually with the hot weather and the fair design of the course, I really enjoy it. I am pleased with my behavior because I have played with 2 big hitters, Andrew Cooley, the first 2 rounds and Erwan Vieilledent during last round and I managed to stay focus on my game. »
It was so difficult to come back on Alps Tour after a poor season on Challenge Tour. It hurts. But, this is the proof that when you work hard, eventually, you get paid. This win means a lot to me. »
Elissalde will be close to top 10 of the ranking and he admitted his goal was to enter the top 5 again to go back on Challenge Tour.
Top 6 of the Alps Tour ranking will be announced later in the evening.
25th August 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Kim in the hunt for a maiden win
Italy’s Joon Kim shot back to back 67 in Open Castello di Tolcinasco. He leads the way heading to last round with -10 total, on shot clear of fellow countryman Nicolo Quintarelli. Kim is still in the hunt for his maiden win on Alps Tour.
The weather was perfect again in Pieve Emmanuele, south of Milano but the temperature in the afternoon was close to 40° on the fairways and greens. Kim took advantage of his early start 8:36 to holed 7 birdies. Quintarelli was in morning’s group as well. He played flawless round of 66.
France’s Thomas Elissalde is the third man on the provisional podium. The player from Biarritz signed for 67.
This week is massive as far as results are concerned. Top 6 of Alps Tour ranking will go directly to Stage 2 of European Tour Q School. From 5th to 8th position, all players missed th cut, -2 this week. (Stefano Pitoni, Fabien Marty, Tom Shadbolt, Robin Goger)
Let’s see the opportunities for the players behind :
Léo Lespinasse could take 6th place thanks to second place tie or better. Same chance for Aron Zemmer and Raphaël Marguery but they should finish second on their own or better.
24th August 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Amateur Manzoni soars in Italy
Italy’s amateur Giovanni Manzoni, 17, shot the best score of the day 64, -8 and leads by thre shots over a group of 4 pros, James Sharp, George Twyman, Gregory Molteni and Joon Kim. Manzoni, from Verona, just came back from the Scottish Boys Amateurs where he lost his first match. He took advantage of his knowledge of the course thanks to many Italian Junior amateur Championship played in Pieve Emmanuele.
He decided to come to play in Castello Tolcinasco Open at the very last minute to prepare his next amateur event, the Spanish Boys Amateur next week.
« I played really solid of course but most of all, I putted well. » His coach, Paolo Pustetto was on the bag and he admitted his player was relax and he handled very well the course. « He could have been level par or +2 it was the same. He has been working with a mental coach for a year now and he had good results. »
Manzoni said that playing without any pressure was an help. Even if he still feels the competition, it is not the same as there is nothing at stake.
England’s Tom Shadbolt, 7th at Alps Tour ranking, is four shots back of the lead. He needs a better result than Italy’s Stefano Pitoni and France’s Fabien Marty to climb into the top 6 and then avoid the first stage of European Tour Q School.
The projected cut is -1.
23rd August 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Top 6 to be exempted of European Tour Q School stage 1
Summer break is over for Alps Tour members. This week, the host of the Alps Tour event is the great Golf and Country Club Castello di Tolscinasco. Several Italian Open took place there in Pieve Emmanuele.
The tournament is the last one to count for top 6 (six) of the Alps Tour ranking to get an exemption of Stage 1 of European Tour Q School. This first Stage is a real battle and to avoid the first third of the marathon is priceless.
Alps Tour leader, Matt Wallace won’t loose his position. The current top 4 seems to be safe : Victor Perez, Franck Daux and Enrico Di Nitto. But a pack of seven players are without 4000 points and a win in Italy is 5800. Among the players to be able to grab the previous exemption, three Italians, Stefano Pitoni, 5th, Federico Maccario, 10th and Aron Zemmer 11th.
The course is one of the most beautiful of the season players said and the weather is expected sunny and very hot.
