16th December 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Albert Venter won Final Stage
South Africa’s Albert Venter wrote his name on the Alps Tour Qualifying School book. He won back to back the first and final stages. This is the first time a player recorded this result. He signed for final round 68, -3 for -12 total.
Federico Zucchetti of Italy and France’s Paul Bariteau shared second place 3 shots further. Zucchetti fired best score of the day tie, 65 and Bariteau recorded a 68 card.
The weather was fresh and windy on La Cala golf course and only players from north of Scotland wore short sleeves.
The overnight leader, Venter did not start the best way his hunt to glory. He dropped one shot on the first hole but he erased his mistake with a 68 meter wedge shot holed on the next hole for eagle. His playing partners did chase him all day long and he admitted he had it was a hard day. »
There are 37 players who got their full category to play on Alps Tour next year. From England, 11, GB&I all together 15. Then the second nations are Spain and France with 6 players qualified. New countries will start on Alps Tour, one player from Israel, Colombia, South Africa and 2 from Sweden.
The season will be launched mid-february with traditional Egypt swing.
15th December 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Venter holds firm in La Cala
South Africa’s Albert Venter holds firm on top of the leaderdoard after round 2 in Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. He shot 70 on Asia course to add to his opening 65. He is -8, two shots clear of France’s Paul Bariteau and England’s Jack Singh Brar.
Bariteau was the first to lead at the club house with -6 while the overnight leader was still on course.
« I am happy with my round. I managed to keep the ball in play and did not make too many mistakes. I played steady and holed a few putts. I have to admit my coach Oliver Serres was really helpful as he is on the bag this week. He helped me with a good strategy to make the birdie on the 18th for example and to play in the wind yesterday. »
Venter had a colorful round, 3 bogeys, 3 birdies and one eagle but eventually a decent score.
« I had a rough start, I dropped a shot on the 11th and the 12th but I managed to get back on 15th and 16th which helped me quite a bit. But unfortunately, I missed a couple of shots on the 17th and 18th so I turned even par. The wind started to pick up and I needed to stay focus on the wind which was interesting. I am very pleased with my round today but for tomorrow, you can not take everything for granted so I am going to play every shot as it comes. »
The cut felt at +5, 75 players were on the right side. The top 35 will get a full category, 6, to play the Alps Tour next season and the followers will have an 8 category.
14th December 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Venter strong in the wind
South Africa’s Albert Venter shot -6 on America course to lead after first day of Q school Final. The 21 year old player won the first stage a couple days ago and kept his momentum going into the final stage. The wind was strong and fresh on Costa del Sol today but he managed to keep the ball in play as he said.
« The course looks alike some in South Africa. It is a bit shorter but it is narrow and you have to keep the ball in play. I am happy to keep on playing well. I have some experience of playing in the wind, in Scotland for example. I played some event on European Tour, (Dunhill Links) but I missed the first stage by one so I am here to play in Europe next year. »
Venter just turned pro 2 months back. He was third at the Amateur ranking in South Africa.
Spain’s Ivan Cantero Gutierrez signed for best score on Asia course with -4. Only one shot back, Italy’s Federico Zucchetti and Scot Clarke Lutton, who both played on Asia course.
The top 65 and ties will make the cut after the second round is completed, the current limit is +4
11th December 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
New countries to lead the first stage
New countries are the face of the leading players during first Stage of Alps Tour Q School. South African, Albert Wenter (picture) won on the Asia course with -10 total, 67/67, 7 shots better than Scot Louis Gaughan. Andreas Tancred of Sweden is one shot further.
Sweden is the flag high on the America course. Sebastian Petersen shot 70/67, -5 total and totally felt comfortable with rain and strong winds of this day on Costa del Sol. On his toes, 3 shots back, a English duo, Tom Hayllard and Steve Jones.
Rain and wind were really the unexpected guests of this second day of the first Stage.
Players qualified got a couple of days to rest and practice. Final Stage to start on Thursday.
10th December 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
The first Stage is on in La Cala
The first stage of Alps Tour Q school is launched and 153 players teed off this morning. On Asia course of La Cala, 81 players tried to tame the great course, South African Albert Venter shot 67 , -5 to lead by two shots over Swiss Alex Messiqua. There are 43 spots to go to Final stage on this course.
On America, they were 71 players and two of them share the lead at -4, Argentina’s Emilio Parodi and French amateur, Romain Vallaeys(picture). There are 38 spots on this course to get to the final Stage.
