Alps Tour Golf

22nd December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Bradley Bawden Wins 2019 Q School

Malaga (Spain), December 22, 2019 – The sun finally returned to the Costa del Sol allowing the players to finish the 36 holes of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School here at La Cala Resort. And the sun was obviously smiling on Bradley Bawden, the English player from Essex, who held onto his lead from the first round and finished top of the leader-board at -9 (134).

Bawden finished Round 1 at -8 (63) on the America course on Thursday and completed the tournament with a -1 (71) today on the Asia course. He described the fact that it took three days to finish the last round due to the meteorological conditions as “mentally challenging” but explained: “Being from England I’ve got lots of experience with bad weather so its nothing I haven’t seen before. You may get some bad breaks, but you just need to stay positive. Its all about staying strong mentally”.

And Bawden did just that with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine for a par 36 over the first two days of the round when weather conditions were at their worst and three birdies and 2 bogeys on the back nine today for a -1 (35). His win earns him full membership (category 6) for the 2020 Alps Tour.

Just behind him at -8 (135) for the 2 rounds was the Portuguese player, Tomas Bessa Guimaraes. This was his second Q School having finished 80^th last year and having played seven out of the sixteen 2019 Alps Tour tournaments. His final round on the America course started with a +2 (37) as a single and double bogey effectively cancelled out his one birdie of the outward nine. However, he bounded back on the inward nine with three birdies and not a single bogey in sight for a -3 (33).

Three players tied for third position at -6 (137). The former European Tour and Challenge Tour player, Edouard Espana from France, had said his aim was to finish in the top 35 at the Q School. Mission accomplished and we look forward to seeing him back on the Alps Tour in 2020. Alongside him was Ryan Lumsden from Scotland who obviously handled the familiar bad weather conditions with a -4 (67) on the America course for his second round after his -3 (69) on the Asia course. Joining him is the English amateur, Laurie Owen who mirrored his GB compatriot’s results for the two rounds.

Rounding out the top ten finishers were four players tied in sixth position at -6 (137) Daniel Berna Manzanares from Spain, Harrison Woan from England, Augustin Hole from France and Kevin Esteve from Andorra. Whilst at -5 (138) in tenth position were three players, Blaire McKeithen from the USA, Tiago Cruz from Portugal, and Victor Pastor Ruffian from Spain.

The final qualifying score was par (143) with 10 players tied at 32^nd place for a total of 41 achieving their full membership for the coming Alps Tour season, of which 32 are professionals and 9 are amateurs.

The official 2020 Alps Tour season kicks off in Egypt with the Winter Series Ein Bay Open from 18^th to 20^th February followed by the Red Sea Little Venice Open from 23rd to 25th February both at Sokhna Golf Club in Egypt.

Looking forward to another year of great golf from the rising stars on the Alps Tour!

Results Final Stage 2019 Qualifying School: click here

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21st December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Q School Final Stage Reduced To 36 Holes

Malaga (Spain), December 21, 2019 – The exceptionally bad weather conditions continued today for Round 2 of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School here at La Cala Resort. Tee-off was delayed this morning due to the course being water-logged after another night of non-stop rain.

Play finally started at 12:00 but another severe weather front rolled in and play was suspended for the day at 13:18 as the cumulative rainfall made the Asia and America courses unplayable.

As a result, Round 3 of the Qualifying School has been cancelled. Instead, the tournament will be decided over 36 holes.

Tee-off times are planned as of 9:15 tomorrow morning, 22^nd December and if the sunny forecast holds true, players will complete their second round.

Thus, at the conclusion of the 36 holes, the leading 35 players (and those players tied on the final qualifying place score) will be ranked according to score. Players holding these positions will be eligible for membership in Category 6 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season.

Players finishing between the 36th and the 65th position will be eligible for membership in Category 8 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season.

Players between the 66th and the 144th position will be eligible for membership in Category 9 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season.

Results Round 1 and partial Round 2 Final Stage: click here

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20th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Q School Final Stage Round 2 – Weather Disrupts Play

Malaga (Spain), December 20, 2019 – After a night of non-stop rain, the downpour let up to allow play to tee off as planned at 9:15 for Round 2 of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School here at La Cala Resort. However, it was a short respite as the heavens opened again at 11:00 and play was suspended.

Players had to cool their heels until play resumed at 14:45 with a light but steady rain making for less than favourable conditions. The rain gradually increased in intensity until at 16:05 after just over an hour of play, the decision was made to suspend the game due to the water-logged conditions.

The old maxim of ‘the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain’ seemed a bit of a misnomer as over 30mm of rain have fallen in the past 18 hours in this coastal region of Malaga.

Play will resume tomorrow morning at 9:00 with the weather promising overcast skies and some light showers.

Should the weather hold, the players will terminate Round 2 with the different flights having between 8 and 16 holes to finish to complete the 36 holes when the cut of the leading 65 players and those players tied on the final qualifying place score will be made.

Results Round 1 Final Stage: click here

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19th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Q School Final Stage Round 1 Results for Asia and America Courses

Malaga (Spain), December 18, 2019 – The first round of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School teed off at 9:15 this morning under an overcast sky after some light rain during the night. Play started from tees 1 and 10 on both the Asia and America courses at La Cala Resort and the weather held with no rain until the final half hour of play.

At the end of the first 18 holes, four players share the lead at -8. First of the leading scores into the clubhouse was the English player, Bradley Baldwin who played the America course for a 63 (-8). This was his first round on the course having played the Asia course in the First Stage. He noted certain differences in elevations when comparing the two but with no wind and slightly softer greens he had an excellent round with 7 birdies, just one bogey and a final hole eagle.

Next in was Tiago Cruz from Portugal who played on the Asia course where he carded a 64 (-8). Starting with an eagle on the 10^th, a total of 6 birdies and not a single bogey he enjoyed a near perfect round.

Coming in behind him was the Spanish player Victor Pastor Rufian with a 63 (-8) on the America course. The recently turned pro of just 2 months had a series of four birdies in a row on holes 18 through 3 and finished in style with an eagle on the 9^th. He attributed his score in large part to his wedge play and putting.

The fourth of the leaders, Harrison Woan from England, also played the America course for his 63 (-8) score. With seven birdies, one bogey and an eagle, this experienced Alps Tour player is looking to secure his place for the 2020 season.

Just behind the leaders in fifth place at -7 (65) on the Asia course, the Portuguese player, Tomas Bessa Guimaraes had two birdies on the front nine and then started the back nine with an eagle followed by a bogey but followed this with four birdies in a row. Having played a partial season on the Alps Tour this season he is looking to return for a full season next year.

Three players are tied in 6^th position at -6 with the Dutch player, Mike Toorop, coming in on the America course at 65 (-6). He had two top ten wins on the Alps Tour in 2019 out of the just 6 tournaments he participated in. He is joined by The Scottish player, Alistair Thurlow who is participating in his first Alps Tour Qualifying School and who came in at 66 (-6) on the Asia course. Alongside him on the Asia course is Edouard Espana, a former Alps Tour player whose achievements earned him a Challenge Tour card which he hasn’t maintained for the next season. He’s back to try and start a new, full season on the Alps Tour of which he has nothing but good memories.

The consensus among all the players was that both the courses were in excellent condition here at La Cala which made the play extremely pleasant, if challenging and that the resort itself is fantastic.

Round 2 of the Final Stage is scheduled to tee off at 9:15 tomorrow morning. However, a severe weather front is moving into the area with heavy rain and high winds forecast for Friday. Should weather conditions make play impossible, then Round 2 may be pushed back to Saturday and the final round to Sunday. Players will be informed first thing in the morning.

Results First Round Final: click here

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17th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Q School First Stage Final Results for Asia Course

Malaga (Spain), December 17, 2019 – With played completed on the Asia course of La Cala Resort, the final 31 qualifiers for the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School have been confirmed.

Top of the leader board was a clean sweep for France with three amateurs positioned first, second and third. Théo Brizard finished on top with a -7 (137) for his two rounds followed by Oscar Desclaux -5 (139) and Thibault Santigny -4 (140).

A total of 75 players have qualified for the Final Stage; 29 players from the America course and 15 from the Europa course who qualified yesterday and the 31 Asia course qualifiers of today. They join the 66 players with exemptions who automatically qualified directly for the Final Stage to give a field of 144 players.

It is a truly international field that will take to the fairways on Thursday 19^th December with a total of 26 nationalities. The European continent has a strong showing with 31 Spanish, 27 French, 20 Italian and 12 Austrian players whilst the United Kingdom has 18 participants. The countries of origin span the world from New Zealand to North America.

The field of 144 players will all play two rounds; one each on both the Asia and America Courses on 19^th and 20^th December.

After these 36 holes, the field will then be cut to the leading 65 players, and those players tied on the final qualifying place score, who will then play one further round on the Asia course on 21^st December.

At the end of the 54 holes the 35 top scoring players, plus those tied on the final qualifying place score, will be eligible for full membership of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season (Category 6).

Those players who made the cut of 65 and who finish in 36^th to 65^th position will be eligible for membership in Category 8 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season. Whilst those finishing from 66^th to 144^th position will be eligible for Category 9 membership. These last two categories will be reranked mid-season according to their official Money Winnings on the Alps Tour Order of Merit 2020.

Weather conditions for the Final Stage look rather damp with rain forecast from Thursday through Saturday. But that shouldn’t dampen the spirits of the multi-national field of golfers all highly motivated to go out and get their place on the 2020 Alps Tour.

Final Result Asia Course: click here

Entries Final Stage: click here

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16th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Q School First Stage Final Results for America & Europa Courses

Malaga (Spain), December 16, 2019 – A tense finish to the First Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School as play was suspended due to darkness on the Asia course at La Cala Resort. The final results will be confirmed tomorrow after a play-off for the last qualifying spot available plus the first reserve position.

No play-off was necessary on the America course with 29 players in total qualifying for the Final Stage of the Qualifying School. Heading the leader-board was the professional German player, 33-year-old Constantin Schwierz, who carded an impressive -9 (62) for the day to give him a total of -8 (134) for the two rounds following his +1 (72) of the first round. Yesterday’s leaders also came through to qualify. The amateur Thomas Thurloway from England had a par score of 71 today to give him an overall -4 (138) for the 36 holes and sixth place. The Spanish amateur, Inigo Carmona Ybarra, finished in joint ninth position after a +3 (74) today following on from his earlier -4 (67) for an overall -1 (141).

The Europa course produced 15 qualifiers for the Final Stage without the need of a playoff and it was the amateur player, Daniel Hebenstreit from Austria who topped the board at -7 (135) for the two days with a -5 (66) today and a -2 (69) yesterday. Ben Bailey from England who topped the board yesterday dropped down a place to second with a +2 (73) for the day which added to his -5 (66) of the previous round gave him a total -3 (139) and easily secured him a qualification.

On the Asia course yesterday’s leader, Théo Brizard , the amateur French player remained on top with a total of -7 (137) after his rounds of -5 (67) and -2 (70). The official final results will be issued tomorrow, December 17th, on completion of play.

The weather forecast remains clement but light rain showers are possible in the morning.

Final Result First Stage America Course: click here

Final Result First Stage Europa Course: click here

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15th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Q School First Stage Round 1 Results

Malaga (Spain), December 15, 2019 – In near perfect weather conditions with just a slight breeze this morning that gave way to calm conditions later in the day and under blue skies and sunshine, round one of the First Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Malaga, Spain drew to a close with some excellent results from the leaders on each course.

Out on the Europa course Ben Bailey, the 21-year-old English professional golfer, carded a 66 (-5) with 4 birdies and an eagle that more than compensated for his one bogey of the round. Just the top four players shot under par on the course today.

Over on the Asia course, Théo Brizard must have found the climatic conditions similar to his home club of Saint Donat on the French Riviera as he came into the clubhouse with a 67 (-5). The top nine players came in under par.

Whilst on the America course, two amateurs are currently sitting at the top of the leader-board at 67 (-4). Inigo Carmona Ybarra from the widely reputed Real Club la Moraleja in Spain. Joining him is Thomas Thurloway, the 2018 English Amateur Champion from Chartham Golf Club in Sussex . Seven players in total came in under par.

Tomorrow will be the decisive day for the 75 players who make the cut to head on to the Final Stage of the Qualifying School from 19^th to 21^st of December.

Results Europe Round 1: click here

Results America Round 1:click here

Results Asia Round 1:click here

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14th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Q School First Stage Tees Off Tomorrow

Malaga (Spain), December 14, 2019 – This year’s Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Malaga, Spain, sees 181 entrants from 22 different countries vying for one of the 35 places that will give them a full category (category 6) for the Alps Tour 2020 season.

110 professionals and 71 amateurs from across Europe, Asia and the Americas will tee off for the First Stage at 9:15 local time, tomorrow morning, 15^th December. Play will be over 2 days, counting 36 holes on 3 different courses.

The three hillside, championship courses at La Cala Resort are all Cabell Robinson designed with each one posing its own unique challenges.

The oldest of the courses, the Asia Course is a 5925 metre, par 72 with four demanding par 5’s. The course requires precision play especially on the approach shots with several elevated greens and strategically placed greenside bunkers.

Small, elevated greens are also one of the features of the America Course, a 6009 metre, par 72 with five par 5s. Wider fairways make it relatively easier for driving than the Asia Course but the multiple changes in elevation and need for plenty of carry add their own difficulties. The view from the par 3 elevated 16^th tee is breath-taking, with a vista over the whole resort and across the countryside as far as the coast.

The Europa Course, whilst still hilly, has slightly larger greens and flatter topography than its sister courses. The River Ojén wends its way across the course coming into play on eight of the holes and cutting across three of the fairways. The river runs along the right hand side of the signature hole 14 which plays to the maximum limit for a par 3 at 233 metres.

Those players making the cut at the end of the 36 holes will play the Final Stage of the Qualifying School from 19^th to 21^st December over 54 holes on the America and Asia courses.

With the weather forecast promising sunshine, a gentle breeze and temperatures in the mid to high teens, all that remains is to wish all the aspiring golfers, our future rising stars to enjoy their rounds and keep it in the short stuff!

Entries America Course: click here

Entries Asia Course: click here

Entries Europa Course: click here

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11th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

A new cooperation with MENA Tour by Arena starts in 2020

PARIS, December 11: We are pleased to announce a cooperation with the MENA Tour by Arena for the next season, allowing our respective best players to take part in the tournaments on both Tours.

In this agreement, our leading 5 players from the 2019 Alps Tour Final Order of Merit (up to Top 10 and not otherwise exempt) will be eligible to play the full season on the MENA Tour by Arena 2020.

In return, the five top 5 players from the 2020 Journey to Jordan on the MENA Tour (up to Top 15) will earn full playing rights on our Tour for the 2020 season.

Ms Estelle Richard, Chief Executive & Operations Director of the Alps Tour said: “We are delighted to create this new mutually beneficial partnership with the MENA Tour by Arena and we hope it is the foundation stone for more development between our Tours. This cooperation gives more opportunities to our best players to compete on great golf courses with great players and help the MENA talented players to climb up the European ladder.
Since our inception, we have always tried to cooperate with new countries in the MENA region: Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. We have had great experiences in these countries and our desire is to sustain and develop this friendship in the future and help to grow the game of golf.”

David Spencer, Strategic Advisor to MENA Tour by Arena, said: “Collaborations like this are mutually beneficial to both the Tours. Some of the top players can now be rewarded with an extended season of playing competitive golf. They can start on the MENA Tour and play through until the start of winter in Europe on the Alps Tour.
We already have great relationships with the Asian Tour and in Alps Tour, we have found another strong partner.”

The MENA Tour by Arena was established in the UAE in 2011 and has grown over the years to become one of the most exciting development tours in the world. With a minimum prize fund of $75,000 and Official World Golf Ranking points, it offers excellent opportunities for professionals and the top amateurs.

The 2020 season of the MENA Tour starts with two stages of the Qualifying School from January 20 onwards at Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba, Jordan. Registration for the Qualifying Schools are now being accepted on www.menatour.golf.

The Alps Tour, born in 2001, is recognised as a European Satellite Tour allowing its best players to obtain playing rights on the Challenge Tour. A lot of European Tour winners have started or played there, e.g. Victor Perez, Matt Wallace, Guido Migliozzi, Nicolas Colsaerts, Benjamin Hebert, Eddie Pepperell, Mike Lorenzo-Vera…

Sokhna Golf Club near Suez in Egypt will open the 2020 season on the 18th of February. More details soon.

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4th November 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

The Victors of the Alps Tour Order of Merit 2019

After a closely fought Grand Final in Italy on the Terre dei Consoli and Golf Nazionale courses, the top five Alps Tour players on the Order of Merit 2019 earned a place on the Challenge Tour for the 2020 season.

In first place was the Italian player, Edoardo Lipparelli. A rookie on the tour, he played 15 of the 17 tournaments this season, achieving 8 top ten tournaments finishes including winning the Open de Saint Francois Region Guadeloupe in June. Consistency of play would maybe be the keyword to his game with only two tournament finishes over par and a stroke average of 68.87.

His compatriot, the rookie Enrico di Nitto came in second on the OofM. The highlight of his season was winning the Nazionale Open in July. This coupled with 9 top ten finishes over 15 tournaments and a stroke average of 69.24 underlines his determination on the tour.

Frédéric Lacroix from France holds a well-deserved third place after winning three tournaments in his rookie year; the Ein Bay Open in February that opened the 2019 season, the Alps de Las Castillas in May and the Saint-Malo Golf Mixed Open in July. This third victory after 13 tournaments gave Frédéric a place on the Challenge Tour for the remaining 2019 season. His sixth-place finish at the Grand Final and extremely focussed play throughout the season allows him to continue on the Challenge Tour in 2020.

Federico Maccario’s win last week at the Grand Final on his home turf of Italy, secured him fourth place on the OofM. Disappointed by having been a strong contender but having finally lost some of the 17 tournaments he competed in this season, his patience and commitment paid off with an incredibly solid game to give him his rookie victory.

The only non-rookie in the top five, the Austrian player, Timon Baltl’s perseverance finally paid off in this, his third season on the Alps Tour.He savoured his first tournament win on home turf at the Gosser Open in May of this year which contributed to his season-end ticket to the Challenge Tour.

Five rising stars in the world of golf who now move on to the next chapter in their professional careers. A career started on the Alps Tour which has proven to be a successful springboard for launching aspiring, young golfers on the professional European circuit.

Just this weekend at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, Victor Perez came in joint fourth. This follows on from his victory at the prestigious Dunhill Links Championship in September of this year. The French player made his début on the Alps Tour in 2016 where his OofM third place saw him move on to the Challenge Tour in 2017 and at the end of 2018, earn a place on the European Tour.

He is now the highest ranked French golfer at N°57 of the Official World Golf Ranking and rises to number 13 in the Race to Dubai.

Another recent notable former Alps Tour player is Matt Wallace from England who after winning six tournaments on the Alps Tour and the OofM in 2016, moved on to the Challenge Tour in 2017. His performance including winning the Open de Portugal, a dual-ranking event with the main tour, gave him promotion to the European Tour. His 2018 season saw him win three events; the Hero Indian Open, the BMW International Open and Made in Denmark. With a share of fifth at the Nedbank Golf Challenge and tying for second at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship he moved into the top 50 of the OWGR. 2019 has seen him continue to progress with a notable joint third at the PGA Championship Major. He is currently 28^th on the OWGR and 6^th in the Race to Dubai.

Winner of the Portugal Open in October 2019, the English player, Steven Brown, started out on the Alps Tour in 2012, went on to win the OoM in 2014 and moved to the Challenge Tour where he played until 2017. He had a successful season with seven top-ten finishes to finish 12^th on the OoM and earn a place on the European Tour for 2018 which he finished at 97^th on the OoM. A disappointing start to the 2019 season has been compensated by his recent victory plus an 11^th place at the Amundi Open de France.

Two more French players also continue to make their mark. Antoine Rozner gained notoriety in 2019 when he won two back-to-back Challenge Tour events at the start of the season; the Challenge de España and the Prague Golf Challenge the very next week. He started on the Alps Tour in 2017 before his third place on the OofM saw him move on to the Challenge Tour in 2018 . Robin Roussel was on the Alps Tour for the same season as his compatriot where he finished fifth on the OofM. He has had six top 10 finishes this season on the Challenge Tour including victory at the Hauts de France – Pas de Calais Golf Open. They are currently fourth and fifth on the OoM with a European Tour card beckoning.

Other former Alps Tour players can be cited but let’s leave the last word to Frédéric Lacroix, one of this year’s top five OoM when recently interviewed and asked what he thought of the Alps Tour: “It’s underrated. It looks easy from the outside but in the end it’s not. There are good players and you have to play solid to get on top.”

Stay tuned! www.wp-alpstour.ocs-sport.com and the app « Alps Tour Golf » (on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android) will keep you updated on every news about Alps Tour.

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