Alps Tour: Edito

The Alps TOUR is a non-profit association, established in 2001 by four countries: Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland to give young professionals the opportunity to play and get a better experience of professional tournaments to play the Challenge Tour and the European Tour. It allows also for best players to get a category on Challenge Tour or/as well as exemptions from Stage 1 of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Then, other countries have joined the Alps Tour: Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Morocco and recently Egypt.

In 2017, more than 600 players from 22 different nationalities are expected to take part in the 18 events. The total amount of prize funds reaches approx. 650 thousand euro.

Format of tournaments:
– 120 to 144 players (60% Alps Tour members, 40% national players and invitations)
– 3 or 4 rounds of 18 holes, usually from Thursday to Sunday
– cut after the first two rounds to keep the leading 40 and those tied for 40th place
– minimum prize money 40,000 Euro (3 rounds/ 54 holes) and 45,000 Euro (4 rounds/72 holes).

Mr Marco DURANTE is the President of the Association and of the Board of Directors which comprises all Federations’ representatives of the visited countries. Furthermore, three executive people administer the Tour and run the tournaments.

Alps Tour: History

HISTORY OF SATELLITE TOUR

In 1986 was born the Satellite Tour on the European Tour with Sweden, France and Italy to open their national events to foreign players.

Since 1989, the top players at the end of the season are eligible for European Tour membership the following season. In 1990, the Satellite Circuit is renowned Challenge Tour.

The Challenge Tour grew successfully and became enable to welcome all European players wishing to participate in its events. Consequently, the European Tour decided to create in 2000 a third European division, more regional. Thus were created 4 Circuits Regional:
– one area comprising Great Britain and Ireland: EuroPro Tour
– the second grouping the Scandinavian countries: Nordic League
– the third Central Europe: Pro Golf Tour
and the last, the Alps Tour comprising Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland.
These circuits of the 3rd European division allow to the best 5 players from each of the Tours to be eligible for Challenge Tour membership the following season.

HISTORY OF ALPS TOUR

Established in 2001 by 4 countries: Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland to give young professionals the opportunity to play and get a better experience of professional tournaments to play the Challenge Tour and the European Tour.
It allows also for best players to get a category on Challenge Tour or/as well as exemptions from Stage 1 of the European Tour Qualifying School.

2001 16 events. Top 4 players access to the Challenge Tour the following season.
2002 16 events with minimum prize money of €25,000. 350 young pros are members of the Alps Tour.
2003 19 events with minimum prize money of €27,000. More than 500 international players members. Creation of the official website www.alpstourgolf.com
2004 Challenge Tour recognizes the success of the Alps Tour as well as the level of game as the organization of tournaments. 22 events played. New country visited: Morocco. Minimum prize money: € 30,000  for 3 rounds events and €45,000 for 4 rounds events.
2005 In front of the growing number of requests for participation from players of various nationalities, the Alps Tour Committee decided to open this Tour to all professionals through the organization of a Qualifying School.
2006 The Challenge Tour decides to give the name of “Satellite Tour” to all Third Level Tours.
2007 France takes the management of the Alps Tour, after Italy. Creation of the Alps Tour Golf Association (official organizing body).
2008 Slovenia, Czech Republic and Belgium join Alps Tour.
2009 Spain and Peugeot Loewe Tour join the Alps Tour. First European Satellite Tour Grand Final « Samanah Masters » which gather the Top players of each Satellite Tour.
2010 Alps Tour welcome further international players: 22 nationalities represented.
2011 10th Anniversary
2012 For the first time, the Alps Tour organises “Winter Series” tournaments in Morocco. At the end of the year, the Qualifying School in La Cala Resort welcomes 236 international players.
2013 Egypt joins the Alps Tour with two “Winter Series” events.
2015 Tunisie joins the Alps Tour and for the first time of our history, there is a Grand Final organised in Israel. The Alps Tour is included in the Official World Golf Ranking.

WINNER LIST OF ALPS TOUR ORDER OF MERIT

2001 Stefano Reale (Ita)
2002 Alessandro Napoleoni (Ita)
2003 Emmanuele Lattanzi (Ita)
2004 Andrea Maestroni (Ita)
2005 Cedric Menut (Fra)
2006 François Calmels (Fra)
2007 Julien Quesne (Fra)
2008 Julien Grillon (Fra)
2009 Andrea Perrino (Ita)
2010 Matteo Delpodio (Ita)
2011 Guillaume Cambis (Fra)
2012 Gareth Shaw (N.Ire)
2013 Jason Palmer (Eng)
2014 Nino Bertasio (Ita)
2015 Darius Van Driel (Ned)
2016 Matt Wallace (Eng)
2017 Adria Arnaus (Esp)