18th September 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Shabolt in bull’s-eye in Costa del Sol
Nobody could have stopped England’s Tom Shadbolt from winning his maiden title today. A 60 meter shot holed followed by a hole in one crucified his closest opponent Santiago Tarrio.
Shadbolt, 28, is among the very solid players on Alps Tour. His best result so far was a 2nd place in Italy in 2014 where he missed by nothing a win. He recorded two runner up places last season and had climbed twice on the third step of the podium in 2016.
But today, the golf saints were English and the player from London was as accurate as a sniper on back to back holes. He first holed a 60 meter shot for eagle on the 13th to go for -6 then he holed his 7 iron shot on the following par 3 for a hole in one and -8. He completed his round with an extra birdie on the 17th to win by a nice margin of three shots over Santigao Tarrio. Nicolas Tacher and David Borda are tie for third place.
His fellow countryman, Matt Wallace, was on of the first on social media to congratulate Shadbolt. With this win, he enters the Alps Tour top 5.
17th September 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Narrow advantage for Tarrio in Costa del Sol
Spain’s Santiago Tarrio, 25, will have a narrow advantage heading to Alps de Costa del Sol final round with -10 total. The young man signed for 69 thanks to 6 birdies and 3 bogeys. There are two men only one shot back, France’s Nicolas Tacher and England’s Tom Shadbolt.
There are only 3 tournaments left to complete the 2016 Alps Tour season. Matt Wallace has already secured his category to play on Challenge Tour next year, at least. The battle behind to grab the 4 spots left is very tight and the final ranking can really move until the last event.
Santiago Tarrio’s best result this season is a 12th place, twice. Nicolas Tacher and Tom Shadbolt were both close to win during the last 12 months but none of them managed to seal a victory.
The 3 men shot under par the first three rounds. Tarrio and Tacher both broke 70. The odds for a new winner to engrave his name on the trophy are high but Thomas Elissalde, winner 3 weeks ago in Italy, is only 3 shots back. The road to be the one to lift the trophy in Spain is wide open.
16th September 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Pastor leads by one heading to the week-end
Spain’s Marcos Pastor took half way lead in Alps Costa del Sol. He signed for back to back 68 to lead by one over fellow countryman Santiago Tarrio.
Pastor tamed the course of Lauro Golf the same way he did during first round but with no mistakes. He managed not to drop any shots during the second round and holed four birdies on 4th, 8th, 12th and 15th holes.
Tarrio had more ups and down with special momentum, a hat trick of birdies from the 13th follow by a dropped shot on 16th. All in all, he had five birdies and 2 bogeys for a three under par card 69.
Frenchmen are chasing the Spanish duo. With -6 total, two shots back of the lead, Nicolas Tacher from Paris. He signed for another 69 following his first one yesterday. Alexandre Widemann and Thomas Elissalde are -5 total. Both are former winners on Alps Tour and their experience could help them to catch up with the best score.
The cut fell at +2.
15th September 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Spanish armada to lead
Spain’s duet took the lead after first round in Alps Costa del Sol. Marcos Pastor and Santiago Tarrio shot 68, -4 for a one shot advantage over a group of 7 players.
There are 3 events left to complete the 2016 Alps Tour season. Matt Wallace secured his category on Challenge Tour next year thanks to five wins in 6 events. But the top 5 is still very opened and a good result could change the picture.
Pastor only played 4 events this season on Alps Tour. He had seven birdies and made 3 birdies. Tarrio holed for 6 birdies and only missed two holes.
If we pay attention to the well ranked players, Franck Daux and Victor Perez had a tough day and they have been beaten by the course, uncompromisingly.
Thomas Elissalde and Stefano Pitoni stayed strong to keep their position. The latter shot -1 and the young Frenchman signed for a 2 under par card. The projected cut after one round is +1.
| Alps Tour Golf
Lauro Golf holds the Alps Costa del Sol
Today starts the Alps Costa del Sol at Laura Golf Resort in Alhaurin. Borja Etchart, defending champion is in good form and will be part of the favourites.
Three of the current Top 5 of the Order of Merit, France’s Victor Perez – winner of the Alps de Las Castillas 2016 – and Franck Daux, and last week winner, Federico Maccario (Italy) will battle for the victory.
Alps Costa del Sol is the penultimate tournament of the season, qualifying for the Grand Final in October. All players are focused to gain or keep points to obtain one of the five cards to the Challenge Tour the next season.
122 players including 53 Spaniards look for a victory or a podium which could change their future. Among the national players, Borja Etchart comments: “I am eager to play here. In recent weeks I played very well and I would love to do well this week. I am very happy to return to Andalusia to compete. Summering in Andalusia since childhood and I feel something special for this land. I have been preparing the season and the goal is to get the European Tour card I had four years ago. Lauro Golf tournament is special for many things. It is the penultimate tournament schedule and there is much at stake. In addition, in August there was a break in the schedule and all the players are well prepared for this final straight.”
Gabriel Canizares, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Jordi Garcia del Moral, Sebastian Garcia, Carlos Rodiles, Javier Ballesteros, the Senior Juan Quiros or Jesus Legarrrea are some of the rivals this week.
The Alps Costa del Sol will distribute 48,000 € of prizes and will count for the World Ranking, as all other Alps Tour events. After the first two rounds, the top 40 and ties will qualify for two other rounds.
This tournament receives the support of the Tourism Office Costa del Sol, Turismo y Deporte Andalucia, the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, the Sports Council and the Royal Federation of Andalusia. Reale, Solan de Cabras an,d Kyocera complete the private sponsorship. Thanks to the promoter, JGolf18 too!
