19th February 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Elissalde snatches Egyptian trophy
Thomas Elissalde (c) Agathe Séron 2014
France’s Thomas Elissalde won his second Alps Tour title as he finish -9 at Red Sea El Ein Bay Open. In a very windy day, his compatriot Matthieu Pavon is one shot back. Frenchman Léo Lespinasse and Spain’s Juan Antonio Bragulat share third place with -6 total.
Elissalde is one of the 2014 Alps Tour graduates. He was leading since the first round and kept his hands on the trophy until the end.
“It was not windy this morning but in one blink of an eye, it became freezy with strong gusts. The temperature felt around 10° C and it was pretty much like home! Teeing of I just decided to try to do a good round, to be patient and to play my game.”
“I have been working hard this winter on technical points to hit the ball longer from the tee and I was really looking forward to testing it in a tournament to see if I was able to drive this way under pressure. It has worked. As the weather this winter in Biarritz was not that great , I focused on long game and fitness to improve tonic effect in my swing. I hit my driver longer. My irons are still the same but still, driving is important.”
“When I left the 15th green, I saw that Matthieu was tie with me. Unfortunately, I hit a very poor shot on the 16th and there was no chance that I did a par. I holed a nice putt for birdie on the 17th, 5 meters and when I was walking the last fairway, I’ve seen that Mat was -8 so I played my wedge aiming the middle of the green to do par and win.”
“A win is a win and even if Alps Tour is not my circuit anymore, I felt pressure and I am happy I managed to deal with.”
Quotes Agathe Séron
18th February 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Elissalde still on top
Thomas Elissalde (c) Agathe Séron 2014
Thomas Elissalde confirmed his good form and keeps his shoulders one shot higher than his closest fellow competitor, England’s Steven Tiley.
The 22 year old from Biarritz shot 69 today for -10 total after second round of Red Sea El Ein Bay Open. Elissalde, Challenge Tour player this season, won his maiden title in 2014 as a rookie when he lifted the big beer glass Gösser Open trophy.
On his wheels, Englishman Steven Tiley, playing this week thanks to an Alps Tour invitation. The 32 year old player from Royal Cinque Ports golf club in Kent is not a rookie in this part of the world. Tiley won the Egyptian Open in 2009, the oldest Middle East pro event (1921). Tiley best result ever is a 26th place recorded during the 139th Open Championship in Muirfield.
A group of 3 players are 4 shots back of the lead. Alps Tour winner, Matthieu Pavon and Juan Antonio Bragulat and France’s Clément Batut whose best result on Alps Tour is a 9th place last year during this opening event of the season.
The cut felt at +2 and former European Tour players such as Federico Colombo, Andrea Maestroni and Julien Clément did not make it.
17th February 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Elissalde 2 clear
France’s Thomas Elissalde (c) Agathe Séron 2014
France’s Thomas Elissalde did brilliant start in Red Sea El Ein Bay Open. He fired 9 birdies and 2 bogeys to take a two stroke lead over fellow countryman Leo Lespinasse. The two young men, respectively 22 and 20 year old, live in South West of France in Biarritz area.
Elissalde is one of the 6 players graduated last year to play Challenge Tour in 2015. The Egypt Campaign is a good way for him to warm up before his circuit resumes. Weather has been fair despite coolness in the morning.
Léo Lespinasse had a tough first season in 2014 as he had no full category but he played well during Q School in last December and Lespinasse’s goals are higher this year. The young man shot a flawless 67 card. One shot behind, another Frenchman, Clément Batut and England’s Steven Tiley, playing an Alps Tour event for the first time.
16th February 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
2015 season, Day -1
The launch of 2015 Alps Tour season is close and players are ready to tee off the 3rd Red Sea El Ein Bay Open. Who’s going to succeed England’s Steven Brown ?
The field on the banks of the Red Sea is impressive for this first event of the season. No less than 15 Alps Tour winners and four Alps Tour ranking winners are about to play the great course of Jaz Little Venice Soknha Resort.
It has been now three years that the Alps Tour is raising the curtain of the new season in this warm and nice place of the world. Former Alps Tour players come to practice whereas full members already got in mind the final Alps Tour top 5 to play on upper circuit next year. Rookies and experimented players enjoy playing with sun shine, finally.
Last year winner, Englishman Steven Brown scored 66 final round to achieve -10 total. The bets are open for a better score in 2015. At second place, Spain’s Borja Virto, the best graduate as he now got a full categpry on European Tour. Then, third on the podium last year, France’s Clément Berardo, who targets to do better this week.
