27th February 2024 | Alps Tour Golf
Spanish amateur Jose A. Sintes Navarro wins the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open.
Egypt, February 27th, 2024 – After three days of fabulous golf, Spanish amateur Jose A. Sintes Navarro wins the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open with a total score of 16 under-par. In a three-way tie for 2nd place at 15 under-par: Italy’s Enrico Di Nitto, Spain’s Eduard Rousaud and Austria’s Lukas Lipold.
Another beautiful day with optimal scoring conditions hosted the Final Round of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open which is being held at the gorgeous Sokhna Golf Club near Suez, Egypt. Play began at 8:00 am local time from the 1st and 10thhole and the leaders teed off 9:30 am local time from the 1st hole.
Italy’s Enrico Di Nitto, 31 years old shot a bogey-free final round of 5 under-par, 67 to conclude the tournament in a three-way tie for 2nd place at 15 under-par alongside Spain’s Eduard Rousaud and Austria’s Lukas Lipold. He made 3 birdies on his opening front nine and then added another birdie on the 12th and 18th hole to end his day. Di Nitto is a past winner on the Alps Tour and has achieved good results in the past here in Egypt. After his bogey-free round, he commented on how: “My iron play today was outstanding; however, my short putts were horrible. I missed seven putts under 10-ft and that’s unfortunate otherwise my round would have been even better. For the event next week I plan to work a lot on my short putts within 3 meters so I try and put together even better scores.”
Eduard Rousaud, twenty-three years old from Spain is the second player who concluded the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open in the three-way tie for 2nd place at 15 under-par. During today’s 4 under-par, 68 round, Rousaud made 2 bogeys and 6 birdies. After his round, he commented: “I fell just short from having a chance to win today unfortunately as I made a big mistake on the last hole, I hit a bad wedge shot and bogeyed. Overall, today I must say I didn’t start well but I tried to stay focused on what I could control and I’m very proud of how I stayed in the present and how my putter worked all day. Obviously, now I’m a bit disappointed falling just one shot short, but overall, I’m very happy with how the tournament went. I can say that today my driving was beautiful today, much better than yesterday and my putting was also very solid.” Rousaud added that he plans on, “focusing playing on mainly on the Alps Tour this season and try to do my best and maybe play a few Challenge Tour event if I’m able to get some invites but we will see. Definitely, I will be playing the Alps Tour season and trying to earn as many Order of Merit points as possible.”
Thirty years old, Lukas Lipold from Austria, who turned professional at the end of 2019 is the third player in the three-way tie for 2nd place after the final round of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open. He shot a 3 under-par,67 in today’s final round with 2 bogeys and 5 birdies. Lipold has earned various top finishes over the years but is still looking to earn his 1st victory on the Alps Tour. After his round, Lipold was: “happy with the tournament but I’m unfortunate to be short by just 1 shot. Today was a bit tougher to play to be honest, there was more wind, at times even 2 clubs of wind. Today I didn’t drive the ball so well, so I found myself recovering a lot and didn’t give myself a lot of birdie chances. My putting is still pretty good, and I gave myself a good chance on the last hole but, unfortunately, just missed it. Overall, like I said I’m happy. There are a lot of positive feelings coming from these two weeks. I look forward to continuing to work on what I did prior to these two weeks for hopefully even better results in the tournament to come.”
After the first two events of the season, the Alps Tour Order of Merit rank has France’s Aymeric Laussot in the lead with 7,285.50 points. Spain’s Jose A. Sintes Navarro (am) and Italy’s Edoardo R Lipparelli close out the top three spots. In 4th place, Austria’s Lukas Lipold and in 5th place Spain’s Eduard Rousaud.
Final Round
Jose A. Sintes Navarro (am) winner of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open, earned 6,525 Order of Merit points.
The third and final event of the 2024 Egypt Winter Series, the 2024 New Giza Open will get underway March 1st-3rd at New Giza Golf Club, Cairo, Egypt.
Tournament Promoter-
The 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open appreciates the support of: Sokhna Golf Club, Ein Bay, Hassan Allam Properties, TPC- Touristic Promotion Company, Jaz Hotel Little Venice, and Coca Cola Egypt.
Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).
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26th February 2024 | Alps Tour Golf
Three players are tied for the lead after Round 2 at the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open.
Another beautiful day with sunny skies, a warm temperature, and some moderate winds welcomed the players at Sokhna Golf Club for the 2nd round of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open. Play began at 7:00 am from both the 1st and 10th hole.
Twenty-seven years old, Edoardo R Lipparelli, from Italy, continues his good performance as he is one of the three co-leaders at the end of round 2 at the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open. He shot two fabulous rounds of 6 under-par,66 for a two-day total of 12 under-par. During today’s 6 under-par round, Lipparelli made 3 birdies and 1 bogey on the front nine holes and 6 birdies and 1 bogey on the back nine. He is a past winner on the Alps Tour, won the 2018 Alps Tour Order of Merit, and has collected a number of top 3 finishes over the years. After his strong performance, Lipparelli commented: “today I played really well, it was a good round where I played really solid my shots were all very good and make some important putts. I also hit it very close to the pin on some holes which facilitated making the birdies. Tee to green, my game was overall very solid.” He has been performing well since the beginning of the season, even if he found that “my iron play was slightly more precise than the prior rounds. This makes me happy for sure.” Looking ahead to tomorrow’s final round, Lipparelli plans on “working on my putting a little bit more to make sure it is more consistent, and for my long game I will just keep working on the same aspects to make sure it is tidy throughout the round.” He added that this offseason he focused on “improving my driving and my putting as those were the two aspects that weren’t allowing me to shot low scores so to see the results so early in the season it is gratifying.”
Lukas Lipold, thirty years old from Austria, who turned professional at the end of 2019 is the second player in the three-way tie for 1st place after round 2 of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open. He followed his 3 under-par, 69 opening round with a fabulous bogey-free 9 under-par, 63 to tie the lead ahead of tomorrow’s final round. Lipold has earned various top finishes over the years but is looking to earn his 1st victory on the Alps Tour. After his incredible 9 under-par round, Lipold was satisfied with how “I was very consistent, I was putting very well, and it was a good round from start to finish. I am driving the ball very well this week and that allows me to have a lot of good chances on this course.” He added that he is really “looking forward to the tension tomorrow that is just there when you are in the right position on the final day. I don’t want to change my gameplan, I will try and do the same things I did today and go for it.”
Round 1 leader, Mario Galiano Aguilar, twenty-eight years old from Spain is the third player in the three-way tie for 1st place after round 2 of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open. He followed his fabulous 10 under-par, 62 in round 1 with a 2 under-par, 70 in today’s round where he made 3 birdies and 1 bogey. He has earned several Top 10 finishes on the Alps Tour throughout his playing career but is looking to break through and earn his 1st win on the tour. After his 2-under-par round, Galiano Aguilar commented: “Today was a good result even if it wasn’t as good as yesterday. I have the opportunity to win the tournament tomorrow which is always nice, and I will do my absolute best tomorrow to try and achieve it.” When asked about the difference between his 1st round and today, he explained: “I feel like I could have done better today than what I did but maybe I didn’t push too hard knowing the score I did yesterday. Tomorrow will be a new opportunity, not only for the tournament but also for myself to keep making putts and playing well. I will be focused on myself and try to do my best and see after the round how I finish. I will follow the same gameplan as I did the past two days as it worked well, and hopefully, it will work the same tomorrow.”
France’s Nicolas Muller, twenty-two years old finds himself tied for 4th place with a two-day total of 11 under-par after today’s round. He shot a 5 under-par, 67 in round one and a 6 under-par, 66 round 2. He is continuing his good performance as he tied for 4th place at the first event of the season, the 2024 Ein Bay Open. Muller was happy to comment: “Today was a very good day on and around the green for me, I managed to not make many mistakes with my long game but what really helped me to make a lot of birdies was my putting and chipping.” He added that he found, “a little bit of difference playing in the morning as there is no wind usually for the first 5 or 6 holes and maybe you can be more aggressive with some pin position and create more birdie opportunities.”
England’s twenty-four-year-old Arron Edwards-Hill shot a 5 under-par,67 in today’s 2nd round for a two-day total of 11 under-par and be tied for 4th place ahead of tomorrow’s final round. During today’s round, he made 6 birdies and 1 bogey. This is his first full year of playing as a professional golf player since he turned professional at the end of 2023. After he concluded his 5-under-par round, Edwards-Hill proudly commented: “It puts me in a good position at -11 total going into the last round tomorrow. I played tee to green very solid today. Unfortunately, I had two 3-putts, but I feel like I’m rolling the ball nicely on the greens and staying in the fairways as I’m not being overly aggressive off the tees. My wedge and my iron play feel good so I’m giving myself tons of chances. When asked about heading into tomorrow’s final round so close to the lead, Edwards-Hill explained: “It’s my first year as a professional, so you know, in my second event, to have a chance to put in a good performance is great. I’m looking forward to the challenge for sure.”
Tied for 4th place alongside Muller and Edwards-Hill with a two-day total of 11 under-par you can find: France’s Benjamin Kedochim and Spain’s Eduard Rousaud.
Final Round
A total of 46 players (42 professionals and 4 amateurs) made the cut which was set at 139 (-5).
The Final Round of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open will begin at 8:00 am local time from the 1st and 10th hole. The Final Pairing will tee off at 9:30 am local time from the 1st hole.
The winner of the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open, will earn the winning check of €5,800 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.
Tournament Promoter-
The 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open appreciates the support of: Sokhna Golf Club, Ein Bay, Hassan Allam Properties, TPC- Touristic Promotion Company, Jaz Hotel Little Venice, and Coca Cola Egypt.
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21st February 2024 | Alps Tour Golf
Manfredi Manica moves into the lead after Round 2 at the 2024 Ein Bay Open.
It was another beautiful day for the 2nd round of the 2024 Ein Bay Open being played at stunning Sokhna Golf Club. Play began again at 7:00 am local time with sunny skies and a pleasant temperature. The scoring conditions were more favorable in the morning as the wind that picked up later in the day.
Manfredi Manica from Italy who was tied for 3rd place after round 1, has now moved into the lead after round 2 at the 2024 Ein Bay Open with a fabulous bogey-free 7 under-par,65 round with 5 birdies and 1 eagle. He is 28 years old and represents Castello di Tolcinasco Golf Club. Manica captured his first professional win on the Alps Tour last year at the 2023 Aravell Golf Open by Creand. At the conclusion of his round, he commented on how, “I had a slow start today, I made a birdie on my 2nd hole of the day to get to -5 and then I finally made a long eagle putt on hole 17, my 6thhole of the day to get things going.” Manica added: “I putted well both days, but today, my tee shots were very solid, which allowed me to have better opportunities inside of having to recover.” Most of the players in the field commented that during the day the wind picks up and swirls so you must be careful, Manica mentioned that “the wind was a big part of today’s round. It’s not the same throughout the day as it swirls so you must be careful.” He concluded by saying how he, “obviously I would like to earn as many points as possible to be in the top 5 and remain there for the season to reach my goal to be on the Challenge Tour. Last year I was close, so this year, that is my priority.”
Italy’s Jacopo Vecchi Fossa who was tied for the lead after round 1 is now in 2nd place with a two-day total of 10 under-par. He followed his 6 under-par 66 opening round, with a 4 under-par, 68 where he made 5 birdies and 1 bogey. Vecchi Fossa captured multiple wins on the Alps Tour over the years, as well as winning the 2021 Alps Tour Order of Merit title, which allowed him to earn status on the Challenge Tour. He is 29 years old and currently represents Modena Golf & Country Club. After his round, Vecchi Fossa was pleased with the day, “I’m happy about today’s round, it was a good day. I slightly struggled at the beginning to make some birdies but then as the wind picked up a little bit later than yesterday, it was tougher on the back nine I played better and was able to make some birdies.” He found that: “in the morning it’s chillier but there is less wind. During the afternoon, there is more wind, so it could be an advantage or disadvantage.” Looking at his record, Vecchi Fossa has earned multiple top 5 finishes here at Sokhna Golf Club, he commented: “Sokhna Golf Club is a golf course I believe that if you miss it in the correct spots, you are able to recover and make a good score but if you don’t it’s easy to get penalized. I think that having a good knowledge about the course and knowing it well is an advantage.”
France’s Aymeric Laussot followed his 3 under-par opening round with a 6 under-par, 66 today for a two-day total of 9 under-par and be in 3rd place ahead of tomorrow’s final round. On the front nine he made 1 bogey and 2 birdies. On the back nine he made 5 birdies in 6 holes stretch. Laussot turned professional in May 2023 after he graduated from college. After his round, he commented: “I had a rough start with a 3 putt from 30ft to start my round and I knew it was going to be a tough day as the win picked up and the greens got really firm so thankfully, I trusted the process and things I could control, and it worked well. Tomorrow, there will be more pressure, but I’m playing this week thanks to the Alps Tour and the French Federation, so I want to be present at the moment and not go too far ahead of myself. I will keep doing what I’m doing and I’m thankful for this opportunity.”
Federico Livio from Italy, who represents Golf Club Bergamo l’Albenza, shot a 2 under-par 70 in today’s round for a two-day total of 8 under-par. He finds himself in a two-way tie for 4th place alongside Manuel Morugan. He made 6 birdies and 4 bogeys in today’s round. Livio turned professional in 2020 and is 25 years old. When he completed his round, Livio was overall satisfied even though “I missed a couple more putts and irons today compared to yesterday, which didn’t allow me to make as many birdies as I made yesterday and, unfortunately, a few more bogeys.” He went on to add that he found, “the conditions were different today as there was more wind and early this morning was much chillier.” Livio also added: “To be honest, I didn’t expect to see the results I’m seeing so early in the season in such a short amount of time. I strongly believe that it’s a result of the work I’ve put in with my coaches and a personal change I’ve experienced.” Looking ahead to the final round, Livio plans on: “continuing my routine of shot by shot, hole by hole and I will see where I stand at the end of the 18th hole.”
Spain’s Manuel Morugan, who is in the two-way tie for 4th place alongside Livio, shot a bogey-free 4 under-par,68 for a two-day total of 8 under-par. He is 33 years old, represents RCG Guadalhorces, and won his first title on the Alps Tour at the 2022 Abruzzo Alps Open.
As we are promptly awaiting the first tee shot at the 2024 Ein Bay Open to get the 2024 season underway, we wanted to wish all the players the best of luck for this new and exciting golf season.
Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).
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20th February 2024 | Alps Tour Golf
Two Italians are in the lead at -6 after Round 1 at the 2024 Ein Bay Open.
Egypt, February 20th, 2024– After round 1 of the season-opening event, the 2024 Ein Bay Open, we have a packed leaderboard. Co-leading at 6 under-par Italy’s Federico Livio and Jacopo Vecchi Fossa. There is an 8-way tie for 3rdplace at 4 under-par.
The first round of the 2024 Ein Bay Open, being played at Sokhna Golf Club in Suez, Egypt, began with pleasant weather conditions. It was a sunny day with some light winds and temperatures that reached a high of around 20°C. Play started from the 1st and 11th hole at 7:00 am local time for the morning wave and at 11:20 am local time for the afternoon wave. The forecast for the remainder of the week is expected to be similar to today’s round. Therefore, players are able to compete with perfect scoring conditions for the season-opening event.
Round 1 Player Quotes
Italy’s Federico Livio, who currently represents Golf Club Bergamo l’Albenza co-leads at the conclusion of the 1st round of the 2024 Ein Bay Open. He shot a 6 under-par 66 round today with 2 bogeys and 8 birdies. Livio is 25 years old and turned professional in 2020. After his round, he was pleased, “Today was good, I played well since the beginning of the round except for the two bogeys. Overall, I’m very pleased with how today went. During the off-season, I decided to change my long-game coach, and I’m now working with Massimo Scarpa. We worked a lot on my long game, but I made sure my short game wasn’t overlooked. I kept working with my putting coach, Camilla Mazzola, on what we had planned to make sure it stayed sharp. He added, “Over the next two rounds, I plan on doing like I did today, focus shot by shot and hole by hole to be able to put together two more good scores and have a chance at the top.” One of Livio’s goals for the 2024 season is to “conclude the year in the top 5 of the Order of Merit rank so I can earn one of the 5 Challenge Tour cards.”
Jacopo Vecchi Fossa from Italy who has multiple wins on the Alps Tour in addition to having captured the 2021 Alps Order of Merit title, finds himself in the lead alongside Livio after round 1 of the 2024 Ein Bay Open. During today’s opening round, he made 7 birdies and 1 bogey. Vecchi Fossa is 29 years old and currently represents Modena Golf & Country Club. After his 6 under-par, he pointed out on how, “I didn’t play very well today, I struggled a little bit to find the center of the clubface, but I know this course very well, I’ve played here numerous times and I’m aware of the critical spots of this golf course. Today I was able to miss in the right spots when I missed a shot, and the good shots came on the good holes.” Vecchi Fossa also specified that, “this offseason I really focused a lot on going on the golf course and finding my rhythm and really spending as much time as possible on the golf course.” He captured various title on the Alps Tour, however “adding another win would be great, I’ve earned numerous titles throughout my career but starting the season with a win is definitely a goal of mine.”
A past winner on the Alps Tour, Spain’s Manuel Morugan is one of the 8 players tied for 3rd place at 4 under-par making 5 birdies and 1 bogey throughout his day. He is 33 years old, represents RCG Guadalhorces, and won his first title on the Alps Tour at the 2022 Abruzzo Alps Open. After his round, Morugan commented on how today, “I played so so, it was a bit of up and downs like a rollercoaster. However, I believe the good thing was that my misses weren’t big misses. My recovery shots were very good, so that was also the key for today’s round. Overall, I’m happy with how today went, I didn’t play my best, but it is a good sign of where my game is at.” He went on to add “I never focus on the win, the win is there but I know to win I have to do things very well, so I need and will keep focusing on my process and routines. I’m looking forward to the next 2 days, it’s a long race!”
Tied for 3rd place alongside Manuel Morugan at 4 under-par there is: Italy’s Manfredi Manica and Filippo Bergamaschi, Scotland’s Rory Franssen, Netherland’s Bob Geurts and France’s Arthur Ameil-Planchin, Antoine Santarelli and Gregoire Luck.
The 120 players are competing for an overall prize fund of €40.000 and 45,000 Order of Merit points. The winner of the 2024 Ein Bay Open will earn €5,800 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.
Round 2
The second round of the 2024 Ein Bay Open will begin again at 7:00 am local time from the 1st and 11th hole. After round 2, a cut will be made to the top 40 players and ties.
Italy’s Federico Livio will begin round 2 at 7:10 am local time from the 11th hole and his fellow countryman Jacopo Vecchi Fossa will begin his 2nd round at 7:40 am local time from the 1st hole.
Tournament Promoter
The 2024 Ein Bay Open, as well as the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open, appreciate the support of Sokhna Golf Club, Ein Bay, Hassan Allam Properties, TPC- Touristic Promotion Company, Jaz Hotel Little Venice, and Coca-Cola Egypt.
As we are promptly awaiting the first tee shot at the 2024 Ein Bay Open to get the 2024 season underway, we wanted to wish all the players the best of luck for this new and exciting golf season.
Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).
#risinggolfstars
#raisinggolfstars
19th February 2024 | Alps Tour Golf
The 2024 Winter Series in Egypt gets the 2024 season started.
Egypt, February 18th, 2024 – Since 2022, the new Alps Tour season gets underway in Egypt with three events that make up the 2024 Winter Series.
The first two events of the 2024 Winter Series will be played on two different courses at the magnificent Sokhna Golf Club in Suez. The first tournament, the 2024 Ein Bay Open, will be played February 20th– 22nd on courses A&B. Only 3 days later, the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open will get underway February 25th– 27th on courses B&C.
The Field
An exceptional field is expected for the first two events of the 2024 Winter Series as players are eager to start the season and chase their ultimate goal on the Alps Tour, which is to earn one of the coveted 2025 Challenge Tour cards that are up for grabs.
Jose Manuel Pardo Benitez, Manfredi Manica, Gianmaria Rean Trinchero, and Augustin Holé, who all won on the Alps Tour during the 2023 season, will be in the field during both tournaments. Also, the 2021 Order of Merit winner, Italy’s Jacopo Vecchi Fossa will be competing.
Last year, England’s Jack Floydd won the 2023 Ein Bay Open with a score of 17 under-par. He won’t be in the field this week to defend his title as he earned playing status on the Challenge Tour. The 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open title was captured by Spain’s Quim Vidal in a sudden-death play-off. Like Floydd, he will not be in the field as he qualified for the major tours.
Among the 120 players competing at the first two tournaments of the 2024 Winter Series, approximately 23 worldwide countries will be represented. The field is made up of 13 amateur players and 107 professional players.
On Friday 23rd February, our traditional best ball aggregate to par shotgun pro-am will take place on courses B&C at Sokhna Golf Club with approximately 30 teams participating.
At the 2024 Ein Bay Open and the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open, there will be 120 players competing in each field for a prize fund of €40,000 and 45,000 Order of Merit points. The winner of each tournament will earn €5,800 and 6,525 Order of Merit points. Both events will be played as 54 holes stroke play tournaments where a cut will be made after 36 holes.
To view the most up-to-date entry list for the 1st event of the season, click here.
The Course
The first two events of the 2024 Winter Series, the 2024 Ein Bay Open and the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open, will be hosted at Sokhna Golf Club in Ain Sokhna, Egypt, which is home to 27 holes of golf. This golf club has hosted Alps Tour events for more than 10 years, allowing it to become a point of reference on the Alps Tour schedule.
The players competing for the 2024 Ein Bay Open title will play on courses A&B as a 6968 meters par 72, while for the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open players will compete on courses B&C as a 6670 meters par 72.
Sokhna Golf Club is a joint venture between the Little Venice Golf Resort, which is part of Hassan Allam Properties, and El Ein Bay, which is owned by Galalah Touristic Investments Company. They joined their forces to create a “real first-class golfing destination” in Ain Sokhna.
Sokhna Golf Club is located alongside the shores of the Gulf of Suez and was designed by John Sanford & Tim Lobb. The courses were built with gently undulating fairways and well-placed water and sand traps. All the courses are known for their technical difficulties and are located near the shores; therefore, players could face strong winds throughout the week.
Tournament Promoter
The 2024 Ein Bay Open, as well as the 2024 Red Sea Little Venice Open, appreciate the support of Sokhna Golf Club, Ein Bay, Hassan Allam Properties, TPC- Touristic Promotion Company, Jaz Hotel Little Venice, and Coca-Cola Egypt.
As we are promptly awaiting the first tee shot at the 2024 Ein Bay Open to get the 2024 season underway, we wanted to wish all the players the best of luck for this new and exciting golf season.
Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).
#risinggolfstars
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17th February 2023 | Alps Tour Golf
The 2023 Alps Tour season gets underway in Egypt!
Pre-Tournament Notes
Sokhna Golf Club
Suez, Egypt
21st – 23rd February 2023 and 26th – 28th February
Alps Tour Media Contact: [email protected]
Quick Links
Tournament Entries for 2023 Ein Bay Open
Tournament Entries for 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open
The 2023 Alps Tour season gets underway in Egypt.
Egypt, February 17th 2023 – The 2023 Alps Tour season will begin in Egypt with back-to-back events which enclose the 2023 Egypt Winter Series. Both events will be played on two different courses at the beautiful Sokhna Golf Club in Ain Sokhna. The first tournament, 2023 Ein Bay Open, will be played from February 21st until February 23rd on courses B&C. Only 3 days later, the 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open will get underway from February 26th until February 28th on courses A&B.
The Field –
A riveting start to the 2023 season is expected as players are eager to begin the season in their chase for the 2024 Challenge Tour cards.
Last year Stefano Mazzoli won the 2022 Ein Bay Open with a score of 14 under-par. This year, he won’t be in the field defending his title as he earned playing status of the major tours. The 2022 Red Sea Little Venice Open was won by Oihan Guillamoundeguy as an amateur with an incredible score of 24 under-par. He will be defending his title as a professional player from February 26th until February 28th.
Approximately 22 different nations are represented among the players competing at both tournaments during the 2023 Egypt Winter Series. The host country will be well represented by three professionals competing each week. At the Ein Bay Open there will be: Maged Abdel Tawab, Selim El Ebiary and Ahmed W Naim. While at the Red Sea Little Venice Open there will be: Abdel Monem El Shafei, Ahmed Moslhey and Ahmed W Naim.
For each event in the 2023 Egypt Winter Series, there will be 120 players competing for a prize fund of €40,000 and 45,000 Order of Merit points. The winner of each tournament will earn €5,800 and 6,525 Order of Merit points. Both events will be played as 54 holes stroke play tournaments where a cut will be made after 36 holes to the top 40 players and ties.
The Course-
The venue for both events, Sokhna Golf Club in Ain Sokhna, Egypt is home to 27 holes of golf. The golf club has hosted Alps Tour events for the past 10 years now and therefore has become a point of reference for players. The 2023 Ein Bay Open players will compete on courses B&C as a 7296 yards par 72, while for the 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open players will compete on courses A&B as a 7620 yards par 72.
The courses are located along the shores of the Gulf of Suez and were designed by John Sanford & Tim Lobb. They were built with gently undulating fairways and well-placed water and sand traps. The courses are known for their technical difficulties being located near the shores. With that being said, the players could face strong winds.
Sokhna Golf Club is a joint venture between the Little Venice Golf Resort which is part of Hassan Allam Properties and El Ein Bay owned by Galalah Touristic Investments Company. They joined to create a “real first-class golfing destination” in Ain Sokhna.
Tournament Promoter-
Both the 2023 Ein Bay Open and the 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open are grateful for the support of: Sokhna Golf Club, Ein Bay, Hassan Allam Properties, TPC- Touristic Promotion Company, Jaz Hotel Little Venice and Coca Cola Egypt.
While we are eagerly awaiting the first tee shot on February 21st to get the 2023 season started, we wanted to wish all the players the best of luck this season.
Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).
#risinggolfstars
#raisinggolfstars
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23rd February 2022 | Alps Tour Golf
Ein Bay Open 2022 – 5 way-tie at Sokhna Golf Club after second round
February 23, Egypt, 2022 – It was another lovely day along the shores of Gulf of Suez.
The course, after yesterday’s heat and light winds, got a little bit dryer and harder. The 120 partecipants had to re-adapt their game to make the cut.
Co-leading the field, with a brilliant -10, Italians Gregorio De Leo (68) and Stefano Mazzoli (65), Frenchman Pierre Pineau (69), Englishman Jack Floydd (68), Dutch Davey Porsius (64) .
In particular, Davey Porsius and Stefano Mazzoli scored an impressive round today which took them to the top of the leaderboard. The Dutchman, 26 years old, who was in 35th place after the first day, scored a fabulous 64 (-8) while Mazzoli, 25, scored a bogey free round with 5 birdies and 1 eagle.
Some great results also came from the amateurs. The French Julien Sale and the two compatriots Martin Couvra (the winner of the 2022 Qualifying School) and Tom Vaillant are just three shots behind the leaders tied with a total score of -7. The other amateurs who made the cut are the Italian Flavio Michetti and the French Oihan Guillamoundeguy currently in 26th and in 40th place respectively.
Among the 53 players who made the cut at -1, 10 nationalities are represented: 16 Italians, 13 French, 8 Spanish, 4 Irish, 3 English, 2 Dutch, 2 Austrians, 2 Portuguese, 1 from Switzerland and 1 from South Africa.
Today the course was bit easier than yesterday: 421 birdies (13 more than yesterday) 1293 par (9 more than yesterday) and 328 bogeys (26 less than yesterday).
“Even if I’m struggling a little bit with my driver off the tee – said Porsius – I hit a lot of good shots with my wedges and this gave me the chances to nail a lot of putters. Fortunately I had a couple of good bounces with my tee shots and if you’re near the fairway you have plenty of possibilities to attack the course. I was a little frustrated the first holes because I three-putted twice but then on the back nine I holed almost everything”.
“Conditions were basically the same as yesterday. Unfortunately on the first day I ended up loosing 3 shots on the greens and today on the front nine I had the same feeling. From the 10th hole, however, my game changed and I managed to hole an eagle and many birdies” said Mazzoli.
Jack Floydd, 25, who was tied at the second place after day 1, said: “It was pretty a solid day for me today. I played very well on the front nine. I converted earlier some birdies but I missed a couple of putters on the back nine which were a bit tougher. I had a good pace on the green which are in perfect conditions. We’re very lucky to be able to play in such a course”. Today he scored a solid 68 (5 birdies-1 bogey).
“I had a tough start because I had to save 4 important par and I got a bogey on the fourth. When I holed a very difficult putt downhill on 6th hole my round suddenly changed and I had a good pace on the green for the rest of the day. I really enjoy this kind of golf course even if I don’t have the real opportunity to prepare myself to this game. The course is in great shape” said Gregorio De Leo, 21, at his second appearance at the Ein Bay Open.
“I missed few birdies opportunities today but I had a solid start. I’m very happy with my long game today, just need a few more putts tomorrow. I hit an incredible hybrid shot on 8th from west area to 3 feet for eagle”, is Pierre Pineau‘s quote.
The 2022 Ein Bay Open enjoys the support of Sokhna Golf Club, Ein Bay, Hassan Allam Properties, TPC – Touristic Promotion Company, Jaz Hotel Little Venice.
Results Round 2: click here or check on the Alps Tour Golf app.
Stay tuned! www.alpstourgolf.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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19th May 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Ein Bay Open, Keunen and Hidalgo share first round lead
The higher temperatures – compared to what players were used to in February, the ever-present sea breeze and a course in pristine conditions, led to some brilliant scores after the first round of the Ein Bay Open here at Sokhna Golf Club, on the North shores of the Red Sea in Egypt. Two players are sharing the first-round lead at 64 (-8), Spaniard Angel Hidalgo Portillo and Dutchman Lars Keunen, followed by Italian Cristiano Terragni only one stroke back, at 65 (-7), and Frenchman Frank Medale sits on 4th place at 66 (-6).
56 players returned an under-par card, and among them is the ranking leader Jacopo Vecchi Fossa, T9 at 68 (-4) as well as compatriot Italian Stefano Mazzoli, while Paul Margolis is T47, in the mix at 71 (-1).
The defending champion Lars Keunen, 24, started off on the right foot with an eagle 2 on the first hole, then stumbled on the only bogey of the day and went on with 7 more birdies for a final 64 (-8). “I had a good day today, I’ve tried to keep the ball in play from the tee, as you have plenty of waste areas on this course, and my wedges worked pretty good, as well as the putting”, said the Dutchman who had finished on 7th position in the 2020 Order of Merit and is now playing in his 4th season on the Alps Tour. “The course is in great shape, the weather is a lot warmer than it was last year in February but it’s doable, just drink a lot of water and you should be fine. I guess it is a course that suits my game, seeing what happened last time! Today I got lots of chances and I took them”.
A similar beautiful round for the co-leader Angel Hidalgo Portillo, 23, who started off hole 10 and had four birdies on the back nine and five birdies and one bogey from hole 1-9: “My drives were not the best part of my game today, I’ve been a little inconsistent, but on the contrary my irons were good and especially my putting was really solid. The greens are quite difficult because of the kind of grass, but I have managed to read them well. It’s the first time I play so well this course actually, in my previous tournaments here I had missed the cut twice so I am really happy that I’ve started so well this time and I really hope that the rest of the week will be as successful!”.
The weather forecasts remain dry, sunny and breezy with temperatures on the rise to about 35°.
For the 1st round results, click here or check the Alps Tour Golf app.
25th February 2020 | Alps Tour Golf
Mazzoli Wins Final Play Off
Suez (Egypt), February 25, 2020 – The final day of play here at Sokhna Golf Club proved to be a real humdinger with the players really battling it out right down to the line. Stefano Mazzoli, the rookie Italian player, finally walked away with the victory after a one-hole play-off finishing the 54 holes with a 201 (-15).
The three-man play-off was between Mazzoli, Jonathan Yates from Ireland and yesterday’s leader, Sam Robinson from England.
Yates was first into the clubhouse. With five birdies, two pars and two bogeys, he made the turn at -13. A fault-free back nine saw him hole a brace of birdies and seven pars to finish at -5 (67) for the day and 201 (-15) overall and move to the top of the leader board.
In the flight just behind him, Mazzoli teed off the day on -11. It was plain sailing for par until hole 4 when his ball found the water on the left. He carded a double bogey to drop to -9. His hattrick of birdies on the last three holes of the front nine saw him at -12 on the tenth tee. Another four birdies and a single bogey saw him finish at -4 (68) and tied at 201 (-15) to force a play-off with Yates.
But Sam Robinson had not had his last say and had yet to finish. Starting at -14, Robinson had a shaky start to the day with two pars and two bogeys on the first four holes. He settled down to finish the front nine with two birdies and three pars for a par 36. On the back nine he produced another single bogey, but two more birdies saw him finish at -1 (71) to total 201 (-15) and join the play off.
The three players returned to the par 4, hole 18 tee for the face-off. Yates hit a good tee shot and landed on the fairway 53m from the green. Mazzoli had a great drive to finish on the fairway just 15m from the green. Robinson’s ball went AWOL landing in waste area to the left of the fairway, in a hole, to boot.
A fluffed shot by Yates put his ball behind the green almost toying with OB. Mazzoli chipped his ball to 3m of the hole for two on. Robinson’s recovery shot saw him finding the sand in one of the deep greenside bunkers.
Yates chipped on for three at 6 metres from the hole. Robinson’s bunker shot put him three on and 1m from the hole. Yate’s didn’t sink his fourth shot and it was given. Mazzoli lined up his putt, tapped the ball and holed out to win the trophy.
After his victory he expressed his satisfaction at this, his first professional win:
“I’m really happy with the result as it’s been a long journey. I only started playing pro in November last year. The day didn’t start as I had hoped with a double bogey on the fourth, so everything was all uphill from there. In the play-off, I took a chance and played my driver instead of an iron off the tee and it paid off.”.
The other most notable round of today was that of Giulio Castagnara from Italy. He had been leading at the end of round one but a disappointing second round had pushed him back to -7 at the start of play today. Today he performed a terrific remontada with eight birdies to finish in fourth place at 202 (-14). His sole bogey of the round on the last hole prevented us from having a four-way play-off!
At the end of today’s play, Sam Robinson moves to the top of the Order of Merit after his two consecutive second places of the season. Stefano Mazzoli’s win today puts him in second place just ahead of Lars Keunen, winner of the Ein Bay Open.
The Alps Tour returns to Egypt for the next tournament of the Winter Series, the Allegria Open from March 19th to 21st at the Allegria Golf Club on the outskirts of Cairo. Join us there for the next leg of the 2020 season.
Results: click here
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24th February 2020 | Alps Tour Golf
Consistent Robinson Moves to First
Suez (Egypt), February 24, 2020 – After another round of solid play, the English player, Sam Robinson, moved to the top of the leader board at 130 (-14) after the second round of the Red Sea Little Venice Open at Sokhna Golf Club.
Two consecutive rounds of -7 (65) saw Robinson move from yesterday’s joint second place to first position and looking forward to tomorrow’s final round:
“Two consistent rounds. I pitched it great, chipped it great and putted great. Tee to green perhaps not my best by far but I’ve managed the game well and fortunately hit it in the right place and missed in the right place. It’s fantastic to be back playing again.”
Robinson, an experienced professional golfer, has been absent from the Alps Tour full-time since 2010 which he jokingly referred to as a “ten-year sabbatical”. A back injury and surgery in 2012 along with a new daughter kept him in the UK where he taught and played some tournaments. Back to playing full-time since August 2019, his season is off to a great start with a second position at last week’s Ein Bay Open and then, today’s leader board position.
Robinson teed off from the 10th early this morning and had three birdies going out followed by 5 birdies coming in and just one bogey on his card.
Two shots behind him at 132 (-12) is Jordi Garcia Del Moral from Spain who maintains his second-place position from yesterday’s round. He started today from the 1st tee and birdied the par 4 and followed up with straight pars through hole 6 then another birdie. A bogey on the par 3, 8th was immediately followed by another birdie on the 9th. Three more birdies and pars on the back nine saw him at -5 (67) for the day.
In joint third place at 133 (-11) are Nicolas Platret from France, Mathias Eggenberger from Switzerland, both in their second season on the Alps Tour. They both carded -6 (66) for the day. They are joined by the Italian rookie, Stefano Mazzoli, who had a perfect opening hole when he eagled the par 4, 1st hole and finished with a -5 (67).
The Irishman, Jonathan Yates, and the two French players, Thomas Le Berre and the amateur player, Theo Brizard are in joint sixth place at 134 (-10) after 36 holes. Brizard is the only amateur to have made the cut.
Yesterday’s leader, Giulio Castagnara, slipped back to 137 (-7) but comfortably made the cut at 140 (-4). He was among the 47 players heading into the last round, of which 46 are professionals and one, an amateur.
Tees 1 and 10 will see the third and final 18 holes tee off at 7:45 am with the last flights leaving at 8:55 am local time. After some probable showers tonight , the weather should be warm and partly cloudy for the conclusion of the tournament.
Results: click here
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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