Alps Tour Golf | Terre dei Consoli

18th November 2020 | Alps Tour Golf

Qualifying School 2020 Final – Round 2 – Will Heffernan Fires 65 To Take The Lead

November 18th, 2020 – Rome, Italy – With the best score of the day on both courses, a resounding 65 (-7), Will Heffernan from Australia took the lead with an overall -9 (135) after 36 holes.

Teeing off on the Terre dei Consoli Golf Club course from the first, the player from Down Under started in style with a birdie. He finished the first nine with three more, started the back nine with another birdie, dropped a shot with a single bogey but recovered with three more birdies coming home.

“I’m confident with the putter. The putter and the driver in fact but it’s all about the putting here as it’s quite wide off the tee. I holed a lot of putts today and that’s always gonna get it done, isn’t it? So far, I’m doing everything pretty well so I can’t complain”.

Winner last week on the Golf Club Parco de’ Medici course, he heads into the final round at the Golf Nazionale with the same approach:

“You’ve got to plot your way around the course. It’s going to be soft as I’m sure the grass is still wet there. So, just put yourself on the fairway and try to give yourself as many birdie opportunities as possible”.

Two strokes behind him on the same course, preserving his second place from yesterday is the American Blaire McKeithen. He had a grand total of 7 birdies and would have been joint leader if not for two bogeys on each nine to give him a 67(-5) for the day and an overall -7 (137).

Over on the Golf Nazionale, the Englishman Jack Trewhitt signed a 68 (-4) with just one bogey today to put him in third place with -6 (138).

In joint fourth place, Paul McBride from Ireland on the Terre dei Consoli Golf Club and Javier Gallegos Marsal from Spain on the Golf Nazionale are both at -5 (139). The two players came in at 69 (-3) for the day.

Tied for sixth after their rounds on the Golf Nazionale, yesterdays leader, the Irishman, Simon Bryan, and Will Porter from Scotland sit at -4 (140). Three birdies and two bogeys for Bryan for a 71(-1) today, whilst the Scotsman had six birdies and a lone bogey for a 67 (-5), six shots better than yesterday.

The highest amateur on the leader board is the French player Paul Margolis, at -3 (141) in eighth position. He had another steady round today on the Golf Nazionale with two birdies and a bogey for a 71 (-1).

Also on the Golf Nazionale, a trio of players share ninth place at -2 (142). The two Dutchmen, Philip Bootsma and Koen Kouwenaar both shot a 69 (-3) who are joined by the Italian player, Giovanni Craviolo.

The cut came at +7 with 16 amateurs among the 73 players coming through. The Final Round tees off tomorrow from the 1^st and 10^th tees of the Golf Nazionale to decide who gets category 6 (top 35 and ties) or category 8 (from 36th to 73rd) on the Alps Tour next year.

Those players who did not make the cut will be eligible for membership in category 9 of the Alps Tour for the 2021 season.

The weather forecast looks to be smiling on the Final as sunny skies and light winds are forecast for tomorrow.

Results Round 2 Final Stage: click here

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17th November 2020 | Alps Tour Golf

Qualifying School 2020 Final – Simon Bryan Leads After Round One

November 17th, 2020 – Rome, Italy – Blustery conditions made play difficult today but after the first eighteen holes, the Irishman, Simon Bryan is in the lead by one stroke from his nearest contender at -3 (69).

The 28-year old player from Druids Heath Golf Club in County Wicklow is not unfamiliar with such meteorological conditions:

“It was very windy; it was basically like being back at home but just with much warmer weather. So, keeping the ball’s flight down was pretty handy and with some of the greens being soft we could get at some of the flags, but you had to pay attention with being short sided. It was good, I kept ball in hand pretty much most of the day and when I was out of position on the greens, I just tried to put it close”.

Playing on the Terre dei Consoli course, Bryan teed off from the 1^st making one bogey on each nine and a total of 5 birdies. Having arrived early in Italy, he has got to know the course well:

“I’ve been here for three weeks. As soon we went into lockdown, I straightaway got onto the Alps Tour and then I got the General Manager’s email and we asked if we could come over and practice and they were more than happy to have us over. So I’ve been playing this golf course for three weeks solid. There were a couple of times today that I didn’t even look at the yardage book and just hit the shot. So, it was really nice to have that and it helped big time. We also got in a couple of practice rounds on the Golf Nazionale, so that’s tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it. I have a good game plan in place which is key on that course.”

There is a bit of a bottleneck in second position with seven players sitting at -2 (70). Three of them also played the Terre dei Consoli course; Javier Gallegos Marsal from Spain and two English players; Jack Trewhitt and Thomas Thurloway. The other four players were on the Golf Nazionale course today including the leader’s compatriot, Paul McBride. From the USA, we see Blaire McKeithen who briefly took the lead during the day and Will Heffernan from Australia, winner at Golf Club Parco de’ Medici in the First Qualifying round. The final slot is filled by the French amateur Paul Margolis.

In joint ninth place at -1 (71), is the top-ranked amateur present, Eduard Rousaud from Spain who had the only bogey-free round of the day. He is joined by Alan De Bondt from Belgium, Alessandro Notaro from Italy and Victor Trehet from France.

Eagles were few and far between today, but the French amateur, Carl Bertrand, finished his round at the Golf Nazionale with one on the par 5 18^th. He is among the next group of five players at Par (72). The other eagle was from the Italian Guglielmo Bravetti who scored a hole-in-one on the par 3 9^th. He is in the dozen players at +1 (73).

The players switch courses tomorrow for the second round at the end of which comes the cut to 65 players. The weather promises to be sunny and the wind should drop.

Results Round 1 Final Stage: click here

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14th November 2020 | Alps Tour Golf

Qualifying School 2020 – All Set For The Final Stage

November 14th, 2020 – Rome, Italy – With the play-offs of the First Stage completed yesterday, the 144 players in the Final Stage of the Alps Tour Qualifying School 2020 are registered. And we can look forward to some great golf given the players in the field.

Notably, among the 42 amateurs, there is David Ravetto from France currently 23^rd on the WAGR who raised the Brabazon Trophy in August of this year by winning the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

From Spain, there is Eduard Rousaud ranked 4^th on the WAGR who became only the fifth ever Spanish player to play a Major as an amateur when he participated in the US Open in September 2020. Just last week he finished joint fifth at the Andalucía Challenge de España, the only amateur to make the cut at the Challenge Tour event.

The Portuguese amateur, Pedro Lencart E Silva, recently distinguished himself with a win at the Portuguese Federation Cup last month.

Another rising French amateur is Charles Larcelet winner of the 2019 French Men’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Murat Cup) who also did himself proud at the 2019 Amundi Open de France by making the cut.

And within the home-grown amateurs, two Italians to watch, Gregorio De Leo and Davide Buchi have already participated in three Alps Tour events this year with their best results at the Cervino Open, 6^th and 17^th respectively. Plus, of course, Alessandro Radig who was second in the First Stage on the Golf Club Parco de’ Medici course.

Several former, top, amateurs, recently turned pro, join the qualifiers. Matyas Zapletal from the Czech Republic won what is considered the pinnacle of amateur golf competitions in his home country with victory at the Czech International Amateur Championship in August.

Conor Purcell from Ireland, a former Walker Cup player, won the Irish Golfer Shootout this July, staged at the K Club in Ireland, site of the 2006 Ryder Cup.

The Dutch player, Koen Kouwenaar, and the Belgian player, Alan De Bondt both had wins in 2019, one at the Dutch National Open Championship and the other at the King’s Prize.

There are also a number of previous Alps Tour tournament winners lined up. From the 2018 season we have the English player, Marcus Mohr – Open St Francois Region Guadeloupe, and from Italy, Michele Cea – Ein Bay Open. Frenchman, Franck Daux, was a two-time winner in 2016 at the Ein Bay Open and Red Sea Little Venice Open. Whilst, in 2011, the Italian, Cristiano Terragni won the Feudo di Asti Open.

The Final Qualifying Stage is scheduled to be played over 54 holes. The players will play two rounds, one each on the Golf Nazionale and Terre dei Consoli Golf Club courses.

After 36 holes, the field will 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 Golf Nazionale golf course.

At the conclusion of the 54 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 2021 season.

Players making the cut of the Final Qualifying Stage and finishing between the 36^th and the 65^th position will be eligible for membership in Category 8 of the Alps Tour for the 2021 season.

Players between the 66^th and the 144^th position will be eligible for membership in Category 9 of the Alps Tour for the 2021 season.

Official practice rounds start tomorrow with the weather threatening some heavy showers over the next two days. Hopefully, things should improve on Tuesday with the sun returning and gentle breezes.

Entries Final Stage: click here

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11th November 2020 | Alps Tour Golf

Qualifying School 2020 – First Stage Round One Results

November 11th, 2020 – Rome, Italy – After all the players had teed off this morning on each of the three courses in the First Stage of this year’s Alps Tour Qualifying School, the official announcement of the number of places available to qualify for the Final Stage was made. Of the 161 players today, there will be a total of 86 slots to join the 58 others already qualified by exemption.

Interestingly, the leaders on each of the three courses today carded identical scores of 69 (-3) over the first eighteen holes.

Golf Nazionale course: 37 spots available for the Final Stage:

A total of seven players hit under par today. At the end of play, at 69 (-3) joint leaders are Leo Andeer from Switzerland and the Spaniard, Sigot López. The Swiss player, with three birdies and no bogeys, carded the only bogey-free round of the day on all of the three courses.

In second place at 70 (-2) are two amateur players, Odin Antonino Urso from Italy, and Sam Dumez from France. And in joint third at 71 (-1) another duo of amateurs from Spain, Victor Garcia Broto and Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela alongwith Henry K Simpson from France. Hernandez Cabezuela was the author of one of two eagles on the course today, the other going to Paul Foulquie from France currently lying 24^th. We then have a group of four players at par,

Terre dei Consoli Golf Club course: 36 spots available for the Final Stage:

A total of nine players broke par today. Joint leaders from Spain, David Morago and Javier Gallegos on -3 (69). Morago had one of the three eagles scored here today, alongside three birdies and a double-bogey. Gallegos had five birdies and two bogeys.

Joint second place goes to two Austrian players on 70 (-2) who have previously played on the Alps Tour; Clemens Prader winner of the 2008 Czech Open, who also had an eagle on his card and Bernard Neumayer. The third eagle of the day went to Augustin Hole from France currently in 25th position.

We then have a pack of five players at 71 (-1) including two amateurs, Henri Battilani from Italy and Hugo Legeay-Gaucher from France. They are joined by Alvaro Veiga Pena from Spain, the Austrian Jurgen Maurer and Alessandro Aloi from Italy.

Parco de’ Medici course: 13 spots available for the Final Stage:

Only two players came in under par. Leading after 18 holes is the Italian amateur, Alessandro Radig on 69 (-3). Two strokes behind him is Will Heffernan, the only Australian player present, on 71 (-1). Both had steady rounds as Radig carded five birdies and two bogeys, whilst Heffernan had two birdies and one bogey. Two more Italian players are next at par 72, Filippo Bernabe and Matteo Massitti. The rest of the field are at 74 (+2) or more.

The players tee off tomorrow morning in the decisive round at 8:00 am on the Golf Nazionale and Terre dei Consoli Golf Club courses and at 8:30 am on the Parco de’ Medici course. Should there be a tie on any of the courses, then a hole by hole playoff will be used to determine the players for the last qualified spot and alternates.

The weather will be a little less favourable than today being forecast to be cloudy and with the possibility of occasional showers in the afternoon.

Results Round 1 Golf Nazionale: click here

Results Round 1 Terre dei Consoli Golf Club: click here

Results Round 1 Golf Club Parco de’ Medici: click here

Entries Final Stage: click here

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30th October 2020 | Alps Tour Golf

Jacopo Vecchi Fossa Seizes First Victory

October 30th, 2020 – Rome, Italy – What a finish to the Alps Tour 2020 season! After a round that had everyone on the edge of their seats until the final hole, the victor was Jacopo Vecchi Fossa from Italy with a final round of 68 (-4) and a grand total of -13 (203).

“It’s great to win the last tournament of the season. I’ve played six events this year and I’ve played well on some great courses. Plus, this win secures me my full card for the Alps Tour next season”.

Having undergone heart surgery in 2017, it is great to see him fully recovered and back on form. His pleasure at winning his first Alps Tour title was dimmed though by the fact that his playing partner, Jeong Weon Ko incurred a one stroke penalty on the 18^th green.

On the 18^th tee, Ko was one stroke ahead at -13. His ball came to rest just off the green and he marked it to check the line, but then moved the ball to adjust the line which is an infringement of rule 9.4b of the Rules of Golf. His error obviously unsettled him as he three-putted to finish with a double bogey whilst the Italian birdied to secure the win.

“It takes a little joy away from my win as I felt really sorry for Jeong”.

Nevertheless, Ko can take some comfort from his second place as it was enough to secure him third place on the Order of Merit and thus one of the three Challenge Tour places for next year.

The remaining two Challenge Tour places go to Jordi Garcia Del Moral from Spain, who was the winner of the 2020 OofM and his fellow countryman, Lucas Vacarisas who was second. Jordi Garcia Del Moral had arrived at the final secure in the knowledge that his performance this year with six top ten results, including a win at the Cervino Open meant that he would already have one of the three cards.

“I knew I had one of the top three places on the OofM but I had to aim for a top three win here, in case Lucas won the tournament”. He finally finished ninth which was more than enough as Lucas Vacarisas finished sixth.

Next week sees Jordi Garcia Del Moral heading home to Spain for a Challenge Tour event but he expressed his gratitude to the Alps Tour team.

“It’s been a long year, difficult with the Covid 19 but finally we finished the year. We did nine events, and all the players are very grateful to you guys for working so hard and doing a great job. So, thank you!”

The Alps Tour returns to Italy on the 11^th November for the First Stage of the 2020 Qualifying School. The first two rounds will be played on three different courses near Rome over two days. The Golf Club Parco de’ Medici, the Terre dei Consoli Golf Club and the Golf Nazionale. These last two clubs will then host the Final Stage over three rounds the following week from the 17^th-19^th November.

Final Results: click here

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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.”

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26th October 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Federico Maccario Wins Alps Tour Grand Final 2019

Rome (Italy), October 26, 2019 – Under the clear blue skies of the Lazio region in Italy, here at the Terre dei Consoli Golf club, after a battle of the Titans, Federico Maccario topped the leader board at -14 (274) over 72 holes to win the Alps Tour Grand Final 2019.

His first reaction was, Maccario:” I’m really happy. My game was really solid through to hole 18. I’ve lost some competitions this year and I really wanted to have a good result today.”

Indeed, with just one bogey and six birdies for a final round 67 (-6), Maccario’s victory also moves him up to fourth place on the Order of Merit, putting him in the top five players and thus earning him a full Challenge Tour category for next season.

In joint second place at -13 (275) was Edoardo Lipparelli from Italy, Julien Forêt from France and Lukas Nemecz from Austria.

In fifth place at -12 (276) was Edgar Catherine and his French compatriot, Frédéric Lacroix, was just behind him in sixth position with -11 (277).

Throughout the day the top of the leader board constantly changed, but as the players headed down the back nine, the final six players fought tooth and nail right down to the line.

First into the clubhouse was Edgar Catherine who carded an incredible 63 (-9) today with a total of 11 birdies for 2 bogeys. As he left the recording area, his overall -12 still left him in contention.

Next in was Edoardo Lipparelli who as he signed his card for a 68 (-4) for the round, left him as joint leader at -13 overall.

His hopes were dashed as Federico Maccario in the flight behind him birdied the 18^th to come in at -14. His playing partner, Julien Forêt, did par on the last hole to finish an overall -13.

The question on everyone’s lips was whether or not Lukas Nemecz at -13 would force a play-off as the final flight headed down the 18^th fairway. His four birdies and an eagle on the back nine made it a strong possibility.

It was not to be. Par it was and the roars of congratulations rang round the club house as Federico Maccario was crowned champion of the Alps Tour 2019 Grand Final.

After the distribution of the points, this year’s Order of Merit sees Edoardo Lipparelli in first place, followed by his compatriot Enrico Di Nitto in second. Third place goes to Frédéric Lacroix with Federico Maccario next. The four rookies are joined by the Austrian, Timon Baltl to make up the five players moving on to the Challenge Tour in 2020.

After a compelling culmination to the 2019 season all eyes now turn to the Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Malaga, Spain from the 15^th to 21^st of December 2019.

Final results: click here

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25th October 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Two Topping Leader Board After Round 3

Rome (Italy), October 25, 2019 – As the Grand Final of the Alps Tour changed course for the third round, heading to the Terre dei Consoli Golf Club, there was also movement at the top of the leader board. Frédéric Lacroix from France and Lucas Nemecz from Austria both came in with -5 (67) for the day to put them in joint first place at -10 over 54 holes.

The weather was smiling again on the tournament with blue skies and sunshine as the two leaders teed off together. Lucas Nemecz carded 5 birdies and not a single bogey: “The course is in great condition, fairways and greens. We both played well but I didn’t putt so well today. But this last event of the season is fun and a good fight.”

Frédéric Lacroix had two bogeys on his card today but remained focussed to come in with 7 birdies. He felt the course was maybe more suited to his game than that of the Golf Nazionale in the previous two rounds: “This course plays much longer off the tee with wider fairways allowing for longer shots. You have to hit much bigger shots to get into trouble, although when you do it’s real big trouble!”

Three players share joint third place at -9 for the three rounds. Federico Maccario from Italy and Julien Forêt from France both made significant moves up the leader board thanks to their -6 (66) rounds for the day. Alongside them is Edoardo Lipparelli from Italy who maintained his consistency to date this week with a -2 (70) keeping him still well in contention for the title.

Two of yesterday’s joint leaders came into the clubhouse -8 overall to take sixth position. Angel Hidalgo Portillo and Jordi Garcia Del Moral from Spain. Angel had 4 bogeys going out but countered these with 5 bogeys on the back nine for -2 (70) for the day whilst Jordi carded a -1 (71).

The overall verdict from the players is very positive regarding the combination of the two different courses, the Golf Nazionale and Terre dei Consoli, with each posing different challenges. Both are physically demanding but the notable differences today; Federico Maccario: “They’re both great courses but very different. Here the fairways are wider, but the difficulties come from there being more wind, and the greens. The greens are big, often with hidden pins so it can be difficult to get close to the flag.”

Each round demonstrates how important this tournament is for determining the season-end positions on the Order of Merit. The fourth and fifth positions are far from decided. Everything remains to play for tomorrow in the last round of the Alps Tour 2019 Grand Final. Tee-offs start at 7:59.

Round 3 results: click here

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24th October 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

3 Joint Leaders After Day 2

Rome (Italy), October 24, 2019 – The second round of the Alps Tour Grand Final proved to be both exciting and eventful here at the Golf Nazionale. The Italian Edoardo Lipparelli was still on top of the leader board at -7 having carded a 70 today but he was joined by the two Spanish rookies, Angel Hidalgo Portillo and Jordi Garcia Del Moral.

Lipparelli started the front nine strongly with five birdies and just one bogey and at the turn he was -4 (32) for an overall -9. But as he stated: “I started well on the front nine and continued playing well on the back nine, but the putter was not my friend, so I had a couple of three putts”. Two bogeys and pars saw him finish with a 38 coming in for an overall score of -2 (70) for the day.

Angel Hidalgo Portillo started the day in third position at -3 but a round of 6 birdies alongwith 2 bogeys, saw him coming into the clubhouse as joint leader. He admitted to having taken some time to settle into his round: “The first few holes were tough as I felt a little nervous but then by the fourth, I started to feel better. I putted really well today which is what made the difference compared to yesterday.” He totalled a -4 (68) for today’s round.

His compatriot Jordi Garcia Del Moral who started the day at -1 had a fantastic day with a bogey-free -6 (66) for the day: “I had six birdies to shoot six under. A round like today is a real confidence booster.”

Meanwhile David Carey from Ireland, the recent winner of the Cervino Open, roared up the leader board with 7 birdies and not a single bogey to card a -7 (65) for the day to put him in fourth place.

In joint fifth place, at -5 after the two rounds, Frédéric Lacroix from France and Lucas Nemecz from Austria both put in solid performances to move six places up the leader board with –4 (68). They’re joined by Edgar Catherine from France who carded a -2 today including an eagle on the par 5 number 14 hole.

We then have four players in the next spot at -3 for the 36 holes. The Italians, Luca Cianchetti and Federico Maccario alongwith Julien Foret from France and Martin Contini from Argentina.

Despite a brief light shower in the morning, weather conditions were again unseasonably mild. However, a storm is heading in from the South so we can expect heavy downpours overnight which will hopefully have stopped by start of play tomorrow at 8:19.

Play moves to the Terre dei Consoli Golf Club for the next two rounds and the pressure will start to mount as the rounds tick by.

Round 2 results: click here

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23rd October 2019 | Alps Tour Golf

Lipparelli Leads After Round 1

Rome (Italy), October 23, 2019 – On a balmy autumn day with blue skies, no wind and summer-like temperatures, the Italian player, Edoardo Lipparelli came into the clubhouse at -5 (67) to take the lead in the Alps Tour Grand Final at the Golf Nazionale.

With 6 birdies and just one bogey on his scorecard, Edoardo Lipparelli played a steady round. “I’m happy with my game. I hit a couple of bad shots, but I was able to recover well. Everything else was fairly solid. My putting worked pretty well, even if some putts didn’t drop. Overall, I’m pleased with my score and I feel comfortable for tomorrow.”

The dense rough along the fairways claimed a number of victims today as any wayward tee-shots were immediately punished. As Lipparelli stated: “I think the most important part on this golf course are the tee shots. To hit the most fairways possible. I was lucky enough to hit a lot of good shots off the tee and not look for any balls. That definitely helps on this golf course, so that was the best part of my game today.”

The course hosted the Nazionale Open in July of this year, but the course conditions are not exactly the same. Differences that Lipparelli appreciates: “It’s playing a little differently because it’s less dry and so it is playing longer aswell because the ball doesn’t bounce as much. I like it. It’s in very good shape for this final.”

Indeed, despite the near-perfect playing conditions, the challenging Jim Fazio designed course saw plenty of birdies, pars, bogeys and double-bogeys but just a single eagle among the 40 players out there today, that of the Portuguese rookie, Vitor Londot Lopes on the par 5 hole 18.

The rookies were out in force today with six of them in the top ten on the leaderboard after the first round. In second position is the rookie, Martin Contini from Argentina, who carded a bogey-free -4 (68). Whilst in the four players tied for third position on the leaderboard at -3 (69) are two more rookies, Angel Hidalgo Portillo from Spain and Edgar Catherine from France alongside the experienced players Davey Porsius from the Netherlands and Xavier Poncelet from France.

Rounding out the top ten at -2 (70) are three more rookies; lone-eagle scorer, Vitor Londot Lopes, and Mathias Eggenberger from Switzerland alongwith Jonathan Yates from Ireland accompanied by the experienced French player Teremoana Beaucousin.

Of the top 5 players on the Order of Merit, just two of them are in the top ten after the 18 holes of Day 1. Edoardo Lipparelli (1^st) and Xavier Poncelet (5^th). The other three top 5 players are Frédéric Lacroix (3^rd), Enrico Di Nitto (2^nd) and Timon Baltl (4^th) who came in at -1 (71), Par (72) and +1 (72) respectively.

However, we have another three rounds to go and anything can happen in the game of golf. As Edoardo Lipparelli says, for a tournament of this number of rounds: “Whoever is the most consistent over the four days is going to top the leader board.”

So, consistency is the key. Let’s see what Day 2 produces on the Golf Nazionale course. The first tee-off is at 8:19 and the last flight starts at 11:20.

Rounds 3 and 4 will take place at the Terre dei Consoli Golf Club.

Round 1 results: click here

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