Rome, November 17^th 2023 – Italy’s twenty-four-year-old Giovanni Manzoni wins the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage with a three-day score of 10 under-par. In 2^nd place with a total score of 8 under-par, English amateur Mason Essam. In 3^rdplace at 6 under-par Ireland’s Robert Moran (am). In 4^th place at 5 under-par Scotland’s Craig Ross.  There is a 3-way tie for 5^th at 4 under-par that includes: French amateur Maxime Mathey, Italy’s Adalberto Montini, and Luca Memeo (am).

The final round of the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage began at 8:00 am from the 1^st and 10^th hole at Golf Nazionale in Northern Rome. The leaders teed off at 10:12 am from the 1^st tee. After yesterday’s 36 holes cut, 74 players (45 pros and 29 amateurs) were able to qualify for today’s final round, where they competed to earn their 2024 Alps Tour playing card. It was a beautiful day with clear skies and beautiful sunshine, which allowed the players to take advantage of favorable scoring opportunities.

Final Round Player QuotesItaly’s Giovanni Manzoni wins the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage with a three-day score of 10 under-par. He was tied for 5^th place after yesterday’s round 2. He shot a final round 5 under-par, 66 that included 5 birdies on the front nine and 4 birdies, 2 bogeys, and 1 double bogey to close out his round at Golf Nazionale. He is 24 years old, currently represents Margara Golf Club, and turned professional about 6 months ago. After his win, Manzoni commented: “I played really solid the past 3 days, I’m happy because I rediscovered my feelings, and my game is progressing in a positive way, so I’m thrilled.” Today Manzoni, had a good friend of his and fellow tour player on the bag, Filippo Celli, “my caddie today was amazing, he helped me for the entire 18 holes, and most importantly, we had a lot of fun together. Whenever we are together, I have a lot of fun, and he definitely helped me not to overthink the course and the day but to enjoy myself and play like I know I’m capable of.”  He added that, obviously now, “the goal and the next step is to work towards winning an Alps Tour tournament.”

English amateur Mason Essam, who was in the lead since the beginning of the event, concludes the tournament in 2^nd place with a three-day total of 8 under-par. He is 24 years old and represents Dartford Golf Club. Essam qualified to compete in this week’s event after finishing 6^th at the Stage 1 Qualifier held at Terre dei Consoli Golf Club. After his round, Essam explained that he plans on “definitely turning professional now, I did what I came here to do, which is nice. However, when you’re in contention, you want to win, so a bit hard feeling for that, but overall, I played well today and just didn’t hole enough putts. Clearly, Giovanni played really well, so can’t complain.” He added that during this off-season, he will “keep seeing my new coach, who I just started working with, and trying to make a steady progression and get my head down in February to try to get a win early on.” Essam went on to comment that he found: “The wind was completely the opposite today compared to yesterday. I played much better today compared to yesterday, so I can’t really say whether it was easier or not, but I definitely think so of the harder holes played fairer today, and the easier holes played normal.”

In 3^rd place at 6 under-par Irish amateur Robert Moran. In 4^th place at 5 under-par Scotland’s Craig Ross.  There is a 3-way tie for 5^th at 4 under-par that includes: French amateur Maxime Mathey, Italy’s Adalberto Montini, and Luca Memeo (am).

Final RoundAt the end of today’s final round, 39 players, which will be ranked according to their score, received Category 6 membership, which represents a full playing card for the 2024 Alps Tour Season. The remaining players who made the cut received Category 8 membership for next year’s season. The remaining players who compete in this Final Stage but did not make the 36 holes cut are eligible to receive membership in Category 9.

The 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage draws the 2023 season to a close. Now players are able to enjoy their winter break until the new Alps Tour season will begin in mid-February 2024 in Egypt in the hopes of another successful golf season with the next #risinggolfstars?.

The Alps Tour wishes everyone a great holiday season, and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2024!

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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