Rome, November 15th 2023 – English amateur Mason Essam leads with an 8 under-par, 65 at the end of the 1st round at the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. Another amateur, Italy’s Luca Memeo, is in 2nd place at 5 under par. There is an Italian trio in a 3-way tie for 3rd place with a Round 1 score of 4 under-par that includes: Filippo Bergamaschi, Adalberto Montini, and amateur Luca Cavalli.
An overcast morning with a comfortable temperature in Northern Rome, welcomed the 156 players who began their quest to earn one of the 2024 Alps Tour playing cards that is up for grabs. For the first two rounds, the players are split between Golf Nazionale (Par 71) and Olgiata Golf Club (Par 73) and will play one round on each course.
Round 1 Player Quotes
Twenty-four-year-old, English amateur Mason Essam, who currently represents Dartford Golf Club, leads after Round 1 at the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage. He shot an opening round at Olgiata Golf Club of 8 under-par, 65 today with 1 eagle, 7 birdies, and 1 bogey. He qualified for this week’s Final Stage of Q-School after concluding tied for 6th place last week at the Stage 1 event held at Terre dei Consoli Golf Club. After he signed for his 8 under-par, he proudly commented, “I played lovely today, I was able to manage my misses well, and had a good game plan I committed to. My game has been improving recently, and my goal for the day was to stick to my plan and play with freedom and confidence. My expectations for the week are to finish with a full card on the Alps Tour for next season, and this has been a great start for sure, I’m grateful for the opportunity.” He will turn professional “if I am able to accomplish my goals this week to earn a card.”
Luca Memeo (am), from Italy, 18 years old, who currently represents Royal Park I Roveri, finds himself in 2nd place after the 1st round of the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. He shot a bogey-free first round making 1 eagle and 3 birdies at Olgiata Golf Club. After the round, Memeo explained how he “hit nearly every green in regulation and put together a bogey-free round. I was able to hit the majority of the fairways, too, which allowed me the opportunity to go for the pins. I don’t have any real expectations this week, I’m trying to do the best I can in every shot and every round and gain some experience. Today was definitely an ideal start.” As he is playing as an amateur, he added that he “plans to turn pro at the end of next year.”
Italy’s Filippo Bergamaschi, who represents Villa Paradiso Golf Club, is the 1st player in the three-way tie for 3rd place after his opening round of 4 under-par, 67 at Golf Nazionale. He began his round with a bogey on his opening hole, the 10th of the golf course, and then from there on, he made 5 birdies. When he finished his round, he commented: “My putting today was exceptional today. I struggled slightly off the tee today, a little more than I expected, but overall, I’m pleased, it puts me in a good position with two rounds left to be played.” When asked about his preference between the two host golf clubs this week, he added: “I personally prefer Golf Nazionale compared to Olgiata Golf Club, I like it more. I think it suits my game a bit better, I enjoy it more as I’m able to hit a variety of shots, and I’ve played it more, so have more experience on it.”
Alongside Bergamaschi in the three-way tie for 3rd place at 4 under-par, there is: Adalberto Montini and amateur Luca Cavalli. Both players competed during today’s 1st round at Olgiata Golf Club.
At the conclusion of the 54 holes, the top 35 players and ties ranked according to score, will be eligible to receive Category 6 membership for the 2024 Alps Tour Season. The rest of the players who will make the cut, and finish between the 36th and 65th position will be eligible to receive Category 8 membership. The remaining players who compete in this Final Stage and conclude the tournament between the 66th and 156th position will be eligible to receive membership in Category 9.
Round 2
For tomorrow’s Round 2, players will be alternating golf courses between Golf Nazionale and Olgiata Golf Club. Play will begin again at 8:00 am from the 1st and 10th hole at each golf course.
After tomorrow’s round, a cut will be made to the top 65 players and ties who will compete in the final round of the tournament that will played at Golf Nazionale.
