Q School Final Stage Round 1 Results for Asia and America Courses
Malaga (Spain), December 18, 2019 – The first round of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School teed off at 9:15 this morning under an overcast sky after some light rain during the night. Play started from tees 1 and 10 on both the Asia and America courses at La Cala Resort and the weather held with no rain until the final half hour of play.
At the end of the first 18 holes, four players share the lead at -8. First of the leading scores into the clubhouse was the English player, Bradley Baldwin who played the America course for a 63 (-8). This was his first round on the course having played the Asia course in the First Stage. He noted certain differences in elevations when comparing the two but with no wind and slightly softer greens he had an excellent round with 7 birdies, just one bogey and a final hole eagle.
Next in was Tiago Cruz from Portugal who played on the Asia course where he carded a 64 (-8). Starting with an eagle on the 10th, a total of 6 birdies and not a single bogey he enjoyed a near perfect round.
Coming in behind him was the Spanish player Victor Pastor Rufian with a 63 (-8) on the America course. The recently turned pro of just 2 months had a series of four birdies in a row on holes 18 through 3 and finished in style with an eagle on the 9th. He attributed his score in large part to his wedge play and putting.
The fourth of the leaders, Harrison Woan from England, also played the America course for his 63 (-8) score. With seven birdies, one bogey and an eagle, this experienced Alps Tour player is looking to secure his place for the 2020 season.
Just behind the leaders in fifth place at -7 (65) on the Asia course, the Portuguese player, Tomas Bessa Guimaraes had two birdies on the front nine and then started the back nine with an eagle followed by a bogey but followed this with four birdies in a row. Having played a partial season on the Alps Tour this season he is looking to return for a full season next year.
Three players are tied in 6th position at -6 with the Dutch player, Mike Toorop, coming in on the America course at 65 (-6). He had two top ten wins on the Alps Tour in 2019 out of the just 6 tournaments he participated in. He is joined by The Scottish player, Alistair Thurlow who is participating in his first Alps Tour Qualifying School and who came in at 66 (-6) on the Asia course. Alongside him on the Asia course is Edouard Espana, a former Alps Tour player whose achievements earned him a Challenge Tour card which he hasn’t maintained for the next season. He’s back to try and start a new, full season on the Alps Tour of which he has nothing but good memories.
The consensus among all the players was that both the courses were in excellent condition here at La Cala which made the play extremely pleasant, if challenging and that the resort itself is fantastic.
Round 2 of the Final Stage is scheduled to tee off at 9:15 tomorrow morning. However, a severe weather front is moving into the area with heavy rain and high winds forecast for Friday. Should weather conditions make play impossible, then Round 2 may be pushed back to Saturday and the final round to Sunday. Players will be informed first thing in the morning.
Results First Round Final: click here
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