23rd February 2023 | Alps Tour Golf
Jack Floydd wins the 2023 Ein Bay Open!
Final Round Review
Sokhna Golf Club
Suez, Egypt
21st – 23rd February 2023 and 26th – 28th February
Alps Tour Media Contact: [email protected]
Leaderboard
| Pos. | Name | Score |
| 1 | Jack Floydd (ENG) | -17 |
| 2 | Andrea Romano (ITA) | -15 |
| Cristiano Terragni (ITA) | -15 | |
| 4 | Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela (ESP) | -13 |
| 5 | Ronan Mullarney (IRL) | -12 |
Quick Links
Final Round Leaderboard
The weather and scoring conditions have been constant for the players throughout the past few days that have been competing at the beautiful Sokhna Golf Club for the 2023 Ein Bay Open title. Play began at 7:00 am local time and the leaders group teed off at 10:20 am local time from the 1st hole.
Final Round Player Quotes –
Jack Floydd captures his first professional win at the 2023 Ein Bay Open by 2 strokes. He shot a final round of 7 under-par, that included 8 birdies and 1 bogey. He was the 1st round leader and only a few shots back after yesterday’s round. Today he was able to capture the win with one of the low rounds of the day. Jack is 26 years old and turned professional in 2020. This is his 3rd season on the Alps Tour and currently represents Haywards Heath Golf Club. After his victory, he was very happy, “I would like to thank my parents and my grandparents, they’ve been in this with me from the start. I’m very pleased with how the season has started. I have been working hard back home with my coaches so to see it pay-off early on in the year is exciting.” He went on to add that he found “today a little breezier than the first few days with some tucked pins so all parts of my game were in a good spot. I gave myself plenty of chances and holed a few mid-range putts.” Jack looks forward to the year ahead with hopefully more wins!
Italy’s Andrea Romano, just 22 years old, was near the top of the leaderboard for the entire week and concluded the tournament tied for 2nd place at 15-under par. After his round, he commented: “This week was an experiment for me. Last year I struggled severely with my putting and this year I switched and started putting left-handed. This result was unexpected but I’m very pleased with it. It shows that the change I made is currently showing progress. I’m happy with the way I began the year and looking forward to gathering some good finishes.”
Cristiano Terragni from Italy, who was just 1 stroke off the lead after yesterday’s round, shot a bogey-free, 4 under-par 68 in today’s final round concluding the tournament tied for 2nd place at 15 under-par. After his round, Cristiano commented, “Today I played well, I’m pleased to have put together a bogey-free round. I was in control of my game especially on the front-nine due to the fact that the pins were harder and there was more wind. However, on the back-nine I slowed down until I birdied on the 16th hole. He went on to add: “I’m happy to have begun the season with a 2nd place finish even if a win would have been better.”
In 4th place, the second-round leader, Spain’s Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela with a three-day total of 13 under-par. In 5th place, just one stroke back Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney.
After the first event of the season, Jack Floydd currently leads the Order of Merit standings with 6525 points. Tied in 2nd place Andrea Romano and Cristiano Terragni with 3,656.25 points.
Final Round-
Jack Floydd winner of the 2023 Ein Bay Open, earned 6,525 Order of Merit points and the winning check of €5,800.
The next scheduled event here at the beautiful Sokhna Golf Club is set for February 26th- 28th, for the second tournament of the 2023 Egypt Winter Series: the 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open.
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.
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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22nd February 2023 | Alps Tour Golf
Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela leads after Round 2 at the 2023 Ein Bay Open!
Round 2 Review
Suez, Egypt
21st – 23rd February 2023 and 26th – 28th February
Alps Tour Media Contact: [email protected]
Leaderboard
| Pos. | Name | Score |
| 1 | Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela (ESP) | -12 |
| 2 | Cristiano Terragni (ITA) | -11 |
| 3 | Jack Floydd (ENG) | -10 |
| 4 | Enrico Di Nitto (ITA) | -8 |
| Andrea Romano (ITA) | -8 |
Quick Links
Round 2 Leaderboard
Final Round Tee Times
It was another gorgeous day at Suez, Egypt, host of the 2023 Ein Bay Open. The tournament played at the beautiful Sokhna Golf Club began at 7:00 am local time this morning under sunny blue skies and warm temperatures. The scoring conditions were more favorable in the morning due to the wind that picked up later in the day even if it wasn’t as strong as yesterday afternoon.
Spain’s Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela who was tied for 3rd place at the conclusion of yesterday’s 1stround, finds himself in the lead after today’s round. He followed his opening-round of 5 under-par, with a 7 under-par in the second round for a two-day total of 12 under-par. He is 26 years old, turned professional in 2021 but is playing in his 3rd season on the Alps Tour. After his round, Alvaro was very pleased, “I played really well today. I’ve been able to make a lot of birdies the past two days so I’m very happy. My game has been pretty good especially my mid-irons and my putting. My putter this week has been clutch. I made 28 putts yesterday and I believe something less today.” He went on to add: “I’m looking forward to tomorrow, time to rest now and ready to go tomorrow. I’m ready to put together another good round!”
Cristiano Terragni from Italy is in 2nd place at 11 under-par and only 1 stroke off the lead. He shot a second round of 6 under-par 66 with 7 birdies and 1 bogey. At the conclusion of his round, he was pleased with his “long game was better today than yesterday. Today I found that the wind wasn’t as strong as yesterday but it was swirling a bit more. My driver, putting and short irons have been clutch so far this week. My attitude has also been very good the past two days.” He also added that “I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s round, pretending like it’s the first round of the tournament with a solid game and positive attitude.”
Round 1 leader, Jack Floydd shot a 3 under-par in round 2 and a two-day total of 10 under-par. During today’s round, he made 5 birdies today, 1 double bogey and 1 bogey for a 69. Tomorrow he will tee off at 10:11 am local time with Italy’s Enrico Di Nitto.
Italy’s Enrico Di Nitto followed his 5 under-par opening round with a 3 under-par, 69 today for a two-day total of 8 under-par and is tied for 4th place entering the final round tomorrow. He is a past winner on the Alps Tour with and is playing this week on a wild card invitation. Enrico has achieved some good results at this course over the years and has positive memories, “I have numerous good finishes at Sokhna Golf Club and I’m happy to be back and playing well. Today I struggled slightly with my iron play today but was able to recover with my short game and putting. The greens are tricky and it’s not easy to make short putts especially in the afternoon wave.”
One of the two lowest rounds of the day belong to Italy’s Riccardo Bregoli who shot an incredible bogey-free 7 under-par round today for a two-day total of 7 under-par and be tied for 6th place ahead of tomorrow’s final round. He made 3 birdies on the front nine and 4 birdies on the back nine. When Riccardo signed for his 7 under-par round, he was very pleased: “My long game helped me a lot today, I hit it very well of the tee but especially my 2nd shots into the greens were crucial during today’ round even if I unfortunately missed a few short birdie putts otherwise I would have been able to put together an even better round.” He went on to add: “The course is in great conditions this week; the greens are rolling fast and they are firm. I hope to get off to a fast start tomorrow and try to catch the leaders and see what will happen.”
The final round of the 2023 Ein Bay Open will begin at 7:00 am local time from the 1st hole.
A total of 43 players (40 pros and 3 amateurs) made the cut which was set at -2. The final group will tee off at 10:20 am local time from the 1st hole. The winner of the 2023 Ein Bay Open, will earn the winning check of €5,800 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.
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.
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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21st February 2023 | Alps Tour Golf
Jack Floydd leads after Round 1 at the 2023 Ein Bay Open!
Round 1 Review
Suez, Egypt
21st – 23rd February 2023 and 26th – 28th February
Alps Tour Media Contact: [email protected]
Leaderboard
| Pos. | Name | Score |
| 1 | Jack Floydd (ENG) | -7 (65) |
| 2 | Ronan Mullarney (IRL) | -6 (66) |
| 3 | Jorge Maicas (ESP) | -5(67) |
| Flavio Michetti-am (ITA) | -5(67) | |
| and 5 other players at | -5(67) |
Quick Links
Round 1 Leaderboard
Round 2 Tee Time
A gorgeous sunny day with blue skies and warm temperatures was the backdrop of today’s first round of the 2023 Ein Bay Open. The first round was played at the beautiful Sokhna Golf Club in Suez, Egypt. Players had the opportunity to compete with perfect scoring conditions. Play began from both the 1st and 10th 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 very similar to today’s round, with blue skies and temperatures around 21° Celsius and 15km/h winds.
Round 1 Player Quotes –
England’s Jack Floydd who represents Haywards Heath Golf Club leads by 1 stroke at the conclusion of the 1st round at the 2023 Ein Bay Open. He shot a 7 under-par 65 round today with 3 birdies on the front nine holes and 1 bogey and 5 birdies on the back nine. Jack is 26 years old and turned pro in 2020. After his round, Jack commented: “I played very solid today. My game was great off the tee and gave myself a decent chance for birdie on the majority of the holes.” During the back nine, he made 4 birdies in a row from holes 14 until 17, when asked if anything different happened he added: “I had chances on the front nine but didn’t start converting until the back nine. It definitely helped that 2 birdie putts were from about 1 foot. However, I did make a long one as well.” Jack currently: “feels in control of my swing and my ball flight. I also had relatively good pace on the greens today which helped. I’ve been working hard with my coaches over the winter and I feel very confident with my game heading into the season.”
Ireland’s Ronan Mullarney, concluded his first round with a 6 under-par, 66 and is in 2nd place only 1 stroke back. He began his round on the 10th hole today and had a strong start making 5 birdies on his front nine and then made 3 birdies and 2 bogeys on his back nine. He begins his first full season on the Alps Tour wanting to gain stability. Ronan turned professional in 2019 and competed in the 2022 Open Championship. After his round, he was pleased with how “how I played today. The wind picked up on my back 9, the course front nine which made it a bit trickier but I practiced hard over the winter so I was ready. My wedge game was very sharp today which helped me put together the round.”
One of the seven players tied for 3rd place at 5 under-par is Italian amateur Flavio Michetti who represents Marco Simone Golf Club. In today’s round, he made 2 birdies and 5 birdies on the front nine and 2 birdies on the back. After he completed his first round, Flavio commented: “I played very solid today. I had a strong start with a birdie on the 1st hole and the 4th hole and that allowed me to be confident in my game for the remainder of the round. Today I putted very very well, I made 28 putts today hitting 17 greens. I believe that being able to putt well on these greens it gives you a big advantage.” When asked about the course he went on to add: “The course is in very good conditions, the greens are very good and the ball rolls well.”
Tied for 3rd place alongside Flavio Michetti at 5 under-par and 2 shots back of the lead, there is Spain’s Jorge Maicas, Netherland’s Davey Porsius, Spain’s Alvaro Hernandez Cabezuela, Italy’s Cristiano Terragni and Enrico Di Nitto and Swiss’s Luca Galliano.
The 120 players are competing for an overall prize fund of €40.000 and 45,000 Order of Merit points. The winner will earn €5,800 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.
Round 2-
The second round of the 2023 Ein Bay Open will begin again at 7:00 am local time from the 1st and 10th hole. After round 2, a cut will be made to the top 40 players and ties.
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.
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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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).
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24th February 2022 | Alps Tour Golf
Ein Bay Open 2022 – Italian Stefano Mazzoli wins in Egypt
Egypt – February 24, 2022 – Italian Stefano Mazzoli, 25, kept the overnight lead during the 3rd final round at Sokhna Golf Club battling head to head till the 17th hole with Irishman Conor Purcell to claim the victory of the Ein Bay Open 2022, the first stage of the Alps Tour Season 2022.
Mazzoli started his last round with 3 birdies on the first six holes but lost 2 shots on the 7th due to a double bogey. He came back on the back nine with 3 birdies on the last five holes. He scored just 3 bogeys and 1 double bogey during the whole tournament and saved strokes with 17 birdies and 1 eagle. He scored a total of 202 (69-65-68).
“This is my second victory in Egypt (after 2020 Red Sea Little Venice Open) and the third on the Alps Tour (2021 Antognolla Alps Open). I’m very happy about my start, I’ve played very well during the week. Today I scored a bad double bogey on the 7th where I ended in the water hazard but then I came back soon. It was almost a matchplay between me and Conor until the 17th where we finished on the green with the second shot but I ended up making a birdie and Conor three-putted. I’m very happy with my start here for the first stage of the Tour”.
Mazzoli earns a cheque of 5,800 euros and adds 6,525 points to lead the Order of Merit.
The prize for the second place (3,940 euros) went to Irishman Conor Purcell, 24, who was in 6th place just 2 shots behind the leader after day 2.
“It was particularly tough knewing I had to score probably a 5 or 6 under par to gain the victory. But I’m happy with my score also because the weather got a little windier on the course. I can’t complain with my game even if I had the chance to score some more birdies. Congratulations to Stefano who played a very solid 3rdround here”.
The third place was shared between Frenchman Pierre Pineau and Spaniard Enrique Marin Santander both at -11. “I didn’t expect such a great start said Enrique Marin Santander. I’ve been playing well all the week. I’m really excited for the next couple of tournaments coming up these next weeks. I recently turned pro and my goal is to make some experiences here on the Alps Tour and even if I had some invitations to play on the Challenge Tour my main goal is to play well here on the Alps”.
A great results during these 3 days came from French amateurs Tom Vaillant, 20, in 7th position with a total of 208 (69-68-71) and for his compatriot Martin Couvra, 19, in 15th place with a total score of 209 (70-67-72).
Tomorrow, Friday 25th, it is time for the Sokhna Golf Club Pro Am with 18 teams on courses B+C, the same that will host the second stage of the 2022 Alps Tour Season from Sunday 27th to Tuesday 1st for the 2022 Red Sea Little Venice Open where Italian Luca Cianchetti will try to defend his title.
The Tour will then move to New Giza Golf Club on March 4th for the 2022 New Giza Open.
Final Results: 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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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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22nd February 2022 | Alps Tour Golf
Ein Bay Open 2022 – Pierre Pineau and Conor Purcell leading the field after day 1
February 22nd, Egypt, 2022 – A wonderful first day of golf along the coasts of the Gulf of Suez at the Sokhna Golf Club.
The 120 participants melted away their tensions and faced off each other under the sunshine and in almost perfect weather conditions.
Due to the rains of the past few days, the course was slightly different than last year when it was played in May and players had to adapt their game to those differences.
Two players are co-leading the Ein Bay Open after the first 18 holes with scores of 65 (-7): One is the French Pierre Pineau, 22 years old, who came second last year here at Sokhna GC.
He scored a total -7 thanks to 10 birdies, 6 on the front nine and 4 on the back nine, one bogey and one double bogey.
“I immediately started very aggressive and delivered 3 nice birdies in a row but unfortunately I made a double bogey at the fourth after finishing outside the green with a putter. I quickly recovered thanks to a few birdies and started putting really really well throughout the round. 3 times I nailed putters from 10 meters away”.
Irishman Conor Purcell also returned a brilliant card with the same 65 (-7) as Pineau. He got an invitation to play here at the Ein Bay Open after he had to withdraw from the Qualifying School last November due to a food poisoning.
Conor, who turned pro in 2019, said: “The course was pretty generous off the tee. I started slow my round and I took my chances when I could. I made a great eagle at the 8th and I’ve played the par 5s of the course 4 under par which is pretty great. I really loved some good iron shots I hit during this first day. I’m looking to play a lot this year and I really have to thank the Alps Tour for giving me the invitation to come here this week”.
Right behind the leaders there are three players tied at -6: Spaniard Juan Luis Sanchez Perez, Italian Gregorio De Leo and Englishman Jack Floydd.
Weather forecast for tomorrow gives slightly cloudy skies in the morning and clear skies in the afternoon with increasing temperatures compared to today. Deciding factor will be the wind gusts, expected up to 18 knots northbound.
Results Round 1: 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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21st May 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Spaniard Hidalgo grabs his first win at 2nd playoff hole
Angel Hidalgo’s moment finally arrived, although he had to fight for two extra holes against Frenchman Pierre Pineau before celebrating his first win on the Alps Tour and raise the 2021 Ein Bay Open trophy at Sokhna Golf Club. “I am very emotional right now as I have been chasing this win for a long time and I was really looking forward to demonstrating to myself in the first place that I was able to win an international tournament as a pro”, said the 23-year-old Spaniard from Malaga, who debuted on the Alps Tour in 2019 after winning the Qualifying School. “I started the day with a rather inconsistent game, in the front 9 I was missing all the fairways, but I was good recovering in the par 5’s where I had two birdies, and my caddie Nico Colomer was helping me a lot the whole round giving me confidence. Finally, I started driving straight from hole n. 11, and I hit good wedges to the greens, we made birdies on 11 and 12, then a stupid bogey on 14, a couple of good pars saved on 15 and 16, on 17 with Nico we decided to take the risk and attack, and it turned out well with an eagle that brought me to -5 for the day, -15 total. On the 18th I drove in the rough and had a bit of bad luck with the lie of the ball, I hit a flyer and unfortunately carded a bogey; then the two playoff holes went well – a par and a birdie – and I’m really happy about the outcome”.
On the first playoff on hole 18, both Hidalgo and Pineau missed their birdie putt, but on the second time, while Pineau found the rough from the tee, took a free drop and hit it over the green and went for a bogey, the Spaniard did not let his chance go and holed from about 3 metres for his final birdie.
“While on 2019, my first year on the Alps Tour, I played rather poorly, last year after making some technical changes I started having some results and although I did not win the Toscana Open last September – Matteo Manassero did – I demonstrated to myself that I was able to compete at a higher level, and I finished the season on 5th place in the Order of Merit. This year has started very well for me, with two 4th places in a row, and this week obviously I have been playing solid, too. The course is in great conditions, you need to adjust your putting a little because the grass is different over here, but I knew it as it is my third year, so it was no surprise. It was hot, no doubt, and that made things a bit more difficult for everybody, but you need to drink a lot of water – I think I’ve drank more water in these three days than in my entire life!!”.
Four players have shared the third position at -13, Spaniard Jacobo Pastor (66 today), Irishman David Carey (66), Thomas Thurloway from England (67) and Matias Calderon from Chili (68).
“This win is for my grandfather, my inspiration” concluded Hidalgo, who is the new leader of the Order of Merit with 2.151 points more than Italian Jacopo Vecchi Fossa, now on 2nd spot. “I’ve been thinking about him all week and even wrote ‘abuelo’ on my ball, he definitely gave me the motivation to my success”.
The Alps Tour remains at Sokhna GC for the second leg of the Egypt Swing which is going to start in only 2 days with the Red Sea Little Venice Open (May 23-25).
For the final results of the Ein Bay Open click here
For the Order of Merit, click here
20th May 2021 | Alps Tour Golf
Ein Bay Open, Joy and Pineau take the lead after second round
There was a changing of the guards on top of the leader board after the second round of the Ein Bay Open at Sokhna Golf Club, in Egypt, with a new duo leading at 133 (-11). Frenchman Pierre Pineau and Englishman Luke Joy signed respectively cards of 65 and 64 strokes, therefore jumping up from 9th and 21st position. They will tee off tomorrow at 10:55 local time for the final round with a one-stroke margin over Spaniard Angel Hidalgo Portillo, first round co-leader, who has been joined in third position at 134 (-10) by Frenchman Xavier Poncelet, author of a beautiful 66 (-6).
Joy, 32, from Dorset, England, benefited from an invite to the Alps Tour Egypt Swing tournaments and made the best use of it by carding the lowest round of the day, a bogey-free 64 (-8) with eight birdies perfectly shared between front and back nine. “I’m incredibly grateful to the Alps Tour for the invite to these tournaments. I am very happy about the chance I have been given, and I absolutely love being here in Egypt. The course is in great shape, I must say that my putting was very hot today and the course definitely fits my game”. Joy is an experienced player who turned professional in 2012 after a successful amateur career (he represented England Juniors), spends his winters training in Abu Dhabi and has won so far 8 Professional tournaments on different tours. While Pierre Pineau from Chartres, France, at 21 is one of the Alps Tour rising stars, playing in his second full season (last year he was stopped by an injury after only 2 tournaments) and finished 15th in the 2019 Order of Merit: “Obviously, it has been a good day for me, although I didn’t start at my best; I teed off from hole 10 and the putt were not going in; but then at the turn, on 17, 18 and 1, I made three birdies with short putts, and another nice birdie on the last hole after three-putting on hole n. 8. The course is good, and yes, it’s a bit hot out there, but it’s not that bad!”.
52 players including 10 amateurs made the cut, which fell at 142 (-2); among them stands out the name of Issa Nlareb, who finished his round with three birdies in the last four holes for a total of 141 (-3). The Cameroonian pro fell ill with bacterial meningitis in February 2018 during the Ein Bay Open; his life was saved, but the treatment for the septicaemia led to complications and the life-altering, partial amputation of some of his extremities. Last year, with prosthetics in place, the 30-year-old player, father of three, was back playing the tournament, declaring: “Even when I came out of the coma and couldn’t talk, I never stopped playing golf in my head. Even lying in the hospital bed, I was constantly thinking about the little white ball. I think it is what kept me alive and what has given me the strength of will to play again today.” Issa never stopped improving from that day, always showing an unbounded amount of positivity and extraordinary courage, and a lot of talent of course! In 36 holes, he marked a total of 8 birdies and 5 bogeys and tomorrow will play for his part of the 40,000 euros prize money and 45,000 overall points, with a cheque of 5,800 eu and 6,525 points for the winner.
For the results after the 2nd round click here or check the Alps Tour Golf app.
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.
