Hesbois sealed victory on home soil

Belgium’s amateur Kevin Hesbois  with Flory van Donck daughter and granddaughter

Belgium’s Kevin Hesbois claimed his maiden win in a pro tournament. He scored one under par today, enough to grave his name on Flory Van Donck trophy with -5 total. At second place ties, one shot behind, French duo Xavier Poncelet and Clement Berardo. Berardo, who teed off early, signed for flawless 66, 5 under par to take early club house lead. Berardo had a really nice start this season in Egypt with two podium and ever since had struggled with his game. He seems to have recovered his good form.

Poncelet was also in contention two weeks ago and for sure the player from Bordeaux is in good form. It was a long distance battle with Hesbois as Poncelet did not play in same group. Rodiles, overnight co-leader had a poor day in the last group as he scored five over par and was never a threat to his playing partner.

The turn of the match was on 14^th when Hesbois holed for birdie as the Frenchman have had a par a few minute earlier. This birdie was the seal of second win in a row on home soil for Hesbois as he won Trophy of Flanders last week.

With this podium, the Alps Tour ranking did not change but Kevin Hesbois, even is he did not get a check, earned the winner points, 5800 and jumped top 17^th place.

Hesbois and Rodiles in command

Belgian amateur Kevin Hesbois (c) Agathe Séron

Belgium’s amateur Kevin Hesbois and experimented Spaniard Carlos Rodiles are in command at -5 in Flory Van Donck Trophy. France’s Xavier Poncelet and England’s Josh Loughrey are on their toes one shot behind.
Hesbois, 23 year old, is playing on Alps Tour to test his game and to learn his job. He has a great support from the Fédération Royale Belge de Golf and he is doing quite well since the beginning of the season. His game became sharper and sharper and he have just won on home soil Trophy of Flanders last week.
Should he manage to keep his momentum during last round,he could walk in Hugues Johannes’ paces tomorrow by claiming the trophy.

But the competitor behind him is not a spring chicken. Rodiles, former European Tour player, won the Gecko Tour ranking and could lean on his experience to try to grab his maiden Alps Tour victory. Despite his colourful front nine, from 10^th to 18^th, with two double bogeys, one birdie and one par, he managed to sign for 72 thanks to three birdies coming back to the club house.

Poncelet and Loughrey will be the men to watch as well. The latter recorded a third place last week in Madrid and the Frenchman had a runner up place two weeks ago in France.

The cut felt at +4.

Duo to lead in Belgium

Italy’s Cristiano Terragni (c) Agathe Séron

Alps Tour winner, Cristiano Terragni and former European Tour player, Spain’s Carlos Rodiles both signed for great minus 6 opening round. Terragni, 23 year old had his only win in 2011 and so far did not manage to confirm. But this week could change his career.

He fired perfect round today without any dropped shot on the beautiful golf course of 7 Fontaines. The defending champion, Belgium Hugues Johannes who won last edition in 2012, is currently playing on the Challenge Tour and the winner before him in 2011, Marco Crespi is on the main Tour. This Flory Van Donck trophy is a kind of good luck charm for who can grave his name on it.

The leaders are two strokes ahead of French duo, former Challenge Tour player, Alan Bihan and rookie Leo Lespinasse.

Alan Bihan, 31 year old and triple winner on Alps Tour, recorded his best results in 2010 when he had finished in top 5 of Alps Tour ranking. Lespinasse, 19 year old, is playing his first full season on Alps Tour. One stroke back, a group of four players including a man in very good form during past two weeks, Borja Etchart. He just had an excellent week in Madrid where he finished on the second step of the podium and in France a fortnight ago where he recorded a fourth place.

Sunny week in Belgium

The Sept Fontaines Golf Club welcomes the Flory van Donck Trophy for the second time this week. All players are unanimous about the great quality of the course and facilities.

Thanks to the Royal Belgian Golf Federation, promoter of the event and all official partners: Volvo Sterckx, Be TV, Velu Vins, JeanVerheyven, Creaset, Id Event, Golf 7 Fontaines and all suppliers.

Yesterday, the amateurs invited to play the Partners’ pro-am were happy to share eighteen holes with our Members. The team of Carlos Balmaseda won it.

Today, 138 players, including 47 Belgian will dispute the first round from 7.30 am.

(c) Melebeck Photography

A little more about Flory van Donck

This year marks the 102th anniversary of Flory van Donck’s birth. He was a great Belgian professional player during the last century.

His career started in the thirties and counts more than fifty victories. He had been the recipient of the prestigious Harry Vardon Trophy in 1953 as Player of the Year for his record of seven victories in a year. His most emblematic performances are the following:
– Twice Individual World Champion (1955 and 1960)
– Twice Runner-up in The Open (1956 and 1959)
– 25 victories in different European Opens, including 6 times the Belgian Open, 5 times in Netherlands Open, 4 times the Italian Open, 3 times the French Open…)

He also dedicated a large part of his life to transmitting his knowledge and his passion. He had been involved with several golf clubs in Belgium and Switzerland and was the coach of the German national team during fifteen years.

In tribute to him, several competitions are organized in Belgium and abroad. For nearly 20 years, the ‘Flory van Donck Pro-Am’ opens the week of the Omega European Masters in Crans Montana. And from 2011, the Alps Tour event in Belgium is entitled to him.