14th July 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Last Chance for Q School exemption
Servizitalia Open 2015 is the last tournament to get an exemption to play directly the European Tour Q School Stage 2 for the Top 6 – six. All tournaments matter in the ranking but this week in Italy, near Venice, is something special for Alps Tour members.
The Top 6 of the Alps Tour Order of Merit will earn a precious season pass for the Stage 2 of the European Tour Q School. Currently, the lucky ones are Harry Casey, Damien Perrier, Josh Loughrey, Léo Lespinasse, Matthieu Pavon and Andrea Meastroni.
The latter won the order of merit in 2004 and managed to enter the top 30 in the Q School final to play an full season on European Tour. None of the other players ever played on main Tour but the statistics are in favour of those who avoid the stage 1. All the Alps Tour members who managed to obtain their card the past three years, did not have to play stage 1.
Hot weather is expected in Venice area this week and the famous ranking is to be announced after last round on Friday afternoon.
28th June 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Second win for Casey
28/06/2015. AlpsTour 2015. 2015 Open International De La Mirabelle D’Or, Golf de La Grange aux Ormes, Metz, France June 25-28. Harry Casey of England with his trophy. Credit: Tristan Jones
Harry Casey shown nerves of steel by winning his second title of the season in France thanks to final round 67 and -15 total. France’s Damien Perrier caught second place with flawless 64 and England’s James Sharp finished third on his own.
“I have to admit I did not sleep well last night, I was nervous. Even coming with the leading shotS at the end of the round I did not feel that comfortable. On the last hole, I missed the fairway and I had a bad lie so I had to lay up because of the water, I could not hit the green. But Now I feel excited and happy.”
His playing partner, Spain’s Eduardo Larranaga was his closest opponent as they teed off but unfortunately for the Spaniard, his game was not as accurate as during the previous days. He dropped 4 shots in three holes from the 12th and lost all hope to come back in contention.
The best score of the day came from Damien Perrier. The player from Britanny confirmed his good form. He had qualified to play the Alstom Open de France on main Tour last Monday after 36 holes and he signed for stunning 64 to finish second by his own.
With this win, Harry Casey took the pole position on Alps Tour ranking. Damien Perrier is second followed by Léo Lespinasse, then comes Matthieu Pavon and Josh Loughrey.
27th June 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Casey and Larranaga neck and neck
Harry Casey Credit: Tristan Jones
England’s Harry Casey will play again with Spain’s Eduardo Larranaga for last round in Open International de la Mirabelle d’Or. After moving day, Casey has a one shot advantage with -12 total.
The tournament this week is a 4 day event which is not so common on the Alps Tour. Harry Casey teed off with -10 and it took him 4 holes to hole his first birdie. His playing partner, Eduardo Larranaga started the round with -9 and did his first birdie on the same hole. But the latter managed for the first time to come back square as he holed a birdie on the fifth hole.
The answer came really quick on the next hole. Casey earned a shot and Larranaga dropped one on the 8th.
Meanwhile, Open de Saint François winner, Italy’s Andrea Maestroni started the day with burning putter. He holed on birdie the third, then for eagle on the fourth and another birdie came on the eighth. He had another eagle on his back nine and eventually signed for the best score of the day, 64 to go to -10 alongside Spain’s Daniel Osorio.
On the way to the club house, the last group were square a second time on the 13th as the Spaniard holed for birdie there he dropped two shots in a row from 15th and despite a bogey for Casey on the last green, he took the final lead by his own.
26th June 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Harry Casey half way leader
Harry Casey of England Credit: Tristan Jones
England’s Harry Casey fired 65, 6 under par to take a one shot lead at -10 in Open International de la Mirabelle d’or over overnight leader Eduardo Larranaga. A duo are 2 shots back, defending champion France’s Jean-Pierre Verselin and England’s Jean-Michel Hall.
Casey won his maiden title in Austria last May and he only dropped one shot on the 18th hole, his ninth of the day. But he did very well going back home in 31 with 4 birdies. Larranaga had a quieter day than during first round. No eagle today – he had 2 during first round – , but 3 birdies and one bogey to sign for 69, -2.
Another Englishman had a solid round, James Sharp recorded 66 to aggregate -8 total tie with France’s Léo Lespinasse who scored 67. Alps Tour Josh Loughrey missed the cut fixed at -2 and there will be for sure a new Alps Tour leader on Sunday evening.
