30th March 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
New Giza proves to be an excellent test with Frenchman Foret leading at -5
Although the first round could not be completed due to darkness – a couple of teams will have to finish tomorrow morning – we can already say that the verdict is unanimous : New Giza is a real gem, a spectacular course and a true test of golf.
Players are enthusiastic about the new venue chosen by Alps Tour for the New Giza Open, the second tournament of the March Winter Series, taking place in Cairo, Egypt. Only four months after its inauguration, New Giza Golf is hosting its first pro tournament, and although the severe weather conditions put to the test the players – especially those playing in the morning, with wind (and sand) blowing with gusts of 45 km/h – they all had words of praise for the work of art made by designer Tim Lobb.
While Spaniard Manuel Elvira was the best of the morning draw, at -3, scores improved a bit during the afternoon with the wind calming down, and Frenchman Julien Foret could take advantage of it by posting a spotless 67 (-5) with five birdies, which becomes the first record of the course. « When you score minus 5 in those hard conditions, you are satisfied by all means – said Foret, 36, winner of Open de Fes in 2006. « Everything worked really well for me from tee to green, and in the last five-six holes the wind was less strong; of course I could have done better, but I’m really happy. The course is outstanding, since I first came here I fell in love with it, the first practice day I’ve played 27 holes! Hats off to Alps Tour for choosing such a great venue, and to the designer for the fantastic job he did».
Alone in second position is Italian rookie Lorenzo Scalise, at -4 (one eagle, 5 birdies and 3 bogeys), also playing in the afternoon. « I’ve started solid with a birdie on the first hole, I knew I had to attack on the front nine because the strong wind was actually helping to reach the greens. I made a couple of stupid mistakes from the tee, a lack of concentration maybe, and I’ve hit fairway bunkers – something you really cannot afford to do here, but I’ve also made some 2-3 metres putts, something you cannot take for granted in the wind », conceded Scalise, 23, with a strong amateur career in the Italian team. « On the back nine I’ve played better, even if I left a couple of shots here and there ; I’m very happy with my 68, which would be a good score in the sunny weather and even more so today ». The course? «Fantastic and in great conditions, although it is very young ».
In third position at -3 (69), together with Elvira, are Italian Edoardo Lipparelli, Swiss Arthur Ameil-Planchin and Dutch Lars Van Meijel.
Final results of the first round will be finalised when the six players who had to leave the course due to darkness will play the last couple of holes, tomorrow morning at 7:00.
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22nd September 2018 | Alps Tour Golf
Migliozzi wins Abruzzo Open, his second victory this season
27th July 2018 | Alps Tour Golf
Foret enters final round as sole leader
France’s Julien Foret enters the final round of the Des Iles Borromées Open presented by Cashback tomorrow as leader with a total score of -13. Foret shot 3 under today to retain sole leadership of the tournament.
Foret is followed by Andrea Saracino (ITA) at one stroke behind (-12 total) and by Davey Porsius (NED) at -7 total.
Marcus Mohr (ENG) turned in the best card of the day at the Golf Des Iles Borromées at -7 and move ups to 4th place at -6 total.
« I’m rather satisfied with my score. 3 under is not a bad score considering today’s conditions. There was more wind than yesterday, it was very hot and some of the pins were pretty difficult. We had to be careful » Foret said. « It could have been a lot better if I had made some putts on the way back » he continued. « Tomorrow is another day, there is a nice challenge waiting for me. These are situations we like to be in, this is what we’re playing for » he concluded.
« Today was a good day, I’m very happy » Andrea Saracino said. « I made 3 under with 5 birdies and a stupid double bogey on hole 17 » the 24-year-old player from Rome explained. « I hope to play good tomorrow and to win my first professional tournament » he concluded.
« It was a very pleasant day, it was nice to get out early because it was a little bit cooler on the front 9 » Marcus Mohr said. « I was playing with Andrea Saracino who shot an amazing round yesterday, he was playing very steady today so it was easy to off feed from him, we were all hitting well, the group was playing well » he explained. « My girlfriend Amy is here, she was caddying me for the first time ever and it went well. For tomorrow, I’ve got to stay patiently agressive, there are some many birdies out there so I’ll try to shoot as low as I can » Mohr concluded.
53 players including 8 amateurs made the cut set at +1 and will play tomorrow’s final round.
Final round will tee off at 8h local time.
26th July 2018 | Alps Tour Golf
Julien Foret leads Des Iles Borromées Open
Frenchman Julien Foret turned in the best card of the day today at -10 at the Des Iles Borromées Open presented by Cashback.
Foret finished round 1 at the Golf Club Des Iles Borromées with an eagle, 9 birdies and a bogey.
He is followed by Andrea Saracino (ITA), who finished one stroke behind (-9). Four strokes behind Saracino is a group of three Frenchmen: Sam Testelin, amateur Clément Charmasson and Sébastien Gandon.
« I’m very satisfied after such a day during which I made lots of birdies and an eagle » 35-year-old Julien Foret said. « I started the day very well and I was able to stay focused throughout the round » he explained.
« I hit a lot of good shots, very good shots, I gave myself a lot of opportunities for birdies, I was able to materialize these birdies when the opportunities came up » he continued. « There is not much else to say, there are not a lot of shots to throw away at 10 under, it could have gone the other way, but today it went my way. There is another nice day coming up tomorrow, I’ll keep doing the best possible » he concluded.
« I had an easy day today, I made 10 birdies and a bogey » Andrea Saracino said. « The course is very good, the greens are fast, I made every putt from everywhere today » he explained.
Special mention to Javier Parada (ESP) who made a hole-in-one this afternoon. The spaniard used an iron 7 to cover the 155 meters between the tee and the pin on hole 16, a par 3. Parada finished tied for 14th place at -2 total.
Weather conditions were sunny with hot temperatures and some wind gusts in the morning.
Tomorrow’s first round 2 tee off is at 07h30 local time.
24th September 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Maiden win for Guido Migliozzi
Guido Migliozzi defeated two Frenchmen, Alex Daydou and Julien Foret in a play-off after thrilling day. The 20 year old player and his two opponents were -14 after 72 holes and had to play extra time. Migliozzi eventually lifted his maiden trophy in front of his public.
This last round of Abbruzzo Open was a tragedy. No less than 6 different leaders were in contention. Overnight leader, Gregory Molteni, turned first nine over par and then lost his chance to win ; meanwhile a pack of players did well leaving the club house and the swing of leaders started when coming back home. One of the first to reach -14 was Niccolo Quintarelli, then they were 5 ties for the lead then Antoine Rozner took command but dropped a shot on his last hole.
Julien Foret shared his last round with Daydou. The latter holed for birdie on the last to join his playing partner and Migliozzi at -14.
The top 5 is the following : 1st Ugo Coussaud (FR), 2nd Adria Arnaus (SP), 3rd Antoine Rozner (FR), 4th Lars Van Meijel (NL) and 5th Robin Roussel (FR).
2nd June 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
French duo Roussel and Foret to lead in Guadaloupe
French duo with Julien Foret, 34 and Robin Roussel, 23, took a two shot lead over a group of 4 players, Netherlands Rowin Caron, Italy’s Alessandro Grammatica, and Franc’es Thomas Elissalde and Erwan Vieilledent. The leading Frenchmen signed for 66 card, -5 on the course of Saint François Guadeloupe.
Roussel, who played his rookie season in 2016 on the Challenge Tour, said his goals are yet to be achieved.
« I am happy about this round. The season 2016 was not that bad on Challenge Tour, it was my first year and the average level was a little better there. I have been working quite well with Renaud Gris this winter and I started well in 2017. I refocused on mu assets, wedging, chipping and putting and it works so far. »
Julien Foret, former European Tour, explained how he enjoyed playing early in the morning as the wind was quite.
« A really great day as you can see the score is nice. I teed up early this morning so I took advantage of great conditions, during the first holes we did not have any wind so it helped. Then the wind started to blow quite strongly but I managed to roll important putts to stay in the pace. »
The projected cut is +2 after round 1.
13th October 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Marguery in command in Abruzzo Open
France’s Raphaël Marguery shot 64, -7 during first round of Abruzzo Open. He tamed the Miglianico golf course holing eight birdies and only dropping one shot on the 6th hole. England’s Tom Shadbolt and Julien Foret from France are one shot back.
Marguery who managed to qualify for European Tour S School stage 2 is more than motivated to finish in final Top 5 of Alps Tour Order of Merit. The 29 year old player from Versailles needs a win and a podium at least during these last two events to pretend to accomplish his goal but his level of game seems to suit his target.
Tom Shadbolt is closer in the ranking as his victory last month made him enter the top 5 but he needs to confirm his position with good results. The Englishman succeeded in passing the Stage 1 marathon.
David Berna and Stefano Pitoni are a shot further. The latter, 8th at the ranking, has a real chance to make his move. Franck Daux and Enrico Di Nitto, both in Top 5 are in good position to increase their earnings this week whereas Victor Perez, 88th, is in trouble to add some points to his current ranking at the Order of Merit.
The projected cut is level par.
2nd June 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Five way tie in Guadalupe
France’s Julien Forêt and England’s James Sharp (picture) shot 69, 2 under par par to take the lead after all morning players have completed their round. A group of three other players joined them at the end of the day. France’s Erwan Vielledent and Julien De Poyen and Itlay’s Federico Maccario shot 69 as well. The course defended itself very well as only 14 players beat the par during opening round of Open de Saint-François Guadeloupe.
Sharp had a two shot advantage with -4 until his last two hole. Unfortunately he dropped back to back shots on 8th and 9th to eventually signed for a 69 card. Forêt build his result on the back nine. He had a shy first part of round with a bogey on the third and no birdies but on the 10th, 13th and the last hole he holed for birdie to join the Englishman on top of the leaderboard.
A pack of nine players is one shot back. Among them, Dominique Nouailhac, fellow countrymen François Censier and Romain Bechu, Italy’s Corrado De Stefani and Swiss Marc Dobias. Bechu just had a week in London, invited by the European Tour during the BMW PGA Championship. He was live on Picadilly Circus’ big screen last friday to promote golf thanks to his tricks skills. The guy knows how to shoot low too.
The shot of the day is from Valerio Pelliccia who aced the 16th hole with a 5 iron shot. The player from Italy shot level par.
11th February 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Daux sealed maiden win in Sokhna
France’s Franck Daux sealed maiden win in Ein Bay Open. He signed for impressive 65, -7 to win with a 3 shot advantage over overnight leader, Julien Forêt. A group of 3 players tied for third place : England’s Matt Wallace, Spain’s Daniel Osorio and Enrico Di Nitto of Italy.
It was only slightly breezing today on Sokhna golf course and those fair playing conditions were perfect to expect low scores. Franck Daux took advantage not to be in the last group. He admitted it was a nice position to go for hunting the leaders. His target was very ambitious.
« I knew I was 3 shots back and I figured that Julien (Forêt) could shot -5 so my goal was -9. I started pretty well, I hit really solid iron shots and I managed to hole putts very soon. I made birdie on the 1st, third, 6th and 7th so I turned -4. I saw that I was tie with Di Nitto I think but they were 3 holes behind me.
I kept on saying to myself that it was not enough and I holed a hat trick of birdie from the 10th. Finally I holed two good putts, more then a meter at the end of the round and it could have been different if I had missed them.
I was 3 of 4 times in contention last year but it was too early. You know I almost quit golf 2 years ago but I gave myself one last chance and when I was leading last Spring in Spain it was to soon. Now I feel way more confident and that makes the difference. I am very happy with the work of my coach, Laurent Cabanne. We just came back from 2 weeks in the USA to practice and I am sure it was a big part of my success today. »
With this win, Daux earned an invitation to play the Egyptian Challenge Tour next April.
10th February 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Foret soars in Ein Bay Open
France’s Julien Forêt fired an amazing 67 in windy day during second round in Sokhna Golf Club. He leads the Ein Bay Open with -8 total one stroke better than Italy’s Enrico Di Nitto and two ahead Spain’s Daniel Osorio.
Experimented Forêt, 33, took the lead after 36 holes in Egypt. The windy was quite strong today on Sokhna golf course and the atmosphere was fresh. Former European Tour player from Neo Caledonia tamed the greens to signed for best score of the day.
« I played really solid, especially with this wind today. I made one or two mistakes but I managed to erase them with a strong putting. I am pretty satisfied with my game today. It was better than during first round. I had scored low though but the game was not that good.
I like very much the course. It is way more difficult with the wind, you have to strike the ball well and there is no room for luck. »
The course is in perfect conditions, greens pace is 10.4 and only the best players could deal with them. Forêt holed 7 birdies and only dropped 2 shots. There are only 2 others players who broke 70 today, Di Nitto, to secure a second position going into last round and fellow countryman Federico Maccario to climb to 6th position.
Tough playing conditions made the cut higher than expected, 42 players at +3.
