22nd December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Bradley Bawden Wins 2019 Q School
Malaga (Spain), December 22, 2019 – The sun finally returned to the Costa del Sol allowing the players to finish the 36 holes of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School here at La Cala Resort. And the sun was obviously smiling on Bradley Bawden, the English player from Essex, who held onto his lead from the first round and finished top of the leader-board at -9 (134).
Bawden finished Round 1 at -8 (63) on the America course on Thursday and completed the tournament with a -1 (71) today on the Asia course. He described the fact that it took three days to finish the last round due to the meteorological conditions as “mentally challenging” but explained: “Being from England I’ve got lots of experience with bad weather so its nothing I haven’t seen before. You may get some bad breaks, but you just need to stay positive. Its all about staying strong mentally”.
And Bawden did just that with two birdies and two bogeys on the front nine for a par 36 over the first two days of the round when weather conditions were at their worst and three birdies and 2 bogeys on the back nine today for a -1 (35). His win earns him full membership (category 6) for the 2020 Alps Tour.
Just behind him at -8 (135) for the 2 rounds was the Portuguese player, Tomas Bessa Guimaraes. This was his second Q School having finished 80th last year and having played seven out of the sixteen 2019 Alps Tour tournaments. His final round on the America course started with a +2 (37) as a single and double bogey effectively cancelled out his one birdie of the outward nine. However, he bounded back on the inward nine with three birdies and not a single bogey in sight for a -3 (33).
Three players tied for third position at -6 (137). The former European Tour and Challenge Tour player, Edouard Espana from France, had said his aim was to finish in the top 35 at the Q School. Mission accomplished and we look forward to seeing him back on the Alps Tour in 2020. Alongside him was Ryan Lumsden from Scotland who obviously handled the familiar bad weather conditions with a -4 (67) on the America course for his second round after his -3 (69) on the Asia course. Joining him is the English amateur, Laurie Owen who mirrored his GB compatriot’s results for the two rounds.
Rounding out the top ten finishers were four players tied in sixth position at -6 (137) Daniel Berna Manzanares from Spain, Harrison Woan from England, Augustin Hole from France and Kevin Esteve from Andorra. Whilst at -5 (138) in tenth position were three players, Blaire McKeithen from the USA, Tiago Cruz from Portugal, and Victor Pastor Ruffian from Spain.
The final qualifying score was par (143) with 10 players tied at 32nd place for a total of 41 achieving their full membership for the coming Alps Tour season, of which 32 are professionals and 9 are amateurs.
The official 2020 Alps Tour season kicks off in Egypt with the Winter Series Ein Bay Open from 18th to 20th February followed by the Red Sea Little Venice Open from 23rd to 25th February both at Sokhna Golf Club in Egypt.
Looking forward to another year of great golf from the rising stars on the Alps Tour!
Results Final Stage 2019 Qualifying School: click here
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21st December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Q School Final Stage Reduced To 36 Holes
Malaga (Spain), December 21, 2019 – The exceptionally bad weather conditions continued today for Round 2 of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School here at La Cala Resort. Tee-off was delayed this morning due to the course being water-logged after another night of non-stop rain.
Play finally started at 12:00 but another severe weather front rolled in and play was suspended for the day at 13:18 as the cumulative rainfall made the Asia and America courses unplayable.
As a result, Round 3 of the Qualifying School has been cancelled. Instead, the tournament will be decided over 36 holes.
Tee-off times are planned as of 9:15 tomorrow morning, 22nd December and if the sunny forecast holds true, players will complete their second round.
Thus, at the conclusion of the 36 holes, the leading 35 players (and those players tied on the final qualifying place score) will be ranked according to score. Players holding these positions will be eligible for membership in Category 6 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season.
Players finishing between the 36th and the 65th position will be eligible for membership in Category 8 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season.
Players between the 66th and the 144th position will be eligible for membership in Category 9 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season.
Results Round 1 and partial Round 2 Final Stage: click here
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20th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Q School Final Stage Round 2 – Weather Disrupts Play
Malaga (Spain), December 20, 2019 – After a night of non-stop rain, the downpour let up to allow play to tee off as planned at 9:15 for Round 2 of the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School here at La Cala Resort. However, it was a short respite as the heavens opened again at 11:00 and play was suspended.
Players had to cool their heels until play resumed at 14:45 with a light but steady rain making for less than favourable conditions. The rain gradually increased in intensity until at 16:05 after just over an hour of play, the decision was made to suspend the game due to the water-logged conditions.
The old maxim of ‘the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain’ seemed a bit of a misnomer as over 30mm of rain have fallen in the past 18 hours in this coastal region of Malaga.
Play will resume tomorrow morning at 9:00 with the weather promising overcast skies and some light showers.
Should the weather hold, the players will terminate Round 2 with the different flights having between 8 and 16 holes to finish to complete the 36 holes when the cut of the leading 65 players and those players tied on the final qualifying place score will be made.
Results Round 1 Final Stage: click here
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19th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
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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17th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Q School First Stage Final Results for Asia Course
Malaga (Spain), December 17, 2019 – With played completed on the Asia course of La Cala Resort, the final 31 qualifiers for the Final Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School have been confirmed.
Top of the leader board was a clean sweep for France with three amateurs positioned first, second and third. Théo Brizard finished on top with a -7 (137) for his two rounds followed by Oscar Desclaux -5 (139) and Thibault Santigny -4 (140).
A total of 75 players have qualified for the Final Stage; 29 players from the America course and 15 from the Europa course who qualified yesterday and the 31 Asia course qualifiers of today. They join the 66 players with exemptions who automatically qualified directly for the Final Stage to give a field of 144 players.
It is a truly international field that will take to the fairways on Thursday 19th December with a total of 26 nationalities. The European continent has a strong showing with 31 Spanish, 27 French, 20 Italian and 12 Austrian players whilst the United Kingdom has 18 participants. The countries of origin span the world from New Zealand to North America.
The field of 144 players will all play two rounds; one each on both the Asia and America Courses on 19th and 20th December.
After these 36 holes, the field will then be cut to the leading 65 players, and those players tied on the final qualifying place score, who will then play one further round on the Asia course on 21st December.
At the end of the 54 holes the 35 top scoring players, plus those tied on the final qualifying place score, will be eligible for full membership of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season (Category 6).
Those players who made the cut of 65 and who finish in 36th to 65th position will be eligible for membership in Category 8 of the Alps Tour for the 2020 season. Whilst those finishing from 66th to 144th position will be eligible for Category 9 membership. These last two categories will be reranked mid-season according to their official Money Winnings on the Alps Tour Order of Merit 2020.
Weather conditions for the Final Stage look rather damp with rain forecast from Thursday through Saturday. But that shouldn’t dampen the spirits of the multi-national field of golfers all highly motivated to go out and get their place on the 2020 Alps Tour.
Final Result Asia Course: click here
Entries Final Stage: click here
Stay tuned! www.wp-alpstour.ocs-sport.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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16th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Q School First Stage Final Results for America & Europa Courses
Malaga (Spain), December 16, 2019 – A tense finish to the First Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School as play was suspended due to darkness on the Asia course at La Cala Resort. The final results will be confirmed tomorrow after a play-off for the last qualifying spot available plus the first reserve position.
No play-off was necessary on the America course with 29 players in total qualifying for the Final Stage of the Qualifying School. Heading the leader-board was the professional German player, 33-year-old Constantin Schwierz, who carded an impressive -9 (62) for the day to give him a total of -8 (134) for the two rounds following his +1 (72) of the first round. Yesterday’s leaders also came through to qualify. The amateur Thomas Thurloway from England had a par score of 71 today to give him an overall -4 (138) for the 36 holes and sixth place. The Spanish amateur, Inigo Carmona Ybarra, finished in joint ninth position after a +3 (74) today following on from his earlier -4 (67) for an overall -1 (141).
The Europa course produced 15 qualifiers for the Final Stage without the need of a playoff and it was the amateur player, Daniel Hebenstreit from Austria who topped the board at -7 (135) for the two days with a -5 (66) today and a -2 (69) yesterday. Ben Bailey from England who topped the board yesterday dropped down a place to second with a +2 (73) for the day which added to his -5 (66) of the previous round gave him a total -3 (139) and easily secured him a qualification.
On the Asia course yesterday’s leader, Théo Brizard , the amateur French player remained on top with a total of -7 (137) after his rounds of -5 (67) and -2 (70). The official final results will be issued tomorrow, December 17th, on completion of play.
The weather forecast remains clement but light rain showers are possible in the morning.
Final Result First Stage America Course: click here
Final Result First Stage Europa Course: click here
Stay tuned! www.wp-alpstour.ocs-sport.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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15th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Q School First Stage Round 1 Results
Malaga (Spain), December 15, 2019 – In near perfect weather conditions with just a slight breeze this morning that gave way to calm conditions later in the day and under blue skies and sunshine, round one of the First Stage of the Alps Tour 2019 Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Malaga, Spain drew to a close with some excellent results from the leaders on each course.
Out on the Europa course Ben Bailey, the 21-year-old English professional golfer, carded a 66 (-5) with 4 birdies and an eagle that more than compensated for his one bogey of the round. Just the top four players shot under par on the course today.
Over on the Asia course, Théo Brizard must have found the climatic conditions similar to his home club of Saint Donat on the French Riviera as he came into the clubhouse with a 67 (-5). The top nine players came in under par.
Whilst on the America course, two amateurs are currently sitting at the top of the leader-board at 67 (-4). Inigo Carmona Ybarra from the widely reputed Real Club la Moraleja in Spain. Joining him is Thomas Thurloway, the 2018 English Amateur Champion from Chartham Golf Club in Sussex . Seven players in total came in under par.
Tomorrow will be the decisive day for the 75 players who make the cut to head on to the Final Stage of the Qualifying School from 19th to 21st of December.
Results Europe Round 1: click here
Results America Round 1:click here
Results Asia Round 1:click here
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14th December 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Q School First Stage Tees Off Tomorrow
Malaga (Spain), December 14, 2019 – This year’s Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Malaga, Spain, sees 181 entrants from 22 different countries vying for one of the 35 places that will give them a full category (category 6) for the Alps Tour 2020 season.
110 professionals and 71 amateurs from across Europe, Asia and the Americas will tee off for the First Stage at 9:15 local time, tomorrow morning, 15th December. Play will be over 2 days, counting 36 holes on 3 different courses.
The three hillside, championship courses at La Cala Resort are all Cabell Robinson designed with each one posing its own unique challenges.
The oldest of the courses, the Asia Course is a 5925 metre, par 72 with four demanding par 5’s. The course requires precision play especially on the approach shots with several elevated greens and strategically placed greenside bunkers.
Small, elevated greens are also one of the features of the America Course, a 6009 metre, par 72 with five par 5s. Wider fairways make it relatively easier for driving than the Asia Course but the multiple changes in elevation and need for plenty of carry add their own difficulties. The view from the par 3 elevated 16th tee is breath-taking, with a vista over the whole resort and across the countryside as far as the coast.
The Europa Course, whilst still hilly, has slightly larger greens and flatter topography than its sister courses. The River Ojén wends its way across the course coming into play on eight of the holes and cutting across three of the fairways. The river runs along the right hand side of the signature hole 14 which plays to the maximum limit for a par 3 at 233 metres.
Those players making the cut at the end of the 36 holes will play the Final Stage of the Qualifying School from 19th to 21st December over 54 holes on the America and Asia courses.
With the weather forecast promising sunshine, a gentle breeze and temperatures in the mid to high teens, all that remains is to wish all the aspiring golfers, our future rising stars to enjoy their rounds and keep it in the short stuff!
Entries America Course: click here
Entries Asia Course: click here
Entries Europa Course: click here
Stay tuned! www.wp-alpstour.ocs-sport.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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26th October 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Federico Maccario Wins Alps Tour Grand Final 2019
Rome (Italy), October 26, 2019 – Under the clear blue skies of the Lazio region in Italy, here at the Terre dei Consoli Golf club, after a battle of the Titans, Federico Maccario topped the leader board at -14 (274) over 72 holes to win the Alps Tour Grand Final 2019.
His first reaction was, Maccario:” I’m really happy. My game was really solid through to hole 18. I’ve lost some competitions this year and I really wanted to have a good result today.”
Indeed, with just one bogey and six birdies for a final round 67 (-6), Maccario’s victory also moves him up to fourth place on the Order of Merit, putting him in the top five players and thus earning him a full Challenge Tour category for next season.
In joint second place at -13 (275) was Edoardo Lipparelli from Italy, Julien Forêt from France and Lukas Nemecz from Austria.
In fifth place at -12 (276) was Edgar Catherine and his French compatriot, Frédéric Lacroix, was just behind him in sixth position with -11 (277).
Throughout the day the top of the leader board constantly changed, but as the players headed down the back nine, the final six players fought tooth and nail right down to the line.
First into the clubhouse was Edgar Catherine who carded an incredible 63 (-9) today with a total of 11 birdies for 2 bogeys. As he left the recording area, his overall -12 still left him in contention.
Next in was Edoardo Lipparelli who as he signed his card for a 68 (-4) for the round, left him as joint leader at -13 overall.
His hopes were dashed as Federico Maccario in the flight behind him birdied the 18th to come in at -14. His playing partner, Julien Forêt, did par on the last hole to finish an overall -13.
The question on everyone’s lips was whether or not Lukas Nemecz at -13 would force a play-off as the final flight headed down the 18th fairway. His four birdies and an eagle on the back nine made it a strong possibility.
It was not to be. Par it was and the roars of congratulations rang round the club house as Federico Maccario was crowned champion of the Alps Tour 2019 Grand Final.
After the distribution of the points, this year’s Order of Merit sees Edoardo Lipparelli in first place, followed by his compatriot Enrico Di Nitto in second. Third place goes to Frédéric Lacroix with Federico Maccario next. The four rookies are joined by the Austrian, Timon Baltl to make up the five players moving on to the Challenge Tour in 2020.
After a compelling culmination to the 2019 season all eyes now turn to the Qualifying School at La Cala Resort in Malaga, Spain from the 15th to 21st of December 2019.
Final results: click here
Stay tuned! www.wp-alpstour.ocs-sport.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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14th August 2019 | Alps Tour Golf
Dates for Qualifying School 2019 and new entry process announced
The Alps Tour is pleased to announce that La Cala Resort will be, for the 8th time, the host of the Qualifying School scheduled from December 15 to 21, 2019.
It is with great pleasure that Alps Tour will organize its Qualifying School First Stage and Final Stage once again in this great resort, only 39 km from Malaga airport, in the South of Spain. La Cala Resort offers wonderful facilities, hotel on site, great practice range and 3 championship golf courses: America, Asia and Europa.
The First Stage is scheduled on December 15th and 16th over 36 holes, and the Final is to be played on the 19th, 20th and 21st of December over 54 holes. As last year, the Final Stage will be played on Asia & America courses.
The Top 35 will obtain a full category (category 6) to play the 2020 Alps Tour events.
The entry deadline for the First Stage is November 15th (November 25th for the Final Stage). Entries are now open; please note that the Alps Tour has introduced a new entry process this year for the Qualifying School. This will require entrants to pay the entry fee before filling in and submitting the application: HERE.
All info are published in the Qualifying School section on our website, together with hotel, transfers & trolleys booking forms.
La Cala Resort, Spain
Accommodation: La Cala Resort is glad to welcome all participants in the La Cala Hotel on site with special offers, including a shuttle service between Malaga airport and La Cala Resort. All details and booking forms are available for download on the entry form page.
