22nd October 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Arnaus Does the Double!
Credit: Tristan Jones.
Adria Arnaus ended the season in sparkling form coming from five shots behind to take the Grand Final title and create history as the first amateur to win Alps Tour Order of Merit at Golf Des Iles Borromees.
He shot his best round of the week, 65, to move to -14 for the tournament, then has a nervous wait while the last two groups finished their rounds. As it was, no one was able to match him over the final stretch and he was delighted to take his second win of the season.
“The Grand Final has been a really special event for me, coming here as number on in the Order of Merit, I just wanted to enjoy it and I definitely did that. The course condition was fantastic and I fell in love with the greens, I felt like the ball had a true roll of the time.”
Credit: Tristan Jones.
Arnaus, ranked 25th on the world amateur rankings, played 9 events on the Alps Tour this year, has managed four top ten finishes as well as his two victories and has now added a Challenge Tour card to his achievements this season.
“I started in the first event in Madrid, with no expectations came to have fun and compete, I ended up in a playoff and that gave me the chance to take part in the rest of the season and it has been amazing.”
Joint runner up, Christophe Koerbler of Austria, -12, recorded his highest ever finish on the Alps Tour, finishing his season with a faultless 65, which included four birdies and an eagle. His performance means he jumps nine places up the Order of Merit to be inside the top 30 giving him category 4 on the Alps Tour for next season. Leo Lespinasse also on -12 shot his second consecutive 69 to share second place with Koerbler and also record his highest finish of the year.
The top five players on the Order of Merit after the Grand Final all receive their Challenge Tour cards, and as it was today, the Order of Merit remained unchanged.
Congratulations to Adria Arnaus of Spain, Ugo Coussaud and Antoine Rozner of France, Lars Van Meijel of the Netherlands and Robin Roussel of France who will all be playing on the Challenge Tour next season.
Thanks a lot to the Golf des Iles Borromées for their wonderful hospitality. A special thank to the Federazione Italiana Golf and Italian Pro Tour for their strong support all year long and all the sponsors of the tournament.
15th June 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Sharp still in pole position in Italy
England’s James Sharp signed for 65, 5 under par, to lead by two shots over Netherlands’ Lars Van Meijel and Italy’ Marco Crespi.
Van Meijel set an early leading score when he fired 61 this morning enjoying a fresher air. He holed a few nice putts of 3 or 4 meters and made no mistakes. Since his win in February he had ups and downs on course but kept on training to recover the form he showed in Egypt.
The target was then settled at -11 for the overnight leader when he teed up in the afternoon. The Englishman had a shy front nine but eventually managed to relax and be more efficient.
« I struggled a little bit on the front nine, I was a little nervous. I made a silly bogey on the 7. I miss a birdie on the 8 but I ttok a really shot onto 10, I could have made eagle but from there I felt much more comfortable. This birdie definitively helped to relax.
I just felt better on the back nine, I can not really put my finger on why but Eventually I just get used to be in that situation, see the leaderboard with my name on it.
Lars can shoot low and I have been told that Marco is a multiple winner on Alps Tour and once on European Tour. I would like to play the same tomorrow as I played in the first two days. I picked some positions in the fairways when I leave myself short irons to the greens. It will be some pins tomorrow you can’t go for But if I can hole a couple of putts here and there. But playing with Lars and Marco will be fun. »
22nd May 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Inaugural Clément Ader Open to make history again
The Alps Tour is very pleased to be in France for the first time this season for inaugural Clément Ader Open. Owned by Ireland’s Tom O’Driscoll, the golf course has a great history to share.
Clément Ader (2 April 1841 – 3 May 1925) was a French inventor and engineer who was born in Muret , Haute Garonne (a distant suburb of Toulouse), and died in Toulouse. He is remembered primarily for his pioneering work in Aviation .
Using the studies of Louis Pierre Mouillard (1834–1897) on the flight of birds, he constructed his first flying machine in 1886, the Éole. It was a bat-like design run by a lightweight steam engine of his own invention, with 4 cylinders developing 20 horsepower (15 kW), driving a four-blade propeller. The engine weighed no more than 4 kg/kW (7 pounds per horsepower). The wings had a span of 14 m (46 ft). All-up weight was 300 kg (650 lb). On 9 October 1890 Ader attempted to fly the Éole. Aviation historians give credit to this effort as a powered take off and uncontrolled hop of approximately 50 m (160 ft) at a height of approximately 20 cm, (8 in).Ader also claimed credit for getting off the ground in the Éole.
This first flight happened on the first fairway of the 18 hole championship course. One of the most difficult in France, Rating Slope 139 SSS 73,2, the 6069 meter golf course will be a true challenge for Alps Tour players.
Last week winner, Lukas Nemecz and current Alps Tour leader Lars Van Meijel are obviously in the mood for a great week.
Source Wikipedia EN and www.golfclementader.com
4th May 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Orange domination in Spain
Lars Van Meijel of Netherlands confirmed his favorite status taking the lead after opening round in Alps de Las Castillas in Cabanillas Golf. The Dutch fired 65, -7 thanks to 8 birdies and one bogey to surge one shot of fellow countryman Rowin Caron.
A group of three players is two shots behind, Spain’s Marcos Pastor, England’s Liam Harper and former European Tour player, Jérôme Lando Casanova of France. The weather was perfect to shot low and with nearly 50 players under par, the course had some difficulties to defend itself.
A pack of 10 players with only one not from Spain, England’s Benjamin Wheeler, is -4 at 6th place. Among the nine Spaniards, young gun Lucas Vacarisas, 18, and experimented Carlos Balmaseda, 45.
Van Meijel closest challenger at the Alps Tour ranking, France’s Julien Brun, winner of the first event of the season, shot level par, tie for 49th. The projected cut is -1.
3rd May 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Alps de Las Castillas – Who to watch?
Alps Tour just made its first stop in Europe this week. Players traveled to Spain to attend the Alps de Las Castillas hosted by Cabanillas Golf in Guadalajara. The two 2017 winners, France’s Julien Brun and Lars Van Meijel will try to improve their ranking in the order of merit, respectively second and first.
The field is set to resume the season and some big names are to watch. France’s JB Gonnet, 7 full seasons on the European Tour, Spain’s Javier Colomo (picture), Asian Tour player since 2012. Javi made history at the 2015 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open when he shot the first ever hole in one at a par four hole on the Asian Tour, European Tour and Sunshine Tour during the second round. Swiss André Bossert, winner on the Senior in 2017, could be a serious challenger as well.
These experimented players will have to battle the young guns such as Lukas Vacarisas, 18, in contention in Egypt, France’s Antoine Rozner and Robin Roussel. The latter won the Open d’Arcachon in France 3 weeks ago.
The first tee is at 9h00 local time and the weather should be fair with temperature up to 25°C in the afternoon.
22nd February 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Van Meijel grabbed maiden win in Egypt
Dutch Lars Van Meijel grabbed maiden win in Egypt. He won the Red Sea Little Venice Open with -13 total thanks to last round 68. Italy’s Jacopo Vecchi Fossa was at same score with 2 holes to play but eventually dropped back to back shots on the 17th and the 18th hole.
Lars Van Meijel was already in contention last week but did not succeed in lifting the big silver cup. This experience was for sure a precious one as he showed nerves of steel as he was leading the way since tee 1.
The young player from Netherlands had up to a 5 shot advantage during the last round but Vecchi Fossa, in the second last group was chasing him birdie after birdie. Still, the suspense was only on the leaderboard but on course, Van Meijel was 4 shots better teeing off the last hole than the leader at club house. He dropped 2 shots on 18th but could celebrate a first title as pro.
“I started really well, I played really good on the front nine. I just made a silly on the par 5 8th and I made some good birdies again. I had a really poor tee shot on the last hole and I made double. I have to admit it was because of emotion going for a win.
Compare to big amateur competitions there are not that many difference. The level is very hgh the only thing is that you are playing for money and every shots counts.”
Vecchi Fossa finished at second place and Gerard Piris Mateu, first day leader, completed the podium.
Lars Van Meijel with this win and a 4th place last week, is currently leading the Alps Tour order of Merit with 6425 points. Julien Brun is only 215 points back, with a win and a 5th place. Jacopo Vecchi Fossa is third, Alexandre Daydou, 4th and the 5th place goes to Xavier Poncelet.
21st February 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Rookies Van Meijel and Vacarisas on top in Sokhna
Rookies are leading in Red Sea Little Venice Open. Dutch Lars Van Meijel and Spain’s Lucas Vacarisas (picture) are both -9 total after shooting respectively 66 and 69.
Van Meijel, member of the last victorious Palmer Cup, was in contention last week during the first event of the season. This experience can help him to improve his 4th recorded last week.
« It was really cold this morning but I started really well, I was 4 under through 6 holes. So I thought it would be a pretty low round. Afterward I did not hit that many good shots but that was good enough and the par 5 I birdied.
Tomorrow I am just gonna go play the same I have the last 5 rounds and we will see. It is fun here because there are a lot of players I played with as an amateur and there 3 Dutch guys so it doesn’t really change now that I am professional »
Vacarisas, 18, holed 6 birdies during his round but had some trouble on a couple of holes. He admitted he could feel the pressure of being on top of the leaderboard.
« My day was good but I was a bit nervous at the beginning of the round. But I tried to stay calm and be patient and after 4 holes I started to play my game. I hope I will be able to play the same tomorrow and to hole the putts same as today. There is one round left and if I manage to play my game I have a chance to win. »
Last week winner, France’s Julien Brun is tie for 18th place with -2 total.
16th February 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Brun claims maiden win as pro in Sokhna
France’s Julien Brun claimed maiden win as pro in Egypt. He signed for 69 final round to win by one shot the Ein Bay Open with -13 total. Compatriots Xavier Poncelet and Alex Daydou are ties for second. Brun had already won a pro event as an amateur in 2012 on Challenge Tour in France.
It has been ages since it was so cold and windy in Sokhna. Rain, wind and clouds were on the menu of the final round in Egypt. The joke of the day was that weather was better in Paris or Milan. Julien Brun had a very good start despite the tough conditions.
He holed for birdie on the first hole and gained two other shot on the par 5 7th and the 9th. Meanwhile in the last group, overnight leader Alex Daydou turned 38 after first nine. He admitted he made some mistakes here and there and did not putt as well as the previous two days. He holed for birdie on the last hole to finish second, a one thousand euro putt.
His playing partner rookie Lars Van Meijel played solid and was tie for the lead on the 15th when Brun dropped a shot but the Frenchman took advantage of the last par 5 of the course and holed for birdie on the 17th. Van Meijel dropped a shot there due to a bad tee shot and a 1,5 meter putt missed for par.
In the penultimate group, Xavier Poncelet climbed on the second step of the podium thanks to back to back birdie from the 16th.
Quotes :
Julien Brun
« I started well so it helped to feel more comfortable on the back nine even if i could feel the pressure about a win. I am so happy with this win at the beginning of the season.
I missed a very short putt on the 11th. It kind of knocked me out and I struggled to get back in the pace but what is done is done and I am very satisfied with this win.
I saw the leaderboard on the 15th when I dropped a shot. I realize that there were many guys not so far away and I needed to finish well because they could finish with a hat trick of birdies. I gave myself chances, I had 3 birdies opportunities and I holed one on the 17th.
Alex Daydou
« All in all it was a good though. I played pretty well today compared to the past 2 days but I did not hole as many putts unfortunately but it happens, that is the game. I played par today, a bit disappointed with the way I started the day. It was brutal with the wind and the rain. I did what I could and I made a few mistakes here and there. On the back nine, I played really better and I managed to holed two birdies. »
Xavier Poncelet
« When I woke up this morning I saw it was very windy so I knew it would be tough conditions. I did not look too much at the leaderboard but I saw the one on the 15th and it helped me to play to some nice shots and to finish well.
I am happy because I have been working nicely with my coach -my brother- this winter. We worked less but better I think and I do lots of sports and it seemed to be the right thing. »
From Sokhna Golf Club
Agathe Séron
15th February 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Daydou storms clear in Egypt
France’s Alex Daydou fired back-to-back 66, -12 total to take late two shot lead at Ain Bay Open over fellow countrymen France’s Julien Brun, Léo Lespinasse and Dutch Lars Van Meijel.
It was a fresh and windy day on the banks of the Red Sea. Those who played early in the morning could have taken advantage of quitter conditions but none of them shot low and the surprise came at the end of the afternoon with the 20 year old player from Reunion island.
« It was so weird, I felt not comfortable at all with my driver but under 120 meters and on greens it was like I could not miss anything. But reference to the score, it was a very good day and I am just enjoying it. I had a very solid finish. On 16th, I hit a 5 iron from the tee, and holed 5 meters downhill.
On the par 5 17th, for once, I hit a good tee shot but I miss the green on the left, in the bunker. I made a poor bunker shot but again, I holed about 5 meters. And on the 18th, I played this hole safe with a 5 iron from the tee and hit my wedge 3 meters from the pin and holed it again.
When I read the green I chose a line and when I took my stance I was saying to myself – no, it is not going this way – I changed and put as I felt and it fell, Incredible! »
The young Frenchman will played in the last group in the hunt for a maiden win as pro with rookie from Netherlands, Lars Van Meijel. He turned pro last November.
« I had a bad start. I wanted to take advantage of the lack of wind early in the morning but I was over par after 6 holes. Then eventually, it went better. But today, pins positions were harder than yesterday and I am happy with my score. »
From Sokhna Golf Club
Agathe Séron
14th February 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Brun set the pace in Ain Bay Open with opening 64
France’s Julien Brun set the pace in Ain Bay Open with a eight under par card. He scored a flawless 64 on Sokhna course BC, one shot clear over a group of 3 players, Dutch Lars Van Meijel and France’s Léo Lespinasse and Charly Russo.
Fair conditions this morning for the leader as the wind only picked up during a couple of hours during lunch time. Julien Brun, one of the new French talent, had a brilliant day.
« Really nice to start the season like this. I struggled a bit on back nine but I putted very well so it helped. Everything went right today and my putting was excellent. The course is fair, open, there are many wedge shots to the green. Greens are in excellent shape and I knew I had to go the lowest I can and I managed to do this today.
The key today was the putting, I holed some crucial ones on back nine to stay in the pace. I saved pars and holed long ones for birdies. We had good conditions playing in the morning with non wind but I really like to play in the wind so I am looking forward to play tomorrow. The course will be very funny to play in the wind. »
Eventually the afternoon was quite calm as far as weather was concerned but it was pretty hot on the 7th. France’s Léo Lespinasse holed his first Albatross ever. After nice tee shot, he hit a 5 iron, straight in line and it was rolling on the green, he playing partner, Antoine Rozner shout « Get in ! »
« We saw the ball rolled and then it stopped and we could still see it so I thought I missed it, again. Yes again because, I was close a couple of time to hole for an albatross. We were chatting with my partners then, after a few seconds, we looked at the green and did not see it. A referee was at the green and told us that the ball stayed a few second by the stick and then eventually fell in the hole.
I did not jump nor shout and I managed to stay focus until the end. I holed nice putts and I did some mistakes too but it was a nice day. »
Same score for Netherlands’ Lars Van Meijel, 22, with 8 birdies and one bogey. He turned pro last November, was a member of the winning team in the last Palmer Cup and decided to come and play on Alps Tour because he ”likes France and Italy”.
« I played well, I dropped a shot on the third hole but yes but in general, good wedge shots, I hit the fairways. It was really windy during the practice round and I knew the guys on Pro Golf Tour a couple weeks ago shot really low and I couldn’t see scores like this with the wind but today, the wind went down a little bit. »
From Sokhna Golf Club
Agathe Séron
