6th July 2017 | Alps Tour Golf
Neumayer stormed clear in Brittany
Autria’s Bernard Neumayer signed for opening round 66, -6 in Saint Malo Golf Open. The 26 year old player holed 8 birdies including hat trick from the 13th. The golf course, designed by Hubert Chesneau, also designer of Golf National, has pleased the players and more than 50 players shot under par today. The weather was perfect and warm in Brittany.
« It was a solid round, said Neumayer, I had no big mistakes. I was playing on Pro Golf Tour and I decided to play on Alps tour and I like it. »
On his toes, a pack of 5 players is one shot behind, Spain’s Jesus Legarrea, Italy’s Andrea Saracino, Austria’s Uli Weinhandl and France’s Victor Veyret and Leo Lespinasse, 2016 Alps Tour winner, was very happy with his game today.
« It’s a really good 67. It was cool. I had a safe day, I hit lots of fairways and also plenty of greens. When I missed my chipping was solid. I was solid on the pars 5 as well. »
The projected cut is -2.
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
8th September 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Grégoire Schoeb to lead in Preisch
French amateur Grégoire Schoeb took the lead after opening 65 at Citadelle Trophy International-Golf de Preisch. The 23 year old from Metz, east of France, confirmed among the pros his good season as amateur. After wirst injury last winter, he had to stop playing for a while. One of his best result this year is a win at La Mouchy, prestigious tournament in Fontainebleau (France), end of April.
The Pole France member had eight birdies today and dropped only one shot on the 10th hole. The first pro, one shot back, is Léo Lespinasse. The player from Biarritz is recording his best season on Alps Tour so far. Last May, he won the Open de Saint François Guadeloupe and his goal is to finish in final top 5 this season. He needs a win to jump to cross the limit. He is currently ranked 10th. He had a flawless round of 66.
Another amateur completes the podium alongside a group of 4 pros, Julien Coupade. The later finished in Top 10 during Open de La Mirabelle d’Or played on his home course. He honored his invitation with very solid 68, -4.
Alps Tour leader, multiple winner this season, Matt Wallace, struggled to get back on tracks. He shot shy 73 for 36th position tie.
4th June 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Lespinasse sealed maiden in Open de Saint François Guadeloupe
France’s Léo Lespinasse sealed maiden win as professional defeating David Morago after first extra hole. Lespinasse, 21, shot 70 today to join Morago at -6 and managed to improve 2015 results in Guadalupe as he was runner up.
It was a three man group teeing off this morning but local favorite, Julien De Poyen, struggled a lot on course during this final round and never found the right rhythm to stay in contention. Léo Lespinasse and Erwan Vieilledent were neck and neck for most of the day. But rookie Anthony Renard had a great middle round and was leading on his own at -5 teeing of the 14th. His closest opponents were one shot back. Unfortunately, he dropped 3 shots in two holes.
Another threat came from behind. Italy’s Aaron Zemmer was at club house with -4 total thanks to brilliant back nine 32.
Meanwhile, Lespinasse holed for crucial birdie on the 17th to join Morago who had just finished with back to back birdies. Both men were -6 so a play-off was needed to name a winner.
It took only one extra hole to Léo Lespinasse to win. The two players hit the green and Lespinasse holed holed a 12 foot putt pumping his fist to celebrate his maiden win on Alps Tour. After Franck Daux, double winner and Matt Wallace, four time winner, Léo Lespinasse is the third player to engrave his name on a trophy this season.
3rd June 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Local amateur, Julien de Poyen, took the lead in Saint François
A group of three players took the club house lead heading to last round of Open de Saint François Guadeloupe. Local amateur, Julien de Poyen, is one of the co-leaders alongside France’s Léo Lespinasse and Erwan Vieilledent. They are -5 total one shot clear of amateur Martin Farfal and Spain’s David Morago.
De Poyen, who had a great season with his university teal, Saint Louis, Missouri, managed to take advantage of his knowledge of the course. He shot 68, -3 thanks to 5 birdies and 2 bogeys.
Lespinasse had to face the same, especially back to back dropped shots on 5th and 6th on his back nine. But he reacted the best way with a birdie on the 8th. He signed for the best score of the day, 66 tie with France’s Alan Bihan. Lespinasse only made 2 cuts this season out of 6 events but his work on his swing with same coach? Olivier Leglise, as Europeann Tour players such as Greg Bourdy, Romain Wattel or Benjamin Hébert, seemed to be promising. The 21 year old player from Biarritz had his best result in Guadalupe last year as he was runner up. One step is yet to climb to improve his record.
Vielledent doesn’t have a full category on the Alps tour and good results could make him be in good position to enter the following events of the season. He had 6 birdies and 3 birdies for a 68 card. He recorded a sixth place in Italy a forenight ago.
The cut felt at +5 including 5 amateurs.
3rd September 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Wallace in the place
Matt Wallace of England . Credit: Tristan Jones
Matt Wallace took a one shot lead after first round in Alps de Andalucia. The 25 year old Englishman scored 66, -6 on the long golf course – 6450 meters – of Novo Sancti Petri. Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heradia is one shot back with 67 for the day and a pack of 5 players shot 68, -4 for third place tie.
The summer break ended this morning and many good scores for this first round near Cadiz. Players are chasing their precious spot to play Challenge Tour next year and with 8 events left to play, everyone can dream to be in the lucky 5.
Wallace’s best result this year was a podium in Egypt during winter series and he finished twice 4th this season. Often in contention, the young Englishman is only missing a trophy. He holed 6 birdies and an eagle today for two dropped shots.
Many known names are among the players in the podium. Tom Shadbolt, Tunisian Open winner Josh Loughrey, Darius Van Driel; Spain’s Tony Ferrer and France’s Léo Lespinasse.
“The course is long for an Alps Tour course” said Lespinasse. One part is on the sea and the other part is in the middle of a pine forest. It is interesting to choose the right strategy on the tee shots to have a fare shot to the green.”
The projected cut is level par.
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.
30th May 2015 | Alps Tour Golf
Master Maestroni back on top
Italy’s Andrea Maestroni (c) Tristan Jones
Italy’s Andrea Maestroni ended 11 years without an international win and put his hands on the trophy of Open de Saint François Région Guadeloupe with -8 as winning score. Overnight leader Scott Stewart-Cation and France’s Léo Lespinasse are tie for second place 2 shots behind.
Stewart-Cation made his first birdie of the day on the 15th hole but it was a bit too late to impress his challengers. Although he holed the only eagle of the round on the 17th, he missed his appointment with the trophy and but finished second tie thanks a birdie on the last green..
Many players on top of leaderboard shot under par to take the lead. The battle was between Andrea Maestroni, 38, and former European Tour player against Léo Lespinasse, 20, playing his second season as pro. The two men were “square” when Lespinasse teed of the 16th. But the young man from Biarritz dropped one shot on the par 3 and later,Maestroni gained one stroke on the par 5, the 17th. The experimented Italian player save a good par on the last green to secure his first win since a decade.
Maestroni’s last momentum was in 2004 and he said it meant a lot for him to hold the wooden trophy. He also admitted that being happy in his personal life -his girlfriend Ilaria is with him this week- surely helped him to be efficient with his golf.
“I only had a look on the leaderboard after 9 holes as I was playing so well. Perfect golf. I made a mistake on the 13th, a bad bunker shot with a pitching wedge and I dropped one shot but on the 14th I holed for birdie despite not such a good tee shot. And I managed to have a 2 stroke advantage teeing of the 18th thanks to an easy birdie on the 17th. Two perfect shots and 2 putts.”
“This win means a lot because of my story in golf. Many of my fellows and colleagues said -Why does he still play, the old guy – This win is my answer. My last win was in 2004 on the Alps Tour but the Alps Tour in 2015 has nothing to do with the Alps Tour 11 years ago.”
Maestroni’s goal is to go back on European Tour and this win is a huge step as far as confidence is concerned.
Lespinasse, although he did not win, recorded his third second places of the season and comes back in the top 5 of the Alps Tour ranking at 2nd position behind Josh Loughrey. Matthieu Pavon is third followed by Damien Perrier and Enrico Di Nitto.
| Alps Tour Golf
Stewart-Cation keeps lead
Scott Stewart-Cation
Scott Stewart-Cation holds firm the lead of Open Saint François Région Gadeloupe. He scored 70 during second round to go into last round with a 2 stroke advantage over Italy’s Andrea Maestroni.
No tropical rains for the second day here in the beautiful island of the French Indies, Guadeloupe. The temperature was over 30°C but clouds and wind helped players to deal with it. Scott Stewart-Cation from Home of golf, Fife, Scotland, signed for a 70 one under par card thanks to 3 birdies and 2 bogeys.
Only one shot back, 2004 Alps tour winner and former European Tour member, Andrea Meastroni from Italy. Maestroni, 38, played the World Cup in 2004 in Sevilla and is one of the most experimented player in the field as Far as European Tour is concerned. He will be a serious challenger for the win.
With the score of -2 total, a group of 3 Frenchmen. Amateur Martin Farfal, Léo Lespinasse and Jeff Lucquin. The latter was a member of European Tour for more than 7 seasons and won the Omega European Masters, defeated Rory McIlroy in a play-off. Lucquin is back to competition after injury and his level of game is improving week after week.
Lespinasse already recorded 3 podiums this season and will certainly battle to finally hold a trophy.
