Alps Tour Golf | Mason Essam

4th September 2025 | Alps Tour Golf

Round 1 Suspended at Longwy Alps Open with Italy’s Mattia Comotti Leading

Longwy, September 4^th, 2025 – Round 1 of the 2025 Longwy Alps Open was suspended at 7:12 p.m. local time due to flooded greens, and play was officially called for the day at 7:45 p.m. by Tournament Director Mr. Alessandro Pia, due to continued course flooding and fading daylight. With several groups still on the course, Italy’s Mattia Comotti holds the current clubhouse lead after posting an 8-under-par round. Play is scheduled to resume at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning, as the second round gets underway shortly after.

As the 2025 Alps Tour season heads into its final stretch, this week’s tournament takes on added significance, with players competing not only for the event title but also for crucial Order of Merit points that could dramatically impact the season standings.

With only a few events remaining before the Alps Tour Grand Final, the battle for a coveted top-five position in the standings and the career-changing promotion to the 2026 HotelPlanner Tour is more intense than ever. For many, this is a chance to solidify their standing; for others, it’s a final push to break through. Every shot matters as the stakes continue to rise in this pivotal moment of the season.

Now in its second consecutive year on the Alps Tour calendar, the tournament returned this week following a successful inaugural edition in 2024, where France’s Damien Perrier claimed the title with a three-day total of 14-under-par. With Round 1 now complete, the 2025 edition is already shaping up to deliver another exciting chapter in the event’s young history.

Round 1 Player Quotes

Mattia Comotti, 25, from Italy, winner of the 2024 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON, is the clubhouse leader with an 8 under-par, 64 as round 1 was suspended due to flooded greens and darkness. He turned professional at the end of July 2023, so this is his second full playing season on the Alps Tour as a professional player. He carded two birdies on the front nine (holes 6 and 8) before going on a remarkable run on the back nine, where he made four consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 15 and capped it off with an eagle on the 16^th hole. “Obviously, today the round was really good, I played really solid from the tee and took advantage of the opportunities on the greens,” said Comotti. “I played the DP World Tour Q-School in Belgium last week, so it didn’t really feel like a summer break. That helped me keep the game sharp and ready to compete again.” Reflecting on his performance, he added, “The mindset for the next two rounds will be the same as today’s. It’s a long tournament and we’re just getting started. Unlike the beginning of the season, I didn’t make any stupid mistakes today and I putted very well. I had a great stretch of holes from 12 to 16, four birdies and an eagle. On hole 14, I holed a 12-meter putt, and that gave me a lot of energy and momentum going forward.” Looking ahead, Comotti emphasized the importance of strategy at UGolf Longwy International: “This week, the key to success will probably be patience and accuracy off the tee. You really need to place the ball well.”

While Comotti currently holds the clubhouse lead, Spain’s Borja Martin remains a strong contender at 7-under-par with three holes left to play in his first round.

France’s Paul Franquet, 20, currently sits in a tie for third place after carding a 6-under-par 66 in his first round as a professional. Having only turned pro two days ago, he showed no signs of nerves as he firmly placed himself in contention. His round featured an eagle on the 6^th hole, five birdies on holes 3, 9, 10, 13, and 14, and a single blemish with a bogey on the 11^th hole. Franquet, who has already recorded multiple top-three finishes as an amateur, looks poised to make a strong statement early in his professional career. Reflecting on his round, Franquet said, “The round went pretty well, I’m very happy with the way I managed the course. I was very patient all day, and the birdies came toward the end.” After taking a short break to reset mentally, he worked intensively with his coach over the past two weeks to prepare for the event. “We worked hard to be sharp for this tournament,” he added. “I think the turning point came on the third hole of my round (my 12^th hole), where I made birdie to get to 3-under. That gave me a good boost for the finish.” Looking ahead, he’s staying grounded: “I just want to keep focusing on what I’m doing well for the next round and stick to the same game plan all week. The key is to stay focused on myself and my game.”

Alongside Franquet, France’s Victor Veyret, 28, and Italy’s Lucas Fallotico, 22, both concluded their opening rounds with a 6-under-par 66. After signing his scorecard, Veyret shared, “It was a nice round. I kept a really good attitude from this morning all the way to the end. I played Q-School last week, so that was a good warm-up for today. I know tomorrow will be tough, it usually is after a good round like this, but I’m ready to accept whatever happens. I believe I can make a difference with my attitude.”

France’s Baptiste Achard, 27, is also currently tied at 6-under-par but has yet to complete his first round.

Mason Essam, 26, from England, currently sits in seventh place on the provisional leaderboard after posting an opening-round 5-under-par 67. He got off to a steady start with birdies on holes 2 and 6, briefly set back by a bogey on the 7^th, but bounced back immediately with another birdie on the 8^th hole. On the back nine, he made a strong move with a brilliant eagle on hole 12 and added a final birdie on the 16^th to close out a solid first round and stay well within striking distance of the lead. “Today was pretty steady,” Essam said. “I’ve been working a lot on my strategy and sticking to a process. During the break, I put in a lot of work on my game but also enjoyed some much-needed time at home. I played the first stage of DP World Tour Q-School and played well, so I knew my game was in a decent spot coming in.”Reflecting on his round, he added, “The eagle on 12 definitely got me going, I hit some lovely approach shots coming in after that.” Looking ahead, Essam is keeping it simple: “It’s me against the course, I will just stick to my strategy and see how I get on. Over the next few days, I’ll just focus on doing me. If I do that, whatever happens, I’ll be happy.”

Format & Prize Fund

The 2025 Longwy Alps Open is a 54-hole stroke-play event where a cut will be made after 36 holes to the top 40 professional players and ties including all amateurs within the cut. In case of a tie after 54 holes, a sudden-death play-off will determine the winner of the inaugural edition.

The players are competing for an overall prize fund of €47,500 and 45,000 Order of Merit points. The 2025 Longwy Alps Open winner will walk away with €6,900.00 and 6,525 Order of Merit points.

Tournament Sponsors and Promoter

The 2025 Longwy Alps Open is promoted directly by the golf course and is grateful for the support of the following sponsors and partners: Kroely Mercedes, Région Grand Est, Grand Longwy, Crédit Mutuel, Muno Charles et Fils, Santini Avocat, Proxeo, Mairie Longwy, UGolf/ Bluegreen, XL Enseigne, SLDC, Laboratoire Riefolo, Naillon MP, Swiss Life and Caradvice Garage.

Alps Tour Media Contact- Alice Barbieri: [email protected]

For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.

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8th May 2025 | Alps Tour Golf

Spain’s Asier Aguirre Izcue moves into the lead after Round 2 in Italy.

Como, May 8^th, 2025 – After two rounds of the 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON, Spain’s Asier Aguirre Izcue moves into the lead with a two-day total of 14 under-par. Hugh Foley from Ireland and Marco Florioli from Italy are in a 2-way tie for 2^nd place at 11 under-par.

The second round of the 11^th edition of the 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON, taking place at the prestigious Golf Club La Pinetina in Appiano Gentile, just outside Como. The day began with some sunshine, but conditions soon shifted to overcast skies accompanied by light winds that lingered throughout the rest of the round.

Since its inception in 2014, the event has been a mainstay on the Alps Tour calendar, it is named after and dedicated to the highly regarded golf instructor, Giorgio Bordoni who unexpectedly passed away in 2013 at the age of 48.

Round 2 Player Quotes

Asier Aguirre Izcue, 25, from Spain, leads the field at 14-under-par after two rounds at GC La Pinetina. He shot a sensational bogey-free second round of 9-under-par 61, with five birdies on the front nine (holes 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8) and four more on the back nine (holes 10, 12, 14, and 16). In the opening round, Aguirre carded a 5-under-par 65, despite a costly quadruple bogey on the par-5 3^rd hole—otherwise, he could have matched his second-round 61 on both days. Aguirre, has been playing well, “I tried to keep playing my own game for the whole day and was very solid with my iron shots.” He is consistent performer on the Alps Tour, having collected multiple top 10 finishes in recent seasons, including a T2 at GC La Pinetina in 2023. Aguirre is still in pursuit of his first Alps Tour victory and came agonizingly close in 2024 at the Gösser Open losing in a sudden-death playoff. With momentum on his side, he now has a strong opportunity to finally break through. Aguirre has “only hit 2 drivers on the front nine and maybe another 3 on the back nine. This course, you need to place the ball and keep it in play, and I found to have done that well so far. I stuck to my strategy and so far, it’s paying off. Once you’re in the fairways you can be aggressive with your approach shots and give yourself opportunities and today, I took advantage of that.” Aguirre feels, “very comfortable and I’m going to try my best tomorrow. My sponsor is here with me this week, and he is caddying for me. I’m very comfortable with him and it’s made the week enjoyable.”

Hugh Foley, 27, from Ireland is only 3 strokes off the lead with a two-day score of 11 under-par. He followed his opening round of 3 under-par, 67 with a fabulous 8 under-par, 62 that included 5 birdies on the front nine holes of the course, his back nine and 1 eagle, 2 birdies and 1 bogey on the back. Foley, “putted really well today. To shoot 62, you must roll it great on the greens, and that was the key for me. I also hit it straight off the tee, which gave me plenty of chances. On this course, you’ve got to keep it out of the trees and it’s not a long layout, so if you’re accurate, you’re hitting short irons in and giving yourself a lot of birdie looks.” This is Foley’s sixth professional event, “and this is the first time I’ve been in the final pairing, so I’m really excited about that. I just want to enjoy the experience, stick to the same game plan, and hopefully hole as many putts as I did today.”

Alongside Foley in a 2-way tie for 2^nd place with a total score of 11 under-par, Italy’s Marco Florioli, 20 years old. He shot a bogey-free 6 under-par, 64 with 3 birdies in each 9 holes.

Spain’s Javier Barcos, 23, currently ranked fourth in the Alps Tour Order of Merit and winner of the 2025 New Giza Open, moved into a 3-way tie for 4^th place after round two of the Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON. Barcos began the tournament with a 4-under-par 66 to sit tied for 9^th, but followed it up with a flawless, bogey-free 6-under-par 64 to climb the leaderboard. He started strong with back-to-back birdies on holes 1 and 2, and added four more on the back nine to post a two-day total of 10-under-par. Barcos felt “like when I played in the afternoon yesterday, the greens were much bumpier, due to the number of players and that’s normal, but, playing in the morning, the ball rolled much better and it allowed me to make more putts.” He made, “plenty of putts today especially during the first twelve holes. During the remaining 6 I still hit the ball well but not as many putts dropped.” With solid momentum, Barcos is firmly in contention heading into the final round, “I will keep hitting my irons the way I’ve been hitting, hopefully make some putts and be aggressive, that’s the game plan for tomorrow.”

In the 3-way tie for 4^th place at 10 under-par alongside Barcos there is: France’s Victor Veyret and England’s Mason Essam.

Switzerland’s Luca Galliano, 39, made a significant move up the leaderboard after a stunning second round. After opening with an even-par 70 on day one, Galliano fired a flawless 9-under-par 61 in round 2 to reach a two-day total of 9-under-par, putting him just five shots off the lead in a 2-way tie for 7^th place. “I made a solid putt on the Hole 2, which gave me a confidence boost and set a positive tone for the remainder of the round. I was able to capitalize on the opportunities that came my way, and it felt really good. What made the day even more meaningful was having my family there to support me—performing well in front of them was truly special. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and excited to carry this momentum forward.” His remarkable round included five consecutive birdies from holes 2 to 6, followed by four more on the back nine. Currently sixth in the Alps Tour Order of Merit, Galliano is aiming to climb the rankings further with a strong finish this week.

Alongside Galliano in the 2-way tie for 7^th place there is Italy’s Flavio Michetti.

The highlight of the day belongs to Italian amateur Riccardo Cavina who made a fabulous Albatross on the Par 5, 8^thhole.

Final Round

A total of 44 players (43 professionals and 1 amateur) made the cut which was set at 138 (-2).
The Final Round will begin at 8:00 a.m. local time from the 1^st and 10^th hole. The Final Pairing will tee off at 9:17 a.m. local time from the 1^st hole.

The 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON Winner will walk away with €6,200 and earn 6,525 points toward the Order of Merit standings.

Tournament Promoter

The majority of the Alps Tour events that are played on Italian soil, like this week’s 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON is organized by the Italian Pro Tour, which is a branch of the Italian Golf Federation. They are responsible for promoting the majority of the professional golf events that occur in Italy.

For this week’s event, AON is the tournament Presenting Sponsor.

The main sponsors and partners that support the Italian Pro Tour during the 2025 season include: Fideuram Intesa SanPaolo Private Banking (Official Bank); Enel (Official Sponsor); Kappa (Technical Supplier); Poste Assicura (Official Supplier) and as an Official advisor: Infront Italy.

Alps Tour Media Contact- Alice Barbieri: [email protected]

For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay informed by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.

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7th May 2025 | Alps Tour Golf

Three-Way Tie at the Top After Round 1 of Memorial Giorgio Bordoni Presented by AON

Como, May 7^th, 2025 – After the opening round of the 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON, we have a very tight leaderboard. Co-leading at 6 under-par Italy’s Flavio Michetti and Edoardo Giletta and France’s Xavier Poncelet. There is a 5-way tie for 4^thplace at 5 under-par.

The opening round of the 11^th edition of the 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by Aon teed off early this morning under overcast skies, with occasional bursts of sunshine and light winds. However, at 2:17 p.m. local time, the Tournament Director, Mr. Alessandro Pia had to suspend play due to inclement weather in the area. Play was able to resume at 3:15 p.m. local time under some overcast skies, chillier temperatures and some occasional light rain showers.

This tournament is taking place at the prestigious Golf Club La Pinetina in Appiano Gentile, just outside Como.

Round 1 Player Quotes

Flavio Michetti, 21 from Italy, co-leads alongside Xavier Poncelet and Edoardo Giletta after the opening round with a bogey-free, 6 under-par, 64. He teed off on the 1^st hole where he made 4 birdies in a row from hole 2 to hole 5, after making the turn he went on to make 2 more birdies on hole 10 and 17 to conclude the day. Michetti turned professional 2 years ago and has earned various top 3 finishes in the past few seasons. “I began my day with the only goal to have a solid game throughout the entire day. I must say though, that my putting worked extremely well today as I made only 25 putts. I was able to hole 3 putts over 10 meters. I’m satisfied as I put together a very good score but now my focus shifts to round 2 tomorrow.” Michetti is grateful about the “few hours on the range I spent with coach, Alberto Binaghi yesterday afternoon, we had a really good practice session together and I was able to find some great feelings I brought with me today. Obviously, there is always more work to do but it’s a great start.”

France’s Xavier Poncelet, 39, a past winner on the Alps Tour, co-leads after day 1 with a bogey-free 6 under-par, 64 making 3 birdies on the front nine and 3 more on the back nine to end his round. Poncelet attributes today’s result to the “hard work I put in this winter and now it’s been about 2 months I’ve been playing well, and I felt really good on the course for the whole day. Today the course was soft, and I felt I could be very aggressive when I placed my tee shots in the fairways. The greens were responsive too so you could create many birdie opportunities. The greenkeeping staff did an amazing job to have the course playable for us with all the rain.” Poncelet is pleased “as I hit 17 greens today and all aspects of my game were very solid.”

Round 1 co-leader at the 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by Aon, France’s Xavier Poncelet Photo Credit: Alps Tour Golf / Raffaele Canepa

Edoardo Giletta, 27, from Italy, is the third player co-leading after a bogey-free opening round. He made 3 birdies on the front and back nine for a 6 under-par, 64. After his round, Giletta commented he “found the course a bit soft, but I didn’t make many mistakes today and my putter helped me a lot throughout the round. I strongly believe that my iron game adapts really well to this course, I hit them very well today and was able to hit many greens in regulations.”

Round 1 co-leader at the 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by Aon, Italy’s Edoardo Giletta. Photo Credit: Alps Tour Golf / Federico Capretti.

England’s Mason Essam, 25, is in a 5-way tie for 4^th place with a first-round score of 5 under-par, 65. His best finish so far this season is a tie for 6^th place at our last event in Tunisia. For today’s opening round, Essam teed off on the front-nine where he made 4 birdies and 1 bogey, once he made the turn, he added 3 more birdies and 1 bogey. Essam experienced, “a weird situation on the 4^th hole today, my ball caught some wires that are in the air and the ball went close. However, I had to re-hit the shot and consequently missed the green but chipped in and I felt that situation turned my round around.” A lot of rain has fallen over G.C. La Pinetina over the past few days but Essam, “can’t believe how well the course dried out with the amount of rain we had the past few days. Obviously, some areas are wet and moist, but the greens are perfect. The greenkeepers did a fabulous job to prepare the course for us.” In Egypt and Tunisia, “I was really struggling with my game but worked really hard over the last few weeks, so now I’m just going to focus on keep doing the same things and not get too far ahead of myself.”

Nicolas Aparicio, 32, from France, who is the 2^nd player in the 5-way tie for 4^th place with an opening round of 5 under-par, 65. He teed off on hole 1 today where he made 2 bogeys and 3 birdies on holes 6, 8 and 9. Once Aparicio made the turn, he added 4 more birdies on holes 10, 14, 15 and 17. With two rounds left here at GC La Pinetina, “ I want to keep doing the same thing as I did today, I want to really enjoy myself out there.” Seven months ago, Aparicio became a father and: “After Lacanau Golf Open which will be disputed at the end of May, I have decided I will stop playing competitive golf so even though, I didn’t have a fabulous start making a bogey on hole 1, I was happy to be out there and I want to really enjoy these last few tournaments. With that mindset, it allowed me to enjoy the day and make the birdies.”

Alongside Essam and Aparicio in the 5-way tie for 4^th place with a score of 5 under-par, 65 there is: France’s Victor Veyret, Italy’s Marco Florioli and Spain’s Asier Aguirre Izcue.

The highlight of the day belongs to Italy’s Lucas Fallotico who made a fantastic Hole-In-One on the 133 meters, 2^ndhole with a Pitching Wedge.

The 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON offers a total prize fund of €42,500, and 45,000 Order of Merit points. The winner will take home €6,200 and earn 6,525 points toward the Order of Merit standings.

Round 2

Round 2 of the 2025 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON continues tomorrow, with the first two groups going out at 7:30 am local time from the 1^st and 10^th hole.

Once Round 2 is completed a cut will be made to the top 40 professionals and ties, plus amateurs within the cut. In the event of a tie at the conclusion of the final round, the tournament winner will be decided by a sudden-death play-off.

Tournament Promoter

For this week’s event, AON is the tournament Presenting Sponsor.

For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay informed by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.

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17th November 2023 | Alps Tour Golf

Giovanni Manzoni wins the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage

Rome, November 17^th 2023 – Italy’s twenty-four-year-old Giovanni Manzoni wins the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage with a three-day score of 10 under-par. In 2^nd place with a total score of 8 under-par, English amateur Mason Essam. In 3^rdplace at 6 under-par Ireland’s Robert Moran (am). In 4^th place at 5 under-par Scotland’s Craig Ross. There is a 3-way tie for 5^that 4 under-par that includes: French amateur Maxime Mathey, Italy’s Adalberto Montini, and Luca Memeo (am).

The final round of the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage began at 8:00 am from the 1^st and 10^th hole at Golf Nazionale in Northern Rome. The leaders teed off at 10:12 am from the 1^st tee. After yesterday’s 36 holes cut, 74 players (45 pros and 29 amateurs) were able to qualify for today’s final round, where they competed to earn their 2024 Alps Tour playing card. It was a beautiful day with clear skies and beautiful sunshine, which allowed the players to take advantage of favorable scoring opportunities.

Final Round Player QuotesItaly’s Giovanni Manzoni wins the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage with a three-day score of 10 under-par. He was tied for 5^th place after yesterday’s round 2. He shot a final round 5 under-par, 66 that included 5 birdies on the front nine and 4 birdies, 2 bogeys, and 1 double bogey to close out his round at Golf Nazionale. He is 24 years old, currently represents Margara Golf Club, and turned professional about 6 months ago. After his win, Manzoni commented: “I played really solid the past 3 days, I’m happy because I rediscovered my feelings, and my game is progressing in a positive way, so I’m thrilled.” Today Manzoni, had a good friend of his and fellow tour player on the bag, Filippo Celli, “my caddie today was amazing, he helped me for the entire 18 holes, and most importantly, we had a lot of fun together. Whenever we are together, I have a lot of fun, and he definitely helped me not to overthink the course and the day but to enjoy myself and play like I know I’m capable of.” He added that, obviously now, “the goal and the next step is to work towards winning an Alps Tour tournament.”

English amateur Mason Essam, who was in the lead since the beginning of the event, concludes the tournament in 2^nd place with a three-day total of 8 under-par. He is 24 years old and represents Dartford Golf Club. Essam qualified to compete in this week’s event after finishing 6^th at the Stage 1 Qualifier held at Terre dei Consoli Golf Club. After his round, Essam explained that he plans on “definitely turning professional now, I did what I came here to do, which is nice. However, when you’re in contention, you want to win, so a bit hard feeling for that, but overall, I played well today and just didn’t hole enough putts. Clearly, Giovanni played really well, so can’t complain.” He added that during this off-season, he will “keep seeing my new coach, who I just started working with, and trying to make a steady progression and get my head down in February to try to get a win early on.” Essam went on to comment that he found: “The wind was completely the opposite today compared to yesterday. I played much better today compared to yesterday, so I can’t really say whether it was easier or not, but I definitely think so of the harder holes played fairer today, and the easier holes played normal.”

In 3^rd place at 6 under-par Irish amateur Robert Moran. In 4^th place at 5 under-par Scotland’s Craig Ross. There is a 3-way tie for 5^that 4 under-par that includes: French amateur Maxime Mathey, Italy’s Adalberto Montini, and Luca Memeo (am).

Final RoundAt the end of today’s final round, 39 players, which will be ranked according to their score, received Category 6 membership, which represents a full playing card for the 2024 Alps Tour Season. The remaining players who made the cut received Category 8 membership for next year’s season. The remaining players who compete in this Final Stage but did not make the 36 holes cut are eligible to receive membership in Category 9.

The 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage draws the 2023 season to a close. Now players are able to enjoy their winter break until the new Alps Tour season will begin in mid-February 2024 in Egypt in the hopes of another successful golf season with the next #risinggolfstars?.

The Alps Tour wishes everyone a great holiday season, and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2024!

Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).

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16th November 2023 | Alps Tour Golf

Two Amateurs co-lead after Round 2 at the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage

Rome, November 16^th, 2023 – Amateurs Luca Cavalli from Italy and Mason Essam from England are in the lead with a two-day total of 7 under-par at the end of the 2^ndround of the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. In a two-way tie for 3rd place at 6 under-par, another amateur duo: Italy’s Luca Memeo and Ireland’s Robert Moran.

A chillier but beautiful sunny day was the backdrop of today’s second round of the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. The 156 players are competing to earn their 2024 Alps Tour Playing Cards on two different courses: Golf Nazionale, Par 71, and Olgiata Golf Club, Par 73. The players switched between the two golf courses compared to yesterday’s round.

Round 2 Player Quotes

Italy’s Luca Cavalli (am), 18 years old, who was in a tie for 3^rd place at 4 under-par yesterday, concluded his 2^nd round of the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage with a two-day total of 7 under-par. Today, he competed at Golf Nazionale, where he made 4 birdies and 1 bogey. He is in a share of the lead heading into tomorrow’s final round of the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. Once he concluded his 3-under-par 2^nd round, Cavalli commented: “I played well again today, however, I can say that I found Golf Nazionale to be more tiring both physically and mentally. Overall though, I am very pleased with how both days went everything worked well in my game, and the work I did is paying off.” As he is competing as an amateur, he’s “not planning on turning pro right away as I still need to graduate from high school so I will see how I rank and go from there. If I earn playing status this week, I will play as an amateur at first and then, by July or August, decide what is best for me to do.”

Round 1 Leader, English amateur Mason Essam, remains in a share of the lead heading into tomorrow’s final round of the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage. He is 24 years old and represents Dartford Golf Club. He shot a 1 over-par 72 at Golf Nazionale for a two-day total of 7 under-par. Today Essam wasn’t pleased with his: “ball striking wasn’t nearly as good. I don’t think I hit many greens today. It was a tough day overall, I had to stay patient and calm. I did my best, and it kind of fell away at the end, but it wasn’t a bad round of golf.” He said he planned on “going to go to the range now to figure out a few things and then try and take that into tomorrow so I can hit more greens and go from there.” When asked about the two host golf courses this week, Essam added that “the score suggest I prefer Olgiata GC between the two courses. Olgiata lived up to my expectations of what my thoughts of a typical Italian course would be, but we will see tomorrow.”

Round 2 Co-Leader at the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, England’s Mason Essam(am). Photo Credit: Alps Tour Golf / Federico Capretti

Eighteen-year-old Italian amateur, Luca Memeo is in a two-way tie for 3^rd place with a two-day total of 6 under-par. Today, he shot a 1 under-par, 70 at Golf Nazionale with 3 birdies and 2 bogeys. He currently represents Royal Park I Roveri. After today’s round, Memeo commented: “The course is definitely different, maybe trickier in some aspects, the greens are faster.” He has one of his good friends and already Alps Tour Player Elia Dallanegra as his caddie this week, “He helped me a lot so far this week, and I’m sure he will do the same tomorrow. He’s a good friend of mine, and having him on the bag this week has been amazing.” Memeo plans on “gaining as much experience as possible by playing Alps Tour events, but at the same time, I would like to earn full playing status for next year, so I will play in as many events as possible.”

Alongside Memeo in the two-way tie for 3^rd place at 6 under-par Irish amateur Robert Moran. He played at Olgiata Golf Club today and shot a 4 under-par with 4 birdies, 2 bogeys, and 1 eagle.

A total of 74 players (45 pros and 29 amateurs) made the cut which was set at +5 (149).

Final Round

The top 65 players and ties gained access into tomorrow’s final round, which will be played at Golf Nazionale. The tee times will begin again at 8:00 am local time from the 1^st and 10^th hole. The final pairing will tee off at 10:12 am local time from the 1^sthole.

For tomorrow’s final round, it is forecasted to be a sunny day with temperatures that will reach around 17°C and Northwestern winds at approximately 12-25km/h.

At the conclusion of tomorrow’s final round, the top 35 players and ties ranked according to score, will be eligible to receive Category 6 membership for the 2024 Alps Tour Season. The rest of the players who will make the cut, and finish between the 36^th and 65^th position will be eligible to receive Category 8 membership for next year’s season. The remaining players who compete in this Final Stage and conclude the tournament between the 66^th and 156^th position will be eligible to receive membership in Category 9.

Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).

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15th November 2023 | Alps Tour Golf

Amateur Mason Essam leads after Round 1 at the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage.

Rome, November 15^th 2023 – English amateur Mason Essam leads with an 8 under-par, 65 at the end of the 1^st round at the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. Another amateur, Italy’s Luca Memeo, is in 2^nd place at 5 under par. There is an Italian trio in a 3-way tie for 3^rd place with a Round 1 score of 4 under-par that includes: Filippo Bergamaschi, Adalberto Montini, and amateur Luca Cavalli.

An overcast morning with a comfortable temperature in Northern Rome, welcomed the 156 players who began their quest to earn one of the 2024 Alps Tour playing cards that is up for grabs. For the first two rounds, the players are split between Golf Nazionale (Par 71) and Olgiata Golf Club (Par 73) and will play one round on each course.

Round 1 Player Quotes

Twenty-four-year-old, English amateur Mason Essam, who currently represents Dartford Golf Club, leads after Round 1 at the 2023 Alps Tour Q-School Final Stage. He shot an opening round at Olgiata Golf Club of 8 under-par, 65 today with 1 eagle, 7 birdies, and 1 bogey. He qualified for this week’s Final Stage of Q-School after concluding tied for 6^th place last week at the Stage 1 event held at Terre dei Consoli Golf Club. After he signed for his 8 under-par, he proudly commented, “I played lovely today, I was able to manage my misses well, and had a good game plan I committed to. My game has been improving recently, and my goal for the day was to stick to my plan and play with freedom and confidence. My expectations for the week are to finish with a full card on the Alps Tour for next season, and this has been a great start for sure, I’m grateful for the opportunity.” He will turn professional “if I am able to accomplish my goals this week to earn a card.”

Luca Memeo (am), from Italy, 18 years old, who currently represents Royal Park I Roveri, finds himself in 2^nd place after the 1^st round of the 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Final Stage. He shot a bogey-free first round making 1 eagle and 3 birdies at Olgiata Golf Club. After the round, Memeo explained how he “hit nearly every green in regulation and put together a bogey-free round. I was able to hit the majority of the fairways, too, which allowed me the opportunity to go for the pins. I don’t have any real expectations this week, I’m trying to do the best I can in every shot and every round and gain some experience. Today was definitely an ideal start.” As he is playing as an amateur, he added that he “plans to turn pro at the end of next year.”

Italy’s Filippo Bergamaschi, who represents Villa Paradiso Golf Club, is the 1^st player in the three-way tie for 3^rd place after his opening round of 4 under-par, 67 at Golf Nazionale. He began his round with a bogey on his opening hole, the 10^th of the golf course, and then from there on, he made 5 birdies. When he finished his round, he commented: “My putting today was exceptional today. I struggled slightly off the tee today, a little more than I expected, but overall, I’m pleased, it puts me in a good position with two rounds left to be played.” When asked about his preference between the two host golf clubs this week, he added: “I personally prefer Golf Nazionale compared to Olgiata Golf Club, I like it more. I think it suits my game a bit better, I enjoy it more as I’m able to hit a variety of shots, and I’ve played it more, so have more experience on it.”

Alongside Bergamaschi in the three-way tie for 3^rd place at 4 under-par, there is: Adalberto Montini and amateur Luca Cavalli. Both players competed during today’s 1^st round at Olgiata Golf Club.

At the conclusion of the 54 holes, the top 35 players and ties ranked according to score, will be eligible to receive Category 6 membership for the 2024 Alps Tour Season. The rest of the players who will make the cut, and finish between the 36^th and 65^th position will be eligible to receive Category 8 membership. The remaining players who compete in this Final Stage and conclude the tournament between the 66^th and 156^th position will be eligible to receive membership in Category 9.

Round 2

For tomorrow’s Round 2, players will be alternating golf courses between Golf Nazionale and Olgiata Golf Club. Play will begin again at 8:00 am from the 1^st and 10^th hole at each golf course.

After tomorrow’s round, a cut will be made to the top 65 players and ties who will compete in the final round of the tournament that will played at Golf Nazionale.

Follow along on www.alpstourgolf.com or the official “Alps Tour Golf” app to keep up on all the latest news (available on App Store for iOS devices and Play Store for Android).

#risinggolfstars
#raisinggolfstars