15th February 2018 | Alps Tour Golf
First pro victory for Italy’s Michele Cea in Sokhna
Italy’s Michele Cea won the Ein Bay Open at Sokhna Golf Club (Egypt) today with a total of -12, two shot ahead his compatriot Michele Ortolani.
It was Cea’s first professional win. Entering the final round as the leader at -10, Ireland’s David Carey shot a double bogey on hole 16th dampening his hopes of winning the tournament. Carey dropped down to 3rd place at -9. Italy’s Michele Ortolani finished in 2nd place at -10.
« I still can’t believe it » Cea said after his victory. « I feel amazing, it was a very tight match with a friend of mine (Ortolani) until the last hole. I could not get a better victory than this, I could not ask for a better finish » he continued. « The last putt was tough, I had a lot of pressure, I just kept my head down and it went in » Cea explained. « The day was quite long because I had lots of thoughts going through my mind. 18 holes are long, you don’t know what’s going to happen so I just focused on what I had to do hole by hole and it paid off. My hands were shaking when I knew I had won the tournament. I just let go all the stress of the day, it was an amazing feeling » he concluded.
« It’s a very disappointing being 12 under through the 8th hole and then dropping all the way back. But overall, there is a lot of positives from the week and I will take those positives and continue to play well again next week » Carey said.
David Carey shot the most birdies on this tournament at 17 birdies. Cea had 16 birdies.
Best card of the day was Spain’s Ivan Cantero Gutierrez who shot -6 under par, finishing in 4th position at -8.
Michele Cea is the leader of the Order of Merit, the Alps Tour official season ranking.
Weather was overcast for most of the day over Ain Sokhna. Temperatures were in the 20s degrees Celsius.
Alps Tour Players will now take a little break before tackling the second tournament of the Winter Series, the Red Sea Little Venice Open at Sokhna Golf Club starting on Monday.
Many thanks to the Sokhna Golf Club , Hassan Allam Properties, Ein Bay and Jaz Little Venice for their support in these Winter Series.
13th February 2018 | Alps Tour Golf
2018 Alps Tour season is well underway in Sokhna, Egypt
Round 1 of the Ein Bay Open ended on a 3-way tie at -6 today at Sokhna Golf Club, Egypt.
Michele ORTOLANI (ITA), Filippo BERGAMASCHI (ITA) and David CAREY (IRL) led a pack of 102 rising golf stars to finish the day at -6 under par.
Overnight heavy rain showers did not prevent players from hitting the first strokes of the 2018 season. Weather conditions were particularly good throughout the day despite wind picking up in the afternoon. Temperatures reached 20 degrees Celsius.
« It was a nice day today. I was 2 over after 3 holes, I needed to get rid of the winter dust » co-leader Michele ORTOLANI said at the clubhouse. « I was a little under pressure but I managed to fix up my game. Fortunately, my putting was very strong during the day I had a few key puts. I was lucky to have a great shot on the 10th which gave me 2 under. It was great boost. I’m very happy with the round I had today » he added.
« We’re glad to host the Alps Tour for the 6th year in a row » Ali Mohamed Ali, Golf Director at the Sokhna Golf Club said earlier. « This is the best place for Alps Tour players to play right now » he concluded.
The Ein Bay Open continues tomorrow with round 2. First tee time at 7.15 am (all leaders in the morning).
16th February 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Daux hold firm in Egypt
Franck Daux kept his advantage going into last round of the 2016 Red Sea Little Venice Open. He shot 71, one under, to secure a 3 shot lead. Matt Wallace of England is two shots back and Austria’s Robin Goger and Michele Ortolani of Italy are ties for third place.
The course defended itself way better today as many players struggled with the greens. The pin positions were trickier and the hot temperatures were hard to deal with.
The best score of the day was recorded by France’s Thomas Elissalde. The latter won last year on this course combination A/B. The native from Biarritz shot a brilliant 65, 7 under par with five birdies and one eagle.
« You can understand it when you see my card, I putted so well. I holed from everywhere. At the beginning of the round I did not play too well but it went better and better and eventually, I carded a low round. »
Overnight leader Franck Daux struggled to find his rhythm but it is always difficult to follow a low round with another one. He managed to shoot under par though and he is in good position for back to back win in Egypt.
England’s Matt Wallace’s goal was to be in the last group and he did it. Wallace is still in the hunt for maiden on Alps Tour and his motivation is high to prevent Daux from winning twice.
The cut felt at +2, 44 players including one amateur, France’s Antoine Moreau tie for 13th.
