European Tour Q-School – 2016 Final Stage Results

Posted on 17/11/2016 by Golf Bible

17th November 2016

England’s Nathan KIMSEY (-13) today won the Final Stage of the European Tour’s Qualifying School series at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona, Spain.

Nathan is just the second player to come right through from First Stage to win Q-School outright. Some achievement particularly as he hadn’t enjoyed a great 2016. He played in 11 PGA EuroPro Tour events this year, making four cuts and earning just £1,407.50. He finished 105th in the Race to Desert Springs Order of Merit.

Nathan Kimsey – Winner of the European Tour’s 2016 Q-School (Photo: @ETQSchool)

156 golfers started out on this 108 hole golfing marathon last Saturday. 52 were from Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I), exactly 33.3% of the field.

Just 30 players achieved their primary objective – a Category 16 card on the European Tour for the 2017 season (which comes with a Category 5 Challenge Tour card too). A -5 total score was required to finish in the Top 25 and ties this year.

It was great to see 16 of these qualifiers hailing from GB&I as you can see below.

QUALIFIERS – CAT. 16 EUROPEAN TOUR / CAT. 5 CHALLENGE TOUR
1.   Nathan KIMSEY (ENG) -13
T2.   Scott HENRY (SCO) -12
T5.   Steven TILEY (ENG) -10
T5.   Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG) -10
T9.   John PARRY (ENG) -9
T9.   Matthew NIXON (ENG) -9
T11. Paul MADDY (ENG) -8
T11. Tom LEWIS (ENG) -8
T16. Stuart MANLEY (WAL) -7
T16. Ashley CHESTERS (ENG) -7
T19. Laurie CANTER (ENG) -6
T19. Mark FOSTER (ENG) -6
T19. Max ORRIN (ENG) -6
T25. Jamie RUTHERFORD (ENG) -5
T25. Gary KING (ENG) -5
T25. Richard MCEVOY (ENG) -5

I think most people were pleased to see Eddie PEPPERELL (-10) and Tom LEWIS (-8) return to the elite circuit. Both have showed a lot of promise in recent years and hopefully can now go onto to fulfil it.

John PARRY (ENG) gave himself almost the best birthday present possible – being one of the 30 on his 30th birthday.

I was particularly pleased to see Ashley CHESTERS and Max ORRIN progress.

Ashley took his time before turning pro and after winning two European Amateur titles and competing in the 2015 Walker Cup his strategy seems to have paid dividends. Just Paul Dunne and Chesters from our winning team at Lytham will have European Tour cards next year.

Orrin, who played in the 2013 Walker Cup alongside Matt Fitzpatrick, Nathan Kimsey and Jordan Smith, turned pro three years ago and today was the result of a lot of hard work and a steady progression through the tours for him.

72 players made the 72 hole cut, which fell at Even par, going on to play the final two rounds on the Stadium Course. Those who made the 72-hole cut but failed to finish in the Top 25 receive Category 21 membership of the European Tour and Category 9 membership of the Challenge Tour. From GB&I these included: –

MADE CUT – CAT. 21 EUROPEAN TOUR / CAT. 9 CHALLENGE TOUR
T31. James ALLAN (ENG) -4
T31. James HEATH (ENG) -4
T31. Robert COLES (ENG) -4
T37. Michael HOEY (N.IRE) -3
T37. Ross MCGOWAN (ENG) -3
T37. Aaron RAI (ENG) -3
T44. Ross KELLETT (SCO) -2
T44. Oliver WILSON (ENG) -2
T44. Gary HURLEY (IRE) -2
T49. Charlie FORD (ENG) -1
T53. Robert DINWIDDIE (ENG) +1
T53. Steve WEBSTER (ENG) +1
T58. Garrick PORTEOUS (ENG) +2
T58. David LAW (SCO) +2
T58. Bradley NEIL (SCO) +2
T65. Matt FORD (ENG) +3
T70. Simon KHAN (ENG) +5
T70. Ben STOW (ENG) +5

Michael HOEY and Gary HURLEY were Ireland’s nearest challengers but both came up short in the end. Hurley threatened to make the grade on his front 9 today but sadly couldn’t maintain his early final round momentum.

Nathan Kimsey earned €16,000 for winning the Q-School with all of the 72 players who made the cut receiving declining sums right down to €750 for the non-qualifiers who finished in spots 31 to 72.

Those who failed to make the cut receive Category 15 membership of the Challenge Tour. From GB&I these included: –

MISSED CUT – CAT. 15 CHALLENGE TOUR
T80.   Craig LEE (SCO) +2
T80.   Curtis GRIFFITHS (ENG) +2
T93.   Ben EVANS (ENG) +4
T93.   Rhys DAVIES (WAL) +4
T93.   Jack HARRISON (ENG) +4
T115. Billy HEMSTOCK (ENG) +6
T115. David DIXON (ENG) +6
T115. Steve SURRY (ENG) +6
T115. Ruaidhri MCGEE (IRE) +6
T124. Daniel GAVINS (ENG) +7
T124. Kevin PHELAN (IRE) +7
T129. Oliver FARR (WAL) +7
T138. Ryan EVANS (ENG) +10
T141. Charlie BULL (ENG) +11
T144. Richard FINCH (ENG) +12
T147. Grant FORREST (SCO) +15
WD.   Peter WHITEFORD (SCO) – 3 rounds
RTD. Kenneth FERRIE (ENG) – 2 rounds

So to differing degrees, and of course depending on where they are on the professional golf journey, everyone was a winner simply by getting this far in the process.

It is worth noting that in all of these Categories each player is ranked according to their final Q-School finishing position. These rankings within each Category can be critical in determining actual participation in events on the respective Tours.

European Tour QS

The full European Tour Leaderboard and Results links are here:-

European Tour – Final Stage Q-School Leaderboard (with detailed scores)
European Tour – Final Stage Q-School Results (with prize money)

Appendix 1 – 2016 Qualifying School Articles

For further background information on the 2016 European Tour Q-School series please take a look at my previous articles: –

European Tour Q-School – 2016 Final Stage Preview (10/11/16)
European Tour Q-School – 2016 Second Stage Results (07/11/16)
European Tour Q-School – 2016 Second Stage Preview (14/10/16 & 03/11/16)
European Tour Q-School – 2016 First Stage Results (07/10/16)
European Tour Q-School – 2016 First Stage Preview (11/09/16)

ME.

International European Amateur Championship (2015)

Posted on 04/08/2015 by Golf Bible

UPDATE – Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli (Monticello) won the 2015 International European Amateur Championship in Slovakia with a 269 -19 total after rounds of 65, 67, 69 and 68.

Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli – 2015 Champion (Photo: EGA Website)

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4th August 2015

The International European Amateur Championship starts tomorrow at the Penati Golf Resort in Slovakia.

Here’s all you need to know about this prestigious event that is run by the European Golf Association (EGA).

History
This year’s championship will be the 28th in the history of a competition which was first contested in 1986.

It has been hosted in 16 different countries to date, with Slovakia becoming the 17th this week. It has been played in Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) on 6 occasions; the courses to host the event being Hillside (1991), Dalmahoy (1993), Celtic Manor (1999), Nairn (2003), Carton House (2012) and The Duke’s St. Andrews (2014) last year.

Former winners who have gone on to enjoy successful professional careers include Stephen Gallacher (1994), Sergio Gracia (1995), Gregory Havret (1999), Carl Pettersson (2000), Rory McIlroy (2006) and Victor Dubuisson (2009).

In addition to Gallacher and McIlroy other GB&I past winners include Jim Payne (1991), Paddy Gribben (1998), Stephen Browne (2001), Brian McElhinney (2003), Matthew Richardson (2004), Rhys Pugh (2012) and Ashley Chesters (2013 and 2014). Chesters is the only player to have won the Championship twice.

Ashley Chesters (ENG) – 2013 (and 2014) Champion (Photo: EGA Website)

Competition Format
The International European Amateur is a 72-hole stroke play event. 18-holes are played daily over four days.

A 54-hole cut will be in force with the 60 lowest scores and ties qualifying for the final day’s 18.

The Field
144 players will contest the Championship.

All of the players must have handicaps of 0.0 or better with an entry ballot applied based on World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Exemptions were also available to the defending champion, a single nomination from each EGA member nation, competitors in the most recent Bonallack Trophy, St. Andrew’s Trophy and Jacques Léglise Trophy events as well as four players from the host nation.

The start sheet for Round 1 is here (as will be the draws for subsequent rounds) – 2015 International European Amateur Championship Draw.

44 players from GB&I are competing in Slovakia this week. With The Walker Cup fast approaching a strong performance here could clearly make the world of difference to the selection hopes of some of these players.

As one would expect a number of Europe’s leading amateurs are competing. Some of the most noteworthy and in form being Pep Angles (ESP), David Boote (WAL), Ashley Chesters (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Paul Dunne (IRE), Mattias Eggenberger (SUI), Mario Galliano (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE), Lukas Lipold (AUS), Robert MacIntyre (SCO), Antoine Rozner (FRA), Cormac Sharvin (IRE), Martin Simonsen (DEN) and Robbie Van West (NED),

Penati Golf Resort
The championship will be played on The Legends Course at the Penati Golf Resort. Penati is located in Senica, in the Zahorie region of western Slovakia, generally accepted as being the geographical centre of Europe.

It was designed by the Nicklaus Design company and opened in August 2012. The course is set within an area of scots pines, silver birch, heather and benefits from a sandy sub-soil. It has moderately wide fairways, 57 deep bunkers and four lakes which particularly influence play on the holes near to the clubhouse.

The course, from the championship tees, plays anything between 6,313m to 6,536m. It is either a par 72 (as it will be this week) or a 73. The key difference being the 15th hole which has 11 different tees – it is said to be the longest hole in Europe from the very back. The 15th is either played as a 493m par 5 or if stretched a record breaking 716m par 6. The other notable hole is the 18th, a 342m par 4 played to an island green right in front of the clubhouse (see photo above).

The course is spacious enough to accommodate thousands of spectators. Whilst the International European Amateur will be the first major amateur competition it has held it is already the home of the D+D REAL Slovakia event, played on the European Challenge Tour (2014-16).

The Legends was the first of two courses opened in 2012 at the resort. The Heritage Course, a 6,230m par 72, was designed by English architect Jonathan Davison of Create Golf.

Weather Forecast
Near perfect golfing conditions, if a little warm, are currently being forecast for Senica.

As at 8.00 am on Tuesday 4th August the forecast is: –
Weds 5th August – Partly Cloudy. Wind 4 mph (S). Max. 34°C / Min 19°C.
Thurs 6th August – Sunny. Wind 2 mph (SW). Max. 36°C / Min 20°C.
Fri 7th August – Sunny. Wind 6 mph (NW). Temp. Max. 37°C / Min 22°C.
Sat 8th August – Partly Cloudy. Wind 10 mph (N). Temp. Max. 38°C / Min 20°C.

Prizes
Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the Top 3 finishers.

The winner also receives an invitation to compete in next year’s Open Championship – in 2016 this will be held at Royal Troon in Scotland. Ashley Chesters used his this year to good effect finishing Tied 12th at St. Andrews.

The Championship Trophy is held by the winning player’s national golf authority.

Event Coverage
If you want to follow the EGA’s live scoring for the event here’s the link – International European Amateur Championship Golfbox Event Webpage.

ME.

2014 Men’s Amateur Golf – The GolfBible Top 10

Posted on 30/12/2014 by Golf Bible

30th December 2014

Here’s my top 10 achievements for the 2014 calendar year: –

1. Gunn Yang wins the US Amateur in one of the biggest surprises in the event’s history
The 20 year old South Korean was so out of form following back surgery in May 2013 that he had has his scholarship cut at San Diego State earlier in the year and had fallen to No. 776 in the WAGRs. From 6,803 entrants he got into the field of 312 and qualified for the Top 64 match play stage. He then knocked out favourite after favourite before defeating Canada’s Cory Connors 2&1 in the final.

2. Bradley Neil wins the Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush
A fabulous win, helped by a superb short game, for Scotland’s 18 year old protege as he defeated South Africa’s Zander Lombard 2&1 in the final. Ranked 38th in the WAGR at the start of play Neil moved up into the Top 10 and will now be looking forward to the spoils of victory in 2015.

Bradley Neil Celebrates His Life Changing Win

3. Oliver Goss and Matt Fitzpatrick do Amateur Golf proud in the Majors
Australia’s Oliver Goss, runner up in the 2013 US Amateur to Matt Fitzpatrick, finished 49th in the US Masters. The only amateur to make the cut, rounds of 76, 71, 76 and 75 helped to secure him the Amateur Sterling Silver Cup. Fitzpatrick playing in his last amateur event at the US Open did equally as well. In securing the low amateur medal at Pinehurst he became the first player to double up at The Open and the US Open since Bobby Jones in 1930.

Oliver Goss and Matt Fitzpatrick With Their Low Amateur Prizes

4. Jon Rahm wins the Individual title at the World Amateur Team
Spain’s Arizona State studying Rahm won the Individual title at the Eisenhower Trophy in Japan with a -23 total score, breaking Jack Nicklaus’ event record that had stood since 1960. Rounds of 70, 64, 62 and 67 in September won praise from around the world of golf. The USA beat Canada by 2-shots to win the Team title with a total of 534 (-38), a full 20 shots better then the previous best set by The Netherlands in 2006.

John Rahm With The World Amateur Team IndIvidual Medal

5. Italy’s Renato Paratore qualifies for the European Tour
By winning the Portuguese International Amateur and the gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games in China Paratore had secured himself a Top 10 place in the WAGR. But that wasn’t enough for the 17 year old Italian from Rome so he topped off his year by finishing 3rd at the European Tour Final Q-School. It will be interesting to see how he goes on the Tour in 2015. Good news for the Italian Golf Federation so soon after the emergence of Matteo Manassero.

Renato Paratore – Gold Medal Winner

6. Thriston Lawrence wins the Lytham Trophy
Thriston retained his South African Amateur title in March 2014 before securing the prestigious Lytham Trophy in May. He turned Pro in June and 18 earlier this month and will be hoping to make his mark in the Pro ranks in 2015.

Thriston Lawrence Accepts The Lytham Trophy

7. Haydn McCullen completes a McEvoy and Carris Trophy U18 Double
Delamere Forest’s Haydn McCullen won two of the U18 GB&I majors in 2014. Rounds of 66, 69, 70 and 74 (-5) were good enough to beat defending champion Bradley Moore at Copt Heath GC. Whilst at Moor Park GC rounds of 71, 75, 72 and 70 (L) ultimately led to a first hole play off victory again over Keddleston Park’s Moore. McCullen who turned 18 in August is expected to turn Pro later this year and join Fitzpatrick and Lawrence (see above) in the ISM stable. Moore, a year younger and now 17 will no doubt be looking forward to another winning year in Junior golf.

Haydn McCullen With The McEvoy Trophy (l) and Carris Trophy (r)

8. Our various Amateur Teams just kept on winning
A superb final day’s single series – 8.5 out of 10 points being won – helped Europe to a 18.5-11.5 victory in the Palmer Cup at Walton Heath GC. Europe also retained the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy in Bangalore, India beating the Asia-Pacific team 17.5-14.5. Later in the year GB&I then had a double win in Barsebäck, Sweden winning the Men’s St. Andrews Trophy (14-10) and the U18 Boys Jacques Leglise Trophy (12.5-11.5). Well done to all !

9. Ashley Chesters retained his European Amateur Championship
The 24 year old Hawkstone Park player won his second consecutive European Amateur at the Duke’s Course, thus qualifying for the 2015 St. Andrews Open.

Ashley Chesters – 2013 & 2014 European Amateur Champion

10. Sam Horsfield continues to live up to the hype and let’s his golf do the talking
The Florida-based but Manchester born junior won the New Year’s Invitational and Junior Players events and showed outstanding consistency in his stroke play scoring. His name is increasingly preceded by the word ‘medalist’ and another good year in 2015 should culminate in Walker Cup selection before he heads off to college at the University of Florida.

Sam Horsfield With The Junior Players Trophy

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European Tour Q-School – 2016 Final Stage Results

International European Amateur Championship (2015)

2014 Men’s Amateur Golf – The GolfBible Top 10