Quim Vidal wins the 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open with a birdie on the 3rdhole of sudden-death playoff. Netherland’s Lars Keunen, Spain’s Quim Vidal, Egypt’s Issa Abou El Ela (am), and Netherland’s Davey Porsius all concluded their final round at Sokhna Golf Club tied for the lead, therefore taking part in the four-way sudden-death playoff thanks to their three-day score of 14 under-par. In 5th place, 3 shots back at 11 under-par, defending champion, France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy.

After today’s final round, Alps Tour President, Mr Marco Durante commented: “I’m very proud that the Alps Tour keeps growing, giving more possibilities to young talented golfers from all over the world a chance to compete and try to reach the next level of professional golf.”  Since 2001, the tour has expanded, visiting more countries also across the Mediterranean Sea, allowing more players the opportunity to compete.

Quim Vidal captures his first professional win at the 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open after 3 holes of a sudden-death play-off with a 5-meter putt. Quim shot a 4 under-par 68 during today’s final round with 2 bogeys and 6 birdies for a three-day total at 14 under-par which tied him in the lead alongside 3 other players. When he completed the play-off, he was delighted even though he didn’t “hit the ball my best today but the short game was really nice. I had a rough start but then I made 2 birdies making some nice putts that gave me confidence and that was able to put me on top of the leaderboard. Even if it wasn’t my best day I was making the putts and staying patient because I knew birdies would come.” He went on to express his joy about capturing his first professional win by saying, “this win feels really nice, I have a lot of confidence heading into the rest of the season and I’m really looking forward to it. This is my first professional win and couldn’t dedicate it to anyone else other than my team, my family and my friends that support me every day.”

Davey Porsius from the Netherlands shot a final round of 3 under par with 4 birdies and 1 bogey to conclude the tournament tied for the lead at 14 under par. He is a previous winner on the Alps Tour winning the 2022 Hauts de France- Pas de Calais Golf Open. After his round, Davey commented on how well he played today but couldn’t “make any putts. I chipped in on 14, which was nice to give me the necessary birdie to share the lead. I got a bad break on 17 with my iron shot into the green and missed the putt.”  When asked about the playoff, he commented: “I, unfortunately, lost the playoff to a well-holed putt from 4 or 5 meters from Quim Vidal. I tried to stay steady throughout the entire round and the playoff but couldn’t hole putts at all.”

Egyptian amateur Issa Abou El Ela who represents Alexandria Sporting Club was one of the four players who took part in the sudden-death playoff at 14 under par. He was on top of the leaderboard for the first two rounds and his performance continued with a 3 under-par, 69 in today’s final round. After concluding his final round, he had mixed emotions: “I’m very disappointed I couldn’t get the win here in my home country. However, it was a fun day with Davey. We kept matching each other with birdies. Going up 17 I was able to make a clutch birdie; however, I knew the guys in front had chances, and Davey also did, so I tried to stay in the moment.” He went on to add, “it meant a lot to me to see so many people around the greens just clapping and being there for me. They’ve seen the struggles, and for me to have a chance to win here and give back to them would have been incredible.” He was pleased about his game: “It’s a step in the right direction; these players are all tour pros and playing at an excellent level, so for me to match them, I’m delighted. Hopefully, I will have another chance in the future. I would love to be able to play more Alps Tour events.”

Netherland’s Lars Keunen, shot a 6 under round 66 today with 2 bogeys and 8 birdies to be the 4th player tied for the lead at 14 under par. He had a strong finish today, with 6 of the birdies occurring on the back nine, which allowed him to gain a spot into the playoff for the title.

Defending champion, 18 years old France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy shot the low round of the day in the final round today with a 7 under-par, 65. He concludes his tournament with a three-day total of 11 under par and in 5th place. Oihan won this event last year as an amateur at 17 years old and now competes as a professional since he changed his playing status at the beginning of December 2022. He began his round with an eagle on the 3rd hole and then 6 birdies until a bogey on the last hole. 

The Alps Tour Order of Merit rank after the first two events of the season has Quim Vidal leading and Jack Floydd and Davey Porsius to close out the top three spots. In 4th place, Andrea Romano and in 5th place Cristiano Terragni.

Quim Vidal winner of the 2023 Red Sea Little Venice Open, earned 6,525 Order of Merit points and the winning check of €5,800. 

Now, the Alps Tour players will have a few weeks off before the third event of the 2023 season. 

The post Quim Vidal wins his first Alps Tour event appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Apart from a schedule which features 11 tournaments in the New Year and visits five countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, players will battle it out for chances to play the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, cards on Asian and Alps Tours as well as several invites to play events on the European, Challenge and Asian Tours.

The biggest incentive remains the spots in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the top three professional and the Leading Amateur will be guaranteed a start in the oldest European Tour event in the Middle East when it is held in 2021. That’s an increase of one from 2019 as only the top two professionals and the leading amateur were eligible this season.

The Journey to Jordan (Order of Merit) professional winner also receives an Asian Tour Country Exemption card for the 2021 season, a full card on the 2020 Alps Tour and three Challenge Tour invites, apart from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic start.

The Leading Amateur also receives an Alps Tour exemption for 2020 and at least one start on the European Challenge Tour.

The second-placed professional on the Journey to Jordan gets three starts on the Asian Tour, a full card on the 2020 Alps Tour and an exemption to the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

The third and fourth placed professionals also receive full cards on the Alps Tour and a place in the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School. The third ranked player also gets an Omega Dubai Desert Classic spot and two starts on the Challenge Tour.

The winner of the Ghala Open, to be held February 16-19 at Ghala Golf Club in Muscat, Oman, will receive a spot at the European Tour’s $1.75 million Oman Open at Al Mouj Golf the following week.

David Spencer, Strategic Advisor to the MENA Tour by Arena, commented: “One of the biggest objectives for us at the MENA Tour by Arena is to provide our members with pathways to some of the main tours and increase their playing opportunities.

“Our announcement today will definitely excite the players. There are a few more invitations which we will reveal in due course. We are thankful to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Asian Tour and our new partners Alps Tour in helping us create these wonderful opportunities for them.”

The MENA Tour by Arena was established in the UAE in 2011 and has grown over the years to become one of the most exciting development tours in the world. With a minimum prize fund of $75,000 and Official World Golf Ranking points, it offers excellent growth opportunities for professionals and the top amateurs.

The 2020 season of the Tour starts with the Qualifying School from January 20 onwards at Ayla Golf Club in Aqaba, Jordan. Registration for the Qualifying Schools are now being accepted on www.menatour.golf.

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