l-r Wayne Hachey, Paco Sardina,Miguel Martin,Florian Fritsch,Jonathan Caldwell.photo Jos Linckens www.golfsupport.nl

New graduate of the 2011 European Tour Florian Fritsch showed today why he belongs to the elite of the game today at El Valle. Fritsch fired a course record 62 on the final round to post a 3 round total of -11 and a one shot victory over Miguel Angel Martin and Jonathan Caldwell. Martin started the day 3 shots ahead of Caldwell, but it was Fritsch coming from way back in the field and posting the mark to beat early in the clubhouse. His birdie barrage started on hole 4 and his “7″ birdies in a row went all the way through hole 10. “It was a remarkable day, I never imagined to be here making the winners speech today with Miguel playing so solidly all week, but I guess it was my day today” commented the young German. For Martin it was a bit of a disappointment. ” I hit the ball solid all week”, I made a costly bogey on 16 and missing a great opportunity on 18 to force the play-off, but that is golf” explained the Spanish veteran.

Fritsch is on the starting list also next week at Peraleja and will of course a heavy favorite amongst the 122 player field. The Peraleja Open will begin on February 17.

Winner of the 2011 El Valle Open-Florian Fritsch

The Thomas Sabo winners watch-photo by www.golfsupport.nl

Miguel Angel Martin of Spain enjoys a 3 shot lead after round 2. photo-Jos Linckens.www.golfsupport.nl

Miguel Angel Martin posted a spectacular 64 today and now enjoys a 3 shot lead going into the final round of the 2011 El Valle Open. The european tour spanish veterans round included 5 birdies and an eagle and not a single bogey. Weather conditions were perfect today with bright blue skies,warm temperatures and virtually no wind. What the players did have to face were extremely slick greens, as the El Valle course was prepared for a regular European tour event with greens measuring close to 12 on the stimp meter. The cut for the top 40 players came in at +3 with a field that included several highly notable names such as Sam Hutsby, Mark Mouland and new European tour member, Florian Fritsch of Germany.

Currently in second place by himself at -9 is Jonathan Caldwell of Ireland who shot 66 today. In joint 3rd are Jack Doherty (SCO),Carlos Garcia (ESP)and James Busby (ENG) all at -6 after 36 holes. The fine high pressure system that has been in Spain the past 10 days is forecasted to continue for the next few days.

The final round will begin tomorrow at 8:30

Miguel Angel Martin from Spain

James Maw of England set the pace for the 116 player field with a solid 65 today at El Valle. Maw’s round featured 7 birdies and only 1 bogey on the Jack Nicklaus signature course near Murcia, Spain. Maw holds a narrow one shot margin over European Tour veteran Miguel Angel Martin who shot a bogey free round of 66 and John Gallagher of Scotland who also shot a 66. Hi5 Pro Tour officials had their hands full today with the large field and managed to get all the players in today except for 3 players. Round 2 will begin tomorrow morning at 8:10 where the top 40 professionals and ties will move onto the final round.

l-r,TD-Wayne Hachey,Lloyd Saltman,Joachim Hansen,James Hepworth

The recent graduate to the main European Tour, Lloyd Saltman closed the deal today at Hacienda del Alamo with another fine performance from the Scotsman. Lloyd fired a fine 6 under 66 today and a final total of -21 for the 54 hole event. Saltman hopes to take his current form where his next competitors ended up 13 shots behind to Dubai next week. ” I am just waiting for the call”, Dubai is a big event where a lot of top players come, but let us wait and see what happens”. “In any case it has been a great week for me here at Hacienda, the course was fantastic and it is great training for both my game and confidence for my year ahead,” commented Saltman. In joint second were Joachim Hansen of Denmark and James Hepworth of England, both who finished at -8. Saltman won the €3900.00 and the famous Thomas Sabo winners watch.

There was a 3 way tie for 4th with Carlos Balmaseda from Spain, Elliot Saltman of Scotland and Gareth Shaw of England

Lloyd Saltman of Scotland a 64 in round 2

Lloyd Saltman followed up his first round of 65 yesterday with a spectacular round of 64 today. His round consisted of 6 birdies and an eagle and not a single bogey on the card. Conditions were perfect for the international field, the winds that were present yesterday vanished overnight and there were lots of birdies to be taken for the 88 players representing 16 countries here this week at the fabulous Hacienda del Alamo resort in Fuente Alamo,Spain. Saltman now enjoys a 8 shot lead going into the final round of the 54 hole event over James Busby of England who shot a fine round of 65 today. Tied in 3rd are Jamie Abbott and Gareth Shaw of England both at -5. The cut for the top 40 came in at +4.

Other notables Miguel Angel Martin par

Mark Mouland +4

Final Round play commences tomorrow at 9:00a.m.

Lloyd Saltman of Scotland opened the Hacienda del Alamo today with a 65!

Lloyd Saltman of Scotland opened with a 65 today and leads the 2011 Hacienda del Alamo Open. Lloyd who has recently graduated to the European Tour round consisted of a even par 36 on the front nine, but a record breaking back nine score of 29 which included 7 birdies! Lloyd has been a regular on the Hi5 Pro Tour the past few seasons and has used the valuable “winter tour” experience on the Hi5 Pro Tour to elevate his game to the next level. Saltman holds a 4 shot lead over Elias Bertheussen of Norway, Jamie Abott of England and last weeks first time winner Ken Benz of Switzerland all who shot 69 on the 6700+ meter Hacienda del Alamo golf course. Top amateur is Oddvar  Hjellegjerde of Norway who shot a fine round of 70. This week features a strong field composing of several European Tour and Challenge Tour players keeping their games in shape for the upcoming season.

Players were faced with gusting winds,cool temperatures and extremely slick greens where only 12 players were able to shoot under par of the 54 hole event and part one of the 2011 Hi5 Pro Tour Murcia Swing.

Tomorrow’s play commences at 9:00 a.m. and after round 2, the top 40 and ties will move onto the final round.

Oddvar Hjellegjerde current top amateur

2011 Oliva Nova Winners- Men's Ken Benz, Ladies Merlin Palm

The final day saw the unfortunate expected rain come and it posed a great challenge for the international field at the 2011 Oliva Nova Open. The rain started early in the morning and continued throughout the entire day, Hi5 Pro Tour officials had a tough job but managed with squeegee’s to complete the 54 hole event at Oliva Nova. Tournament Director Wayne Hachey and his team kept the competition going. “We could have easily said, the day is canceled, but my partner Nigel German and I are committed to preparing these young players for the main tour and we know they will face these conditions on the main tour. We were literally pushed to the limit today but it would be totally unfair to the players who fought all day through the tough conditions and then to have the day canceled, however we still have to maintain FAIR conditions for all players” commented Hachey.

In the end it was Ken Benz, the newly turned professional from Zurich, Switzerland who played in fine fashion despite the torrential rain fall. Ken stared the day 1 shot behind, but birdied 3 out of the first 4 holes to take the lead over Joachim Hansen (DEN) and James Watts(ENG) who both shared the lead after 36 holes. Benz was rock solid today with his performance and his only mistake came at the 17th where he doubled the par 5, but he quickly answered with another birdie on the 18th. Benz’s final round of 69 included 5 birdies in very adverse weather conditions and gave him a comfortable 3 shot margin of victory over Joachim Hansen.  Tied for 3rd was European Tour veteran Jose Manuel Carriles who scored the only other sub par round of the day with 71 and James Watts from England who both ended at -4.

In the ladies division, amateur Merlin Palm from Estonia was the decisive winner with rounds of  72,78,82 and a 7 shot margin of victory over Rhian Wyn Thomas of Wales.

Joachim Hansen 68 today in round 2 tied for the lead

Joachim Hansen(DEN) and James Watts(ENG) have so far matched round for round at the 2011 Oliva Nova Open. Both players shot a 2 under 70 in round 1 and today they both managed fine rounds of 68 to lead the event at -6 after 36 holes. They both share a narrow one shot margin over Ken Benz from Switzerland and yesterdays leader Tom Shadbolt(ENG). European Tour veteran Jose Manuel Carriles(ESP) finds himself 3 back after his 69 today along with James Busby of England. Players enjoyed cooler weather today with some sunshine coming throughout the day,making conditions very favorable for good scoring.

In the ladies division Merlin Palm from Estonia lengthened her lead to 10 after a 76 today and +4 for the tournament.

Final round commences tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.

Englands Tom Shadbolt leads after an opening 67

 The 2011 Hi5 Pro Tour got underway today at the Oliva Nova Golf & Beach Resort in Oliva, Spain. It was Tom Shadbolt from England who fired a bogey free round at the Seve Ballesteros design and is the current leader at -5. Shadbolt holds a narrow one shot lead over countryman James Busby and Sebastian Garcia of Spain, both who shot fine 68’s and are at -4. Joachim Hansen(DEN) and James Watts(ENG) are both tied for 4th after their 2 under par 70’s. In the ladies and seniors division, amateur Merlin Palm of Estonia shot a fired a 72 and holds an 8 shot lead. 

Round 2 of the 54 hole event will start tomorrow at 9:00.

Merlin Palm from Estonia leads the ladies after a level par 72

Less than 28 days until the official start of the 2011 Hi5 Pro Tour season where the tour starts out at the Oliva Nova Open from January 25-27. The week following the €120,000 MURCIA SUN SERIES will take place!!!

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