Antognolla Golf witnessed a dramatic final round comeback as Stefano Mazzoli shot a superb bogey free round of 61 (-10) to make the play-off and then secure the Antognolla Alps Open crown with a birdie at the first extra hole.
Having just made the cut for the final round by one shot, Mazzoli started the day 9 shots behind the leader, Stefano Pitoni. It seemed certain the winner would come from the likes of Pitoni, Jacopo Vecchi Fossa, the current Alps Tour Order of Merit leader, or the young Spanish amateur Joel Moscatel, who were within 2 shots of Pitoni as they teed off.
However, out on the course, Mazzoli was compiling a round of eight (8) birdies and an eagle, which catapulted him into a five way play-off with Pitoni and fellow Italian Filippo Bergamaschi, along with Paul McBride from Ireland and Alex Esmatges from Spain. The five headed back to hole 18 and a birdie at the first play-off hole completed the comeback for Mazzoli and secured him the title and winner’s cheque of €5,800 from the overall prize fund of €40,000.
“I didn’t expect it” was the reaction from Mazzoli, after receiving the Antognolla Alps Open trophy, his second on the Alps Tour. He added “It’s a beautiful victory that I really did not expect at the start of the day. I felt a low round was coming for some time and it has brought me this joy. I dedicate this win to my family, girlfriend and all those who support me.”
The win moves Mazzoli up to 5th on the 2021 Alps Tour Order of Merit, with Jacopo Vecchi Fossa still leading the way from Matteo Manassero, who finished sixth at Antognolla, after his best of the tournament final round of 67.
César Burguière, Golf Director at Antognolla Golf, commented “The feedback from all concerned has been truly positive. We are sure we will see some of the players and their friends and families back at Antognolla in the future and it is clear it is a favourite amongst them as a tournament venue. We cannot thank enough the presenting sponsor, +energia, and all the other sponsors, for supporting the event.”
César also added: “Thanks go also to the whole Antognolla team for a successful event and in particular, the golf course maintenance team, led by Gian Mario Geromino, in presenting the golf course in such wonderful condition.”
The Antognolla Alps Open is part of the Italian Pro Tour, which is supported by DS Automobiles (Main Sponsor); Fideuram (Official Bank); Kappa and Eureco (Official Suppliers); Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport and Il Giornale (Media Partners) and the Federazione Italiana Golf official advisor, Infront Sports & Media.
Another clear winner of the event was Umbria and Antognolla Golf itself. The stunning beauty of the location, the quality of the golf course and the immaculate presentation, was praised by all of the players and officials. The extensive renovation of the golf course in 2018 and the continued investment by the owners in the resort, has delivered its own dramatic comeback!
Conceived by renowned designer Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the clever layout makes Antognolla Golf an exciting and satisfying course for golfers of all abilities. The team at Robert Trent Jones Jnr has carefully guided the improvements to the course as part of a significant investment in irrigation systems, total bunker renovation programme, tee resurfacing, introduction of unirrigated native fescue areas, expanded new driving range and substantial drainage to ensure all year-round playability www.antognollagolf.com
