Well this is the last event of the 2014 Algarve Pro Golf Tour swing and we are here at a sun soaked Boavista Golf and Resort just outside of Lagos in the western Algarve playing the first round.
What a first round it turned out to be with 11 players equalling or breaking par but breaking par did in no way describe the leader James Maw’s first round.
Destroyed par would be a more accurate description as he blazed around Boavista in 9 under par carding a brilliant 62 and establish a 4 shot lead over Tyler Hogarty and a 5 shot lead over Josh Carpenter and Marcus Armitage.
Local interest was provided by Tiago Cruz on 3 under par and Hugo Santos who carded a 2 under par round of 69.
Maw’s round was error free and comprised 9 birdies and 9 pars in a superb exhibition of golf but the race is by no means run and no lead is ever big enough as has been seen in recent years on the main tours of the world.
The second day started with showers but they soon cleared to leave a beautifully sunny day for the players and we were looking forward to an exciting days play.
Michael Downes was the first to show his intentions and put together a great round of 7 under par 64 to rocket up the leader board stake a claim for some of the prize fund.
Tiago Cruz knocked Downes off his perch adding a 4 under par 67 to his first round of 68 to finish the tournament on 7 under par.
The talented young German, Max Eichmeier raised the bar again to 8 under par after carding a fine 5 under par 66 in the penultimate group.
However James Maw was always able to handle the pressure of leading the tournament and put together a clinical round of 2 under par 69 to win by 3 shots although he let slip a couple of bogeys in the last few holes.
Boavista, as its name implies, has fabulous views and is a superb venue offering great golf, an outstanding fitness centre and numerous other sports including Archery. With luxury villas available for rent it is the perfect place for a golfing holiday either with the family or as a group of golfing friends.
We would like to thank the golf reception staff led by Charlie Milsom who always provide a friendly and welcoming service, head green keeper, Joaquim Costa and his staff, who have worked extremely hard to provide an immaculate golf course for the players and the course Marshall, Howard Start and his team could not have been more helpful in setting up the impressive scoreboard and assisting us during the tournament.
The Algarve Pro Golf Tour would like to thank The PGA Portugal for their help in running the 6 tournaments in 2014 and look forward to their assistance in the 9 events we will be running in 2015.
Congratulations to Harry Casey on winning the 2014 Order of Merit and with it a start in the Madeira Islands Open, courtesy of The PGA Portugal and a free season competing on the Jamega Pro Golf Tour in 2015.
Don’t forget that the same is on offer in the next series of 3 swings in 2015, a Madeira Islands Open start for 2015 and another Free Jamega Tour 2015 Season.
We hope you all have a great Christmas and a very happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all again next year.
