Swiss amateur Elvis Gonzalez left his rivals all shook up in surviving a late charge from American Bill McKiegan to claim a narrow victory and be crowned overall champion in the inaugural ORIZONTE Lisbon Golf Trophy.
Gonzalez looked to be heading for a comfortable win as he held a five-point advantage over McKiegan and France’s Brigite Malangin entering the final round of the 72-hole Stableford event, which was organised by ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf and took place across four courses in Portugal’s Costa Azul region, south of the Portuguese capital.
But six-handicapper McKiegan had other ideas as he mounted a spirited final-day comeback to score 37 points at Santo Estêvão – the joint-best score of the week – to close the gap to just one point before Gonzalez finally sealed victory.
Gonzalez, who plays off 12, finished with a total of 129 Stableford points in the nett competition, one ahead of McKiegan, with France’s Christelle Le Maux clinching third place on countback from Ireland’s Pat Comeford, nine points further back.
Elvis Gonzalez (center) leaves his rivals shaking all over after claiming victory in the inaugural 2015 Orizonte Lisbon Trophy.
Sixteen-handicapper Le Maux and Comeford both had some consolation for their efforts with the former, who plays at Saint-Malo Golf Resort, winning the ladies’ Stableford nett first prize and the latter, who plays off four at Corrstown Golf Club near Dublin, coming out top in the gross Stableford points category.
Golfers from countries including England, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Estonia and America gathered near Lisbon for the first staging of the event, which was launched by ORIZONTE to help showcase some of Lisbon’s finest and best-value courses.
As well as enjoying four tournament rounds at Aroeira 1, Ribagolfe 1, Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club and Santo Estêvão, competitors also enjoyed five nights’ accommodation at the four-star Sesimbra Hotel & SPA and a number of cultural highlights including a Fado dinner, wine-cellar visit and tasting.
Launched last year, ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf offers the chance to play some of the leading courses in close proximity to Portugal’s capital together with exceptional value for money on a wide range of accommodation options across the region.
In addition to Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club and Ribagolfe, which offers two outstanding 18-hole courses, Aroeira features two championship layouts including Aroeira I, venue for the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997.
Golfers can also enjoy the 7,000-plus yards challenge at Santo Estevão, while the extensive practice facilities available across the venues help make ORIZONTE the ideal option for individuals and groups looking to book a stay, play and learn package.
For more details about how to enter the 2016 ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf Trophy, and for a full list of ORIZONTE – Lisbon Golf packages, email info@orizontelisbongolf.com .
