Dallat and Brink lead Irish at Alps Tour Q-School

Amateur Michael Dallat made an eagle and four birdies in a two-under 69 to lead the Irish challenge at the Final Stage of the Alps Tour Qualifying School in Spain.

The Hilton Templepatrick player is tied for ninth place on two-under-par with Switzerland based Justin Brink, four strokes off the lead on a day when Simon Bryan was disqualified at a breezy La Cala Resort near Malaga.

South Africa's Albert Venter carded a six-under 65 on the America Course to lead from Spain's Ivan Cantero, who shot a four-under-par 68 at the Asia Course in the 54-hole race for 35 cards.

Venter, who won the First Stage earlier this week, was pleased with his opening round.

"The course looks like some in South Africa." the 21-year-old said. "It is a bit shorter but it is narrow and you have to keep the ball in play.

"I am happy to keep on playing well. I have some experience of playing in the wind, in Scotland for example. I played some events on European Tour, (Dunhill Links) but I missed the first stage by one so I am here to play in Europe next year."

Mount Juliet's Stephen Grant is tied for 11th after he made two birdies and a bogey in a one-under 70 on the America Course where Naas' Conor O'Rourke made three birdies and three bogeys in a level par 71 to share 18th.

David Carey is tied 64th after a four-over 75 on the America Course and just a shot inside the top 65 who qualify for the third and final round on the Asia Course.

Players making the cut of the Final Qualifying Stage and finishing between the 36th and the 65th position will be eligible for Category 8 membership of the Alps Tour for the 2018 season while those finishing between 66th and the 144th will be eligible for Category 9 membership.

Players in categories 8 and 9 will be subject to the 2018 re-rank policy adopted by the Alps Tour Committee. 

Alps Tour Qualifying School, La Cala Resort (Asia Course Par 72; America Course, Par 71)

Detailed scores

T5 Justin Brink 70 (-2, Asia); Michael Dallat (Am) 69 (-2 America)

T11 Stephen Grant 70 (-1, America); 

T18 Conor O'Rourke 71 (E, America)

T64 David Carey 75 (+4, America)

Disq. Simon Bryan  (America)

from News - Irish Golf Desk http://ift.tt/2AHoWrb