Bryan and Donnelly best as Irish endure mixed day at Alps Tour Q-School

Photo Credit: Federico Capretti/ Alps Tour Golf 

Irish golfers made a mixed start to the First Stage of the Alps Tour Qualifying School in Italy.

A total of 193 players are competing at three venues for 77 spots at next week’s 2023 Alps Tour Qualifying School Finals.

The top 28 at Terre dei Consoli will qualify after 36 holes with Simon Bryan the best of the Irish, tied for fourth after opening with a two-under 70.

He’s three shots behind Scotland’s John Paterson, who shot 67 to lead by a shot from English amateur Mason Essam.

Kilkenny’s Luke Donnelly is tied 17th after opening with a one-over 73 with AJ McCabe tied 23rd after a 74,

However, Brandon St John (78), Karl Goodwin (81), teenager Jake Foley (86) and Andrew Browne (92) had disappointing days.

The top 28 will qualify at Golf Club Le Fonti where Italian amateur Lorenzo Casartelli shot a three-under 68 to lead by a shot at a venue where just six players broke par.

The top 21 will progress at Miglianico Golf & Country Club where England’s Ian Clark leads with a five-under-par 65.

The Final Stage will take place at Golf Nazionale and Olgiata Golf Club in northern Rome from November 15th-17th