The sunshine island of Tenerife has established itself as one of the new ‘must-play’ destinations for golfers to this summer and it was certainly to Moritz Lampert’s liking as the German claimed his second win in three weeks on the Challenge Tour.
Lampert was among a high-class field of players from the European Tour’s second tier who headed to Tecina Golf for the Fred Olsen Challenge de España on the largest of the Canary Islands.
The 22-year-old started the last day two strokes adrift of Italian Matteo Delpodio but carded a superb final-round 63 to come charging through the field and win by two shots from Belgian Hugues Joannes.
In addition to playing the par-71 Donald Steel layout, the international field also had the privilege of staying and enjoying the facilities at the nearby Hotel Jardin Tecina, and the venue won widespread praise from the competitors for the five-star treatment they received throughout their visit to Tenerife.
A spokesman for the Tenerife Tourism Corporation (TTC) said: “The event was very important to us in helping to raise awareness about golf on the island and we were delighted with the response and feedback we received from the players.
“Tecina Golf looked in immaculate condition and we were rewarded with a fantastic tournament with a deserved winner as a result. Playing golf in Tenerife has so much to offer all-year round and we’re hoping this will help us continue the momentum we have built up over the last few months.”
Lampert’s winning score of 20-under par earned him a cheque for €25,600, which moved the 22 year old to second place behind Spaniard Jordi Garcia Pinto in the Challenge Tour Rankings and within sight of sealing a swift return to The European Tour.
The German, who also clinched victory at last month’s Kärnten Golf Open and is good friends with new US Open champion Martin Kaymer and European Tour stars Marcel Siem and Max Kiefer, never looked back after starting his final round with birdies at the first three holes.
His only bogey of the day at the sixth was sandwiched between further gains at the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth holes. With Delpodio struggling, Lampert took a firm grip on proceedings when he holed a huge putt for birdie on the 11th green and his ninth birdie of the day at the penultimate hole allowed him to close out victory in comfortable fashion.
Lampert said: “I played really well, especially on the front nine. I decided to play aggressively, there were many good guys there with chances to win, so I knew I had to go low and it worked out.
“It’s funny, the week didn’t start very well at all when I almost missed my boat here, and it was a very long trip to get here. But then as soon as I got here, everything went well. I like the course, the place, the facilities – it’s amazing. You can’t get upset, even if you hit a bad shot.”
Tecina Golf is situated in a stunning location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the beautiful island of La Gomera, just a 40-minute ferry ride from Tenerife mainland, and is one of a wonderful portfolio of courses being showcased by Tenerife Golf – the TTC’s golfing arm – this summer.
In addition to Tecina Golf, Tenerife features eight other different and varied layouts: Buenavista in the west; Real Club de Golf de Tenerife in the north; and Golf Costa Adeje, Abama, Las Americas, Golf del Sur, Amarilla, and Los Palos in the south.
Blessed with average summer temperatures of 23⁰, the island offers the ideal location for a golf break over the coming months, and Tenerife will host its second major tournament later this year when the Ladies’ Spanish Open will take place at Golf Costa Adeje from September 18-21.
For more information about golf in Tenerife, visit www.webtenerife.com/golf; www.facebook.com/TenerifeGolf or @TwiTenerifeGolf. There is also a new Tenerife Golf app available to download free.
ENDS
Information for journalists:
ABOUT TENERIFE
FAST FACTS:
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands, Spain, and shares capital status with the island of Gran Canaria.
The total surface area is 2,057km2.
Tenerife is located in the north east of the Atlantic Ocean, just over 300km off the west coast of Africa.
It is set in a subtropical climate zone, with pleasant spring temperatures year round, and an average annual temperature of 23 degrees centigrade.
The population is approximately 906,854.
Tenerife boasts nearly 400km of coastline, 70 beaches and a variety of high-end resorts and boutique hotels, many of which offer leading facilities and spectacular sunset ocean views.
GOLF:
A great way to combine your stay on the Island with a rewarding activity is to enjoy some golf, whether you’re an enthusiast or an expert. The spring climate of Tenerife enables you to play all year round, even in summer, when courses have special offers and the mild, pleasant climate makes this sport even more enjoyable.
Its nine original courses - including El Tecina on the nearby island of La Gomera - were all designed by renowned golf architects, making Tenerife a paradise for golfers. If you add in the vast range of supplementary attractions, including all manner of excellent golf establishments and facilities, combined with a wide variety of leisure activities, an unforgettable stay is guaranteed both on and off the green. For more details about golf in Tenerife, visit www.webtenerife.co.uk/tenerife-golf.htm
GETTING THERE:
Within easy reach, Tenerife is barely a four-hour flight from the UK. Regular flights are available from many regional airports in the UK and Ireland.
Tenerife has two international airports; Reina Sofia Airport (south) and Los Rodeos Airport (north); as well as two ports, one in Santa Cruz and the other in Los Cristianos.
Visitors can plan their holiday with the help of www.webtenerife.co.uk. They can also continue their research on the ground through local tourist offices and hotels.
Press release written and distributed by The Azalea Group.
For further information or pictures please contact Andy Barwell on +44 (0) 1730 711926 or email andy@theazaleagroup.com
