Enrico Di Nitto came second on the La Pinetina Golf Club course, with four other Italians among the top ten. It is the third consecutive success of the Italians on the Alps Tour, dominators of the event which also opened the 2024 Italian Pro Tour season
Another Italian success on the Alps Tour, the third in a row. It was signed by Mattia Comotti who won the Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON with 195 (66 62 67, -15) shots, an event which also inaugurated the season of the Italian Pro Tour 2024, the circuit of national and international competitions organized by Italian Golf Federation, with the support of the Official Advisor Infront Italy. Comotti’s title follows those of Edoardo Raffaele Lipparelli (New Giza Open) and Gianmaria Rean Trinchero (Tunisian Golf Open) and brings the Italian seasonal victories to four with the exploit of Matteo Manassero (Jonsson Workwear Open) on the DP World Tour.
On the course of La Pinetina Golf Club (par 70), in Appiano Gentile (Como), Comotti overtook Enrico Di Nitto by one shot, second with 196 (66 64 66, -14), in a tournament in which the Italian players are were absolute protagonists. In fact, four others finished in the top ten: Alessandro Radig, the best among the amateurs, fourth with 200 (-10), Edoardo Raffaele Lipparelli, sixth with 202 (-8), Manfredi Manica and Andrea Rota, ninth with 203 (-7 ).
The Frenchman Benjamin Kedochim tried to enter the race for the title, leading for a few holes, then gave in in the second part of the course (third with 199, -11). His amateur compatriot Paul Franquet finished in fifth place with 201 (-9), while Lipparelli was joined by the Englishman Ben Schmidt and the Transalpine Alexandre Daydou. Just behind Giovanni Manzoni, Andrea Romano, Filippo Grossi and Sebastiano Moro (am), 19th with 205 (-5).
Mattia Comotti, a 24-year-old from Cuneo, a professional since July last year, is at his first victory on the circuit where he had previously obtained two placings in the top ten last year (one in this tournament, ninth), when he was still an amateur. He started the last round at the top with a one-shot margin over Kedochim and two over Di Nitto, but at the halfway point he was joined by the Frenchman who, however, immediately afterwards slipped away with two bogeys. Then it was Di Nitto who attacked, reaching him on the 14th hole, but Comotti closed the score with a decisive birdie on the 16th for 67 (-3, six birdies, three bogeys). Di Nitto, 31 years old from Rome, two laurels on the Alps Tour, scored a 66 (-4, five birdies, one bogey) and was runner up for the eighth time, the previous one in February in Egypt (Red Sea Venice Open) .
“I am very happy – said the winner – with this first success of mine which comes just ten months after turning pro. I didn’t expect to win the title, so much so that I hadn’t even booked the hotel for the third round. I have to congratulate Enrico Di Nitto who pushed me hard until the last hole and from whom I learned a lot. I had some tension about the last putt, because if I hadn’t holed it I would have had to face a playoff that was certainly not easy. Programs? I will be on the circuit for the whole season with an eye on the order of merit.” He is the sixth Italian to climb to the top step of the podium in the ten editions of the race.
Italians protagonists on the pitch and in the money list. In fact, Edoardo Raffaele Lipparelli is firmly in the lead, Enrico Di Nitto went from 11th to fourth place, Comotti, who received a check for 5,800 euros out of a prize fund of 40,000 euros, is now in sixth preceded by Gianmaria Rean Trinchero, fifth . Ninth Manfredi Manica.
During the competition, three “holes in one” were created. Two from the amateurs Luca Lunardon (first round, hole 5, par 3, metres, 157, 8 iron) and Marco Florioli (second round, hole 17, par 3 metres, 162, 7 iron) and one from the French pro Baptiste Achard (second round, hole 5, par 3, metres, 157, 9 iron), all cut.
The tournament was dedicated to Giorgio Bordoni, a federal coach who passed away prematurely in 2013 and was responsible for important successes for the Italian national teams from 1997 to 2005 as Technical Manager of both the men’s and women’s teams.
Path – The Pinetina Golf Club, fully appreciated by all competitors, extends over seventy hectares of greenery immersed in the Pineta Park of Appiano Gentile and Tradate with its woods of Scots pines, birches, oaks and chestnut trees. The route winds along very undulating terrain offering different game situations, together with enchanting panoramic views overlooking Monte Rosa, the Lombardy Pre-Alps and, on clear days, the Apennines.
The Partners – The Giorgio Bordoni Memorial had the support of AON as presenting sponsor. The Italian Pro Tour 2024 has the support of Fideuram Intesa SanPaolo Private Banking (Official Bank); Kappa (Technical Supplier); Poste Assicura (Official Supplier); Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport (Media Partner); Luigi Bocconi Commercial University (Partner). Official advisor: Infront Italy.
Next appointment with the Italian Pro Tour – The Italian Pro Tour will return in September with the Italian Challenge Open, a Challenge Tour tournament scheduled from 19 to 22 September in Tuscany, on the course of the Argentario Golf Club, which will host the Italian Open in 2025.
In the photo: Mattia Comotti
