The 2017 European Tour Qualifying School event took place over the prestigious Pestana Golf Resort courses at Silves, Gramacho and Pinta and lived up to predictions of top quality, competitive golf. Ireland’s Brendan McGovern returned an impressive 11-under par for final day victory at Pinta. McGovern finished six shots clear of American duo Clark Dennis and Gary Rusnak and England’s Peter Wilson in a three-way tie for second place with all three runners-up securing the all-important 2017 tour cards. Rusnak had also qualified in 2014 while Dennis and Wilson look forward to their tour debuts. A tense play-off decided the final qualifying place as Frenchman Jean Pierre Sallat defeated England’s Jeff Hall and American, David Shacklady. While challenging weather conditions punctuated play at different times during the tournament there was universal praise for the fantastic condition of all three courses as spectators enjoyed some memorable displays of skill and determination.
Pictured here are Wilson, Dennis, McGovern, Rusnak and Sallat with Rui Gago, Pestana Director (left), and David MacLaren, European Senior Tour Head (right)