James Maw completes tour with victory at Boavista
The last event of the 2014 Algarve Pro Golf Tour swing was played at a sun-soaked Boavista Golf and Spa Resort. The first round provided a terrific spectacle of quality golf as no fewer than 11 players returned scores of level par or below par. In his opening round, Englishman James Maw carded a sensational 9-under par for a brilliant score of 62 to establish a 4-shot lead on Tyler Hogarty of South Africa and a 5 stroke advantage over Englishmen, Josh Carpenter and Marcus Armitage.
Local interest was provided by Tiago Cruz who delighted the crowd with his 3-under par while another home favourite Hugo Santos did not disappoint with his 2-under par score of 69. James Maw’s error-free first round comprised 9 birdies and 9 pars in a superb exhibition of golf although the experienced campaigner would not to make the mistake of thinking that it was job done as he prepared for the next round of competition. The second day began with showers although they soon cleared to leave a beautiful, sunny day for the players. England’s Michael Downes was the first to show his intentions when putting together a great 7-under par round of 64 to rocket up the leader board. However, Tiago Cruz later succeeded in knocking Downes off his perch by adding a 4-below par 67 to his first round 68 and finish the tournament on 7-under.
This, though, was before talented young German, Max Eichmeier, playing in the in the penultimate group, closed his tournament with a final score of 8-under par following a last round of 66. The question then remained of how James Maw would cope with the pressure of leading the tournament. Maw’s answer was emphatic as he carded a 2-under par round of 69 to win by 3 clear shots.
The final Algarve Pro Golf Tour event of 2014 was a not only a successful end to the year for the talented Maw but also for the APGT organisers and the Boavista Golf and Spa Resort. A spokesperson for the APGT recorded thanks to the PGA Portugal “for their help in running the six tournaments in 2014” and stressed how much the APGT “is looking forward to their assistance in the nine events” they have planned for 2015. Congratulations to James Maw for a well-deserved victory and to all the players who took part not only at Boavista but over the entire year to ensure that the Algarve Pro Golf Tour 2014 was a resounding success.
Congratulations also to APGT official organisers and the host golf clubs for providing such memorable events. Particular mention must go to England’s Harry Casey who won the overall 2014 Order of Merit and with it a start in the Madeira Islands Open, courtesy of the PGA Portugal, and a free season competing on the Jamega Pro Golf Tour in 2015. Very well done to everyone involved and we look forward to another exciting year of tour competition in 2015.