Marcus Gran won this week’s Gecko Tour event played at Alcaidesa’s two courses (Links and Heathland). The young Swedish golfer totalled 212 to win by one from Oskar Bergqvist, two from Anton Karlsson, three from Victor Tarnstrom and four ahead of Fredrik From – all fellow Swedes.
It certainly helped to be Swedish this week in Campo de Gibraltar, the area where Alcaidesa is located at the eastern end of Cádiz province. Not just to challenge for victory but also to win the battle against this magnificent golf course. They were the only five players to finish level or under-par after three rounds. The conditions were extremely tough due to strong winds, especially during the third and final round played today on the Links layout.
It was a tough fight among the Swedes right to the end, so much so that four of the top-five finished with birdies on the 18th hole. Dropping your guard in the final stages meant almost certain defeat. The Swedes’ domination was absolute, but there is an explanation. As the winner explained, “I was delighted to see so many Swedes at the top of the leaderboard. It makes you very proud, especially when playing away from home. It seems as though the course suited us, and I think that’s because we practise a lot here in winter, when it’s not possible in Sweden because of the cold weather and snow. Clearly the final score is quite remarkable.”
Gran is 21 years old and turned professional three seasons ago. Like so many of his compatriots he opted for The Gecko Tour to be able to practise during winter and be well prepared for the main golfing period in Sweden, the national circuit held in spring and summer. At Alcaidesa, he demonstrated he was in fine form.
As noted above, the conditions were particularly tough, a view shared by the new champion. “It wasn’t easy to play out there,” he said after being presented with his winner’s trophy. “The wind blew all three days but it was especially hard today.” Gran was one of only players able to card under par at Alcaidesa in the final round – the other one was From.
As is customary on The Gecko Tour, the tournament was played over three days, with a cut after the second round to the leading 20 and ties. This came at two-over – quite a challenge. The next event on the tour will be at La Cañada and Almenara Golf Club, from 9 to 11 February.
