© Sonia Reyes
Golf Club Clervaux took the spotlight this weekend, hosting back-to-back tournaments that were played over three days starting Thursday.
For the 78th INTAM edition and under the summery weather of the Grand Duchy, 56 players came to the course ready to give it all for the champion title.
Tim van der Steen from the Netherlands accomplished his goal and arrived at the podium in first place after setting the tone on the first day with the lowest score of the tournament at 6 under par. Tim maintained the lead on the three days of the competition and finished with a score of 8 under par.
Second place came for Laurenz Cubin from Austria, who finished as runner-up with 5 under and, chasing the victory as defending champion, Luxembourger Stefan Rojas managed to climb from 7th place on the second day to the 3er spot at the podium with a total score of 2 under par. Luxembourger Arnaud Castellana also managed to finish in the top 10.
On the women's 66th edition, 20 players battled the course and the elements, especially the wind, which demanded high skills to get a good score.
Ashley Stevenson from France finished 1st place after leading the pack while recording the best score for the ladies' championship for two consecutive days, her overall score, one under. She commented: "The course is nice, but though it's hilly, you can go easily out of bounds or into the trees. It's my first time playing in Luxembourg, and I really like it, to be honest, except for the weather."
Runner-up Norah Sofie Seidl from Austria and third-place María Vittoria Corbi finished with a tied score of plus one after three days, but Sofie's best score on the last day earned her the second spot at the podium and Maria Vittoria got the third place. Luxembourger Marie Baertz managed to stay in the top ten.
During the closing ceremony, the new President of the Golf Federation (FLG), Mr. Marc Schmit, thanked all involved in the tournament, especially the players, for coming to play in Luxembourg.
The INTAM champion for 2024, Tim van der Steen, was also thankful: "I want to thank the club and all the players and Laurenz for putting a good battle along the stretch. It will be my last time playing in Luxembourg as I am becoming professional at the year's end; thanks for the last three years, the tournament was always well organized."
Good luck, Tim, for your new journey.
