Our man at Golf de la Wantzenau brings you all of the action from behind the scenes at the ALLIANZ Europen de Strasbourg-Golf de la Wantzenau.

Vive la France!
The wonderfully titled ALLIANZ Europen de Strasbourg-Golf de la Wantzenau is the Challenge Tour’s fourth of five visits to France this season, meaning our French accents are now perfected and our red wine tasting honed. Having previously stopped off in Bretagne, Lyon and Lumbres, we’re in the Alsace region on the German border this week just outside Strasbourg, which, of course, is renowned as the seat of the Council of Europe and European Parliament. Chances are, if you live in Europe, your politicians will be well versed in this place. Golf de la Wantzenau, our host venue this week, is actually just outside Strasbourg but three stops on the tram and you are in the principal city, which is well worth a look, especially the majestic cathedral. 

Talk of the town
After his stunning performance at Gleneagles on Sunday, Edoardo Molinari’s achievements have not gone unnoticed here on the Challenge Tour. The elder of the Italian brothers played on the Challenge Tour last year and dominated the rankings before carrying forward that form onto The European Tour in 2010. His meteoric rise from 752 in the world to 15th and a spot in The Ryder Cup has naturally given cause for much optimism for those hoping to follow in his footsteps. Like Molinari last year, Robert Dinwiddie finds himself back on the Challenge Tour after failing to keep his main Tour card. He has also rediscovered his confidence and winning touch, just as Edoardo did in capturing three titles last year. But there are also countless other examples of players hoping they can win their card via the Challenge Tour this year and go on to replicate the success of Molinari and Martin Kaymer, another Challenge Tour product on The Ryder Cup Team who this year made his Major breakthrough at the US PGA Championship. Of course not everyone can go on to reach those heights but the accomplishments of Edoardo and Martin are edification of the hard work by all those involved with the Challenge Tour in providing the perfect breeding ground for tomorrow’s stars.