Melvin Slaats - Victory in Andorra

MELVIN SLAATS (NETHERLANDS)

Melvin Slaats arrived in Andorra (as a member of a huge Dutch contingent) on the eve of the Andorra Open and wasted no tome checking out the El Torrent course. He felt an immediate affinity. "I shot 55 on my first practice round, which gave me a sense that this was a course I could prosper on," recalls Melvin.

There was a progressive improvement on Saturday (the first day of the Andorra Open). "My 1st round score was 52. It was a reasonable score but I felt there were still a number of things wrong! The second round of 49 was so much better." 2nd round score of 49 turns me were at that time much better." The Dutch Matchplay champion had a very restful night. "There were a lot of Dutch in Andorra. On Saturday night we drank a few delicious beers there at the restaurant and had dinner. Then I went to the hotel and slept well."

What tactics did the joint overnight leader (with Pau Perez) adopt for Sunday? "I didn't wish to attack too much in the 3rd round but I couldn't afford to be too defensive either because I did not know what I could expect from the other players. I was satisfied with my final round score of 51 and it was enough to win the tournament."

Andorra has given Melvin a taste for travel to international Pitch and Putt events. "I love playing tournaments and hope to play some more abroad in the future."

A week after his Open win, Melvin enjoyed his debut appearance at the European Team championship. The men in orange came up just short. Melvin tries to explain. ""The Dutch always hit it reasonably well but it's still really difficult (against the Catalans)!"

"It's a great feeling to win the Andorra Open."

Melvin is effusive in his praise for fellow Dutch player Herma Kleinlugtenbeld, who won the parallel Andorra Ladies Open. "Herma is super - a sweet and nice woman. She plays wonderful Pitch and Putt and has won a lot in her life. I've been talking for several years about Herma's pitch and putt game. She has also helped with a lot with sound advice." Melvin, who coaches players at Heerde, generously assesses his closest competitors at El Torrent. "I found Gonzalo Mendoza playing very well, very good on the longer holes and a good putter. Pau Perez & Pepe Garcia, I also liked to play with. Ricard Morat is a young talent and can play very well."

In addition to contesting the 2015 European Strokeplay championship, for which he is now qualified, what are Melvin's remaining ambitions? "To lower the Dutch scoring record. I must break 41."

The equipment is classically conventional. "I use two pitching clubs, 52 and 56 degrees, and Titleist Pro V1 ball"

Come autumn 2015, Melvin will be returning to the Pyrenees. "Yes, I will try again next year to defend my title at the Andorra Open. I play the Dutch Open all the other big events in the Netherlands."