VALENCIA, Spain (UCFKnights.com) – UCF junior-to-be Manuel Elvira took runner-up honors at the Campeonato de Espana Individual Masculino (Men's Spanish Amateur Championship) Sunday at the El Saler golf club.
Elvira, who trailed eventual champion Angel Hidalgo for the entire tournament, caught him late in the fourth and final round and took the lead on the back nine. But Elvira double-bogeyed the 17th, allowing Hidalgo to regain the lead and eventually take the title.
Elvira opened the tournament with a 77, but rebounded with a 71 in the second round. After a third-round 74, he came back with another 71 to finish just one stroke off the pace.
Elvira was disappointed he didn't win, but pleased with how well he played. He mentioned he was particularly proud of how well he played on the El Saler course.
"It was a really tough course and really tough conditions as well," Elvira said. He added that he's looking forward to getting back to Orlando and UCF in August.