Now it’s time to separate the men from the boys in PGA Tour Q-school and the best from the rest in Champions Tour qualifying.
This may be the off-season for the top men’s golfers in the world, but it’s one of the most important weeks of the year for many who aspire to compete on the best tours the game has to offer.
On tap are six PGA Tour second-stage qualifying tournaments which are pivotal in the careers of many players. Those who succeed in advancing to next month’s final stage of Q-school are guaranteed of at least having conditional Nationwide Tour status for 2011. On the other hand, many of those who fall short are guaranteed of nothing for next year.
Meanwhile, the stakes are similarly high at the final stage of Champions Tour qualifying, where the top players will earn 2011 cards, but most will leave empty-handed.
First, let’s look at PGA Tour Q-school events this week.
A total of 11 players with strong Colorado connections are competing in second-stage tournaments in Florida, Texas and California. In all, more than 450 golfers are entered, with between 70 and 80 at each of the six sites.
At stake in each of the second-stage events will be roughly 20 spots in the Q-school finals, which are set for Dec. 1-6 in Winter Garden, Fla. There, the top 25 finishers and ties will earn 2011 PGA Tour cards, while roughly the next 50 players will be fully exempt on the Nationwide Tour. The rest of the contestants will be conditionally exempt on the Nationwide circuit.
The local contingent of players competing in the second stage this week runs the gamut from former winners on the PGA Tour to current card holders looking to improve their status, to many golfers looking for their first chance at the big time.
Denver native and former University of Colorado golfer Jonathan Kaye, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, will be among those in Seaside, Calif., Wednesday through Saturday (Nov. 17-20). Kaye lost his fully-exempt status on Tour in 2009 and split his time between the PGA and Nationwide circuits this year.
Shane Bertsch of Parker, who regained his Tour card by finishing 15th in the final stage of 2009 Q-school, had his 2010 season disrupted by a broken hand in early February. Though Bertsch is expected to receive a medical extension from the Tour next year, he could improve his status with a good showing at Q-school. He’ll be competing in Panama City Beach, Fla., starting Wednesday.
Also playing in the second stage are Highlands Ranch’s Jason Preeo (pictured), who made the cut at this year’s U.S. Open; Castle Rock’s Esteban Toledo, a winner on the Nationwide Tour; Aurora’s Kane Webber, who claimed a title on the Asian Tour; and Denver’s James Love, a champion on the Canadian Tour.
Among the other locals playing this week is former Colorado State University golfer Bryce Hanstad, who has advanced through both Q-school pre-qualifying and the first stage.
Here is who is playing where at second-stage events:
Humble Texas Nov. 16-19 — Charlie Soule of Longmont.
Panama City Beach, Fla. Nov. 17-20 — Shane Bertsch of Parker, Nick Mason of Denver, Jason Preeo of Highlands Ranch.
Murrieta, Calif. Nov. 17-20 — Zen Brown of Arvada, Kane Webber of Aurora.
McKinney, Texas Nov. 17-20 — James Love of Denver.
Seaside, Calif. Nov. 17-20 — Former CSU golfer Bryce Hanstad, former CU golfer Jonathan Kaye, Esteban Toledo of Castle Rock, former DU golfer Danny Wax.
Meanwhile, Colorado Springs native R.W. Eaks will compete at the Champions Tour qualifying finals for the second straight year. A four-time winner on the Champions circuit, Eaks finished eighth at Q-school last year, which earned him conditional status on Tour in 2010. But Eaks’ best Champions showing this year was 22nd place, and he finished 85th on the season-long money list.
The Champions Q-school finals, set for Tuesday through Friday (Nov. 16-19) in Coral Springs, Fla., will feature a 78-player field. The top five finishers will be fully exempt next year, while the sixth through 12th players will be partially exempt.
