Gunner Wiebe of Aurora, who’s demonstrated the ability to go low on plenty of occasions in the past, did it again on Thursday, this time at a Web.com Q-school second-stage tournament in McKinney, Texas.
The former CGA Les Fowler Player of the Year shot a bogey-free 9-under-par 63 at TPC Craig Ranch to vault into the top 10 at the halfway point of the event.
Wiebe, son of Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Mark Wiebe, made an eagle and seven birdies on Thursday to stand at 9-under 135, good for a share of 10th place.
The top 19 finishers and ties after Saturday’s fourth round will advance to the third and final stage of Q-school. Anyone who makes the final stage — set for Dec. 8-11 in Winter Garden, Fla. — will be guaranteed at least conditional status on the 2017 Web circuit. Wiebe had conditional status this year on the Web Tour, though he competed is just one event on that circuit in 2016.
Also in the top 19 afer Thursday’s second round is David Oraee of Greeley, a former University of Colorado golfer who made seven birdies and shot carded a 66 in round 2. The former CGA Player of the Year shares 19th place at 137.
In second-stage tournaments held last week, CU golfer Jeremy Paul, former Buff Josh Creel, former Colorado State player Parker Edens and former Colorado School of Mines golfer Jim Knous all punched their tickets into the final stage.
Here are all the players with strong Colorado connections who are competing this week in second-stage Web.com Q-school tournaments:
McKinney, Texas Nov. 9-12 (Top 19 Finishers and Ties Advance)
10. Gunner Wiebe of Aurora 72-63–135
19. David Oraee of Greeley 71-66–137
46. James Love of Denver 72-69–141
53. Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch 68-74–142
66. Zahkai Brown of Arvada 69-75–144
Plantation, Fla. Nov. 8-11 (Top 18 Finishers and Ties Advance)
59. Former CU golfer Justin Bardgett 75-74-70–209