This week is the busiest of the year for players with strong Colorado ties who are competing in Q-school for the Web.com Tour.
A total of 14 locals are spread out over four First Stage tournaments across the country. And it’s “so far, so good” for nearly half of them.
Jimmy Makloski (left) of Pueblo, a former Colorado State University golfer, shares the lead at a First Stage tournament in Dayton, Nev., where the top 22 finishers and ties after four rounds will advance to the Second Stage. Makloski made five birdies and one bogey for a 68 on Tuesday.
Also in the top 10 at that site after round 1 are Josh Creel, who started his college golf career at the University of Colorado (sixth place at 70) and James Love of Denver (10th place at 71).
At The Woodlands, Texas, where 22 will advance on Friday, former Coloradan Tom Whitney fired a 5-under-par 67 and shares fourth place, while Jamie Marshall of Lone Tree opened with a 68, good for seventh place.
And in West Palm Beach, Fla., where 21 will make the Second Stage, Aspen’s AJ Morris carded a 4-under-par 68 and he’s in eighth place in that field.
Last month, four players with strong Colorado connections advanced from a First Stage Q-school tournament to Second Stage — Zahkai Brown of Golden, fellow former CSU golfer Blake Cannon, and former CU players Yannik and Jeremy Paul.
Next up, there will be five Second Stage Q-school tournmaments from Oct. 30-Nov. 9. The Final Stage is Dec. 6-9 in Chandler, Ariz., where 2018 Web.com Tour cards will be distributed.
Here are this week’s First-Stage scores for all the players with strong Colorado ties:
Q-School First Stage (Oct. 9-12)
Dayton Nev. (Top 22 Finishers and Ties After 72 Holes Advance to Stage 2)
T1. Jimmy Makloski, Pueblo 68
6. Former CU golfer Josh Creel 70
10. James Love, Denver 71
31. Former DU golfer Chris Gilman 74
68. Former Coloradan Eric Hallberg 80
St. George, Utah (Top 21 Finishers and Ties After 72 Holes Advance to Stage 2)
24. Tom Gempel, Lone Tree 68
24. Riley Arp, Fort Collins 68
32. Beau Schoolcraft, Denver 69
41. Steven Kupcho, Westminster 70
49. Cole Nygren, Longmont 71
64. Mike Schoolcraft, Denver 73
The Woodlands, Texas (Top 22 Finishers and Ties After 72 Holes Advance to Stage 2)
4. Former Coloradan Tom Whitney 67
7. Jamie Marshall, Lone Tree 68
West Palm Beach, Fla. (Top 21 Finishers and Ties After 72 Holes Advance to Stage 2)
8. AJ Morris, Aspen 68
