Hokie ClubDrew Weaver’s quest to make it tothe PGA Tour got started on a strong note, as the former Virginia Tech golferwon a first-stage event at the PGA Tour’s National Qualifying Tournament –better known as q-school.
Playing at Pinewild Country Clubjust outside of Pinehurst, N.C., on Tuesday through Friday, Weaver shot afour-round total of 12-under-par to beat former PGA Tour player StephenGangluff by one stroke and win the stage. Weaver shot rounds of 66, 71, 68 and 71 on the par-72layout. His first-round 66 tied for the best round of the stage.
Also, former Tech golfer Nick MacDonald played in a first-stage event. MacDonald played at Dayton Valley Golf Club in in Las Vegas and shot 12-under-par for the stage. He finished in a tie for eighth place, five shots back of winner Ryan Yip of Canada. MacDonald shot rounds of 70, 70, 65 and 71.
Weaver, the 2007 British Amateurwinner, and MacDonald advanced to a second-stage event to be held Nov. 16-20 at a course tobe determined. The top 23 finishers and ties advance to a second-stage event.
First-stage events were held atseven different courses. Second-stage events will be held at six differentcourses. Second-stage survivors advance to a third and final stage held atOrange County National in Winter Garden, Fla., on Dec. 1-6. The final stage isunique in that it is six rounds as opposed to four.
If both make it to thefinal stage, both will at the least be conditionally exempt on the NationwideTour. The top 25 finishers of the final stage earn their PGA cards, while thenext 50 (plus ties) earn Nationwide Tour cards. The rest earn conditionallyexempt status on the Nationwide Tour.