Doug Rohrbaugh has lived life on the edge the last two years at Champions Tour qualifying, so why would the last round of the final stage of 2014 Q-school be any different?
The head professional at Ironbridge Golf Club in Glenwood Springs tied for 12th place Friday in the Q-school finale in Winter Garden, Fla. Coincidentally, 12 players earned either fully-exempt or conditional status on the 2015 Champions Tour.
But Rohrbaugh, the 2013 HealthOne Colorado Senior Open champion, didn’t let opportunity escape his grasp. He birdied the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, from 5 feet to defeat Craig Thomas of White Plains, N.Y., and claim the final conditionally-exempt spot up for grabs on next year’s Champions Tour.
“I made a Tiger (Woods) fist pump look like nothing,” Rohrbaugh said of his reaction following the sudden-death birdie.
And why not? After all, Rohrbaugh had won a playoff in Champions Tour regional qualifying earlier this month to claim the first alternate spot, then only got into the final stage when Jeff Hart withdrew from the field. Then Rohrbaugh won another playoff on Friday to land the last conditional exemption up for grabs. And a year ago, Rohrbaugh made it to the final stage after winning a playoff in regional qualifying.
“I’m on Cloud 9,” he said when reached by phone on Friday afternoon. “I don’t like to (live on the edge), but I seem to find a way to make it work. I can’t explain it, but I was more comfortable in the playoff than I was on the first tee. It’s just all or nothing.”
In the playoff, Rohrbaugh hit his tee ball and second shot very nearly where his first two shots on No. 18 in regulation had ended up earlier in the day. But from 80 yards in sudden death, he put his approach a mere 5 feet from the cup. And when Thomas left his birdie putt 3 feet short, Rohrbaugh saw his opening and hit the mark with his birdie attempt.
“A week ago I had nothing (Champions Tour status-wise),” said Rohrbaugh, winner of the last two Colorado PGA Professional Championships. “Now I have something. I’m pretty excited. It doesn’t mean a lot of starts (on next year’s Champions Tour). I’ll get some, and I can go to Monday qualifiers (to try for others). So I’ve got some opportunities.”
Despite playing his first three holes in 2 over par in Friday’s final round — and missing three relatively short putts in the process (“I was not a happy camper,” he said) — Rohrbaugh shot a 2-under-par 70 on Friday. He didn’t miss a green in regulation after his slow start despite windy conditions. He finished at 1-under 287 and in a two-way tie for 12th place with Thomas. Each earned $3,750 for his performance.
The top five finishers on Friday gained exempt status on the 2015 Champions Tour. Frank Esposito, who won the Senior PGA Professional National Championship last week, also claimed the qualifying tournament title with an 11-under-par 277 total. Those who placed sixth through 12th earned conditional Champions Tour status. Being conditional, Rohrbaugh has been told he’ll likely receive three to six Champions Tour starts next year, and he could improve his status with some strong showings.
Asked whether he’ll remain the head professional at Ironbridge, Rohrbaugh wasn’t certain. His inclination is to try to make the most of his Champions Tour opportunity, but he said he plans to talk over the matter with people at the club and see how much time they’re comfortable with him being away while competing.
“I’ve got to do a lot of thinking,” the 52-year-old said. “This could be the chance of a lifetime, but I’ll deal with that when I get home.”
Rohrbaugh has competed in three Champions Tour events in his career — two U.S. Senior Opens and one Senior PGA Championship.
Rohrbaugh shared the lead after round 1 in Florida, but had to rally on Friday after going into the final day in 17th place.
The other two players with Colorado ties who competed in the Champions Tour qualifying finals fell short of earning exempt status. Both Colorado Sports Hall of Famer Steve Jones (21st place) and Gary Hallberg of Parker (38th) have played 10 or more Champions Tour events per season over the last several years.
Here are the scores for all the players with major Colorado ties who competed in Florida:
12. Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale 69-74-74–70–287
21. Colorado Sports Hall of Famer Steve Jones 75-69-74-71–289
38. Gary Hallberg of Parker 73-77-70-74–294
For a complete list of scores, CLICK HERE.
