It was a very close call, but four players with significant Colorado connections earned berths into the final stage of Web.com Q-school on Friday, guaranteeing themselves at least conditional status on that tour in 2017.
University of Colorado senior Jeremy Paul (pictured), former CU golfer Josh Creel, Parker Edens of Greeley and Jim Knous of Englewood all finished in the top 19 and ties in a second-stage tournament in Beaumont, Calif., which is what was necessary to land spots in the final stage, set for Dec. 8-11 in Winter Garden, Fla.
Last year, the top 45 finishers and ties at the final stage of Q-school earned full status on the 2016 Web.comTour, giving themselves many more starts than most conditional players.
Paul, who could conceivably forego his final semester at CU if he earned full status on the 2017 Web Tour, tied for 12th place Friday out of 77 players in Beaumont, along with Creel, who finished his college career at Central Oklahoma after starting at CU. Meanwhile, Edens and Knous left themselves no room to spare as they shared 17th place — the last position to advance. Edens played his college golf at Colorado State and Knous at Colorado School of Mines.
Paul and Creel posted 9-under-par 279 totals, with Creel closing with a 67 and Paul with a 70. Creel played his final 11 holes in 8 under par. Edens and Knous came in at 280, with Edens carding a final-round 70 and Knous a 74. Edens birdied three of his last four holes to advance.
Seven more players with strong Colorado ties will compete in second-stage tournaments next week.
Here are all the players with strong Colorado connections who are competing this week and next in second-stage Web.com Q-school tournaments:
Beaumont, Calif. Nov. 1-4 (Top 19 Finishers and Ties Advance)
Advance to Final Stage
12. CU golfer Jeremy Paul 68-70-71-70–279
12. Former CU golfer Josh Creel of Cheyenne, Wyo. 73-68-71-67–279
17. Jim Knous of Englewood 66-70-70-74–280
17. Parker Edens of Greeley 77-66-67-70–280
Failed to Advance to Final Stage
34. Riley Arp of Fort Collins 69-77-71-68–285
74. Nick Hodge of Littleton 80-72-80-73–305
Mobile, Ala. Nov. 1-4 (Top 19 Finishers and Ties Advance)
Failed to Advance to Final Stage
29. Nick Mason of Denver 72-72-67-69–280
74. Scott Vincent of Littleton 75-74-75-72–296
McKinney, Texas Nov. 8-11
Zahkai Brown of Arvada
James Love of Denver
David Oraee of Greeley
Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch
Gunner Wiebe of Auroraå
Plantation, Fla. Nov. 8-11
Former CU golfer Justin Bardgett
Miller Capps of Denver
