Brandt Jobe and Steve Jones grew up in Colorado, and both won multiple CGA championships and a Colorado Open, and went on to play on the PGA Tour for many seasons.
And in 2016, they’ll have one more thing in common: They’ll be among the regulars on the Champions Tour.
Jobe (left), a Colorado Golf Hall of Famer, and Jones, a Colorado Sports Hall of Famer, each earned status on the Champions Tour on Friday with their finishes in the final stage of Q-school in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Jobe, who turned 50 on Aug. 1, will go into his rookie season on the Champions Tour in style after winning the Q-school tournament outright. He was tied for the lead with Jose Coceres going into the final hole Friday at TPC Scottsdale, but Coceres bogeyed there while Jobe made a par.
Jobe, who was a resident of Colorado for about two decades before moving to Texas, earned $30,000 for the victory. And by placing in the top five, he’ll be fully exempt on the Champions Tour in 2016.
After leading following rounds 2 and 3, he shot a 2-under-par 69 on Friday, giving him rounds in the 60s all four days and an 18-under-par 266 total. He made an eagle and 22 birdies over the four days.
Jobe, who now lives in Argyle, Texas, has won six times on the Japanese Tour and been runner-up in four PGA Tour events, winning more than $9 million on that circuit. But he’s had limited status in recent seasons and has competed in just six PGA Tour events in the last two years. He’s played in one Champions Tour tournament since turning 50, placing 21st in October in the San Antonio Championship.
“I did just a good enough job today and now I’m really looking forward to next year,” Jobe said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to plan a schedule.”
Jones (left), winner of the 1996 U.S. Open champion and eight PGA Tour events overall, has played part-time on the Champions Tour since 2011. By finishing between sixth and 12th in Scottsdale — he placed ninth — the former University of Colorado golfer will be conditionally exempt on the Champions circuit in 2016.
Jones, who will turn 57 later this month, shot a 1-under-par 70 on Friday to check in at 12-under 272 overall, earning $7,500. This past season, he finished 60th on the Champions Tour money list, with his best showing being a ninth at the Senior PGA Championship.
Also earning some Champions Tour status for 2016 were 1984 Colorado Open champion Willie Wood (second place, 267) and Mike Grob, medalist in U.S. Senior Open qualifying held in Colorado this year (fifth place, 268).
Here are the scores and standings for all the players who competed that have strong Colorado ties:
Fully Exempt in 2016
1. Brandt Jobe, Colo. Golf Hall of Famer 66-65-66-69–266
Conditionally Exempt in 2016
9. Steve Jones, Colo. Sports Hall of Famer 66-68-68-70–272
Also
36. Gary Hallberg of Longmont 69-68-67-73–277
For all the scores, CLICK HERE.
