Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale, who whet his appetite by competing in six events on the PGA Tour Champions in 2015, has given himself an opportunity for an encore.
With the top 27 finishers in the Regional Q-school tournament in Nipton, Calif., advancing to the Q-school finals, Rohrbaugh punched his ticket by tying for 20th place on Friday.
The director of golf at Ironbridge Golf Club improved each day at Primm Valley Golf Club’s Lakes Course, posting scores of 73-72-71-68 for a 284 total. That was three strokes better than the golfers who played off for the 27th and final spot.
Rohrbaugh, winner of three Colorado PGA Professional Championships and the 2013 CoBank Colorado Senior Open, will move on to the Q-school finals, set for Nov. 28-Dec. 1 in Scottsdale, Ariz. There, the top five finishers will earn PGA Tour Champions cards for 2018.
Over the years, Rohrbaugh (pictured) has competed in nine PGA Tour Champions events, including three U.S. Senior Opens and two Senior PGA Championships.
The other Coloradan playing in the Regional tournament was Dean Sessions, who finished 58th at 313 after a final-round 77 on Friday.
Kevin Stone won the Regional tournament in Nipton with a 263 total. The runner-up was two-time Colorado Senior Open champion Greg Bruckner of Phoenix (269). Another Colorado Senior Open champion to advance to the final stage was 2017 winner Jeff Gallagher (277),
Here are the scores for the Colorado competitors:
At Primm Valley Golf Club’s Lakes Course in Nipton, Calif.
(Top 27 Finishers Advance to Q-school Finals)
Advances to Finals
20. Doug Rohrbaugh 73-72-71-68–284
Failed to Advance
58. Dean Sessions 77-79-80-77–313
