University of Tennessee Athletics
Ford, McGowan Qualify For European Tour
November 29, 2017 | Men's Golf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After participating in the European Tour Qualifying School, Tennessee men's golf alums Charlie Ford and Ross McGowan recently earned Category 16 Membership on the European Tour for the 2018 season.
Ford and McGowan join current member and English countryman Chris Paisley, giving the Vols three on the European Tour.
Competing in the six-round final stage at the Lumine Golf Club in Tarragona, Spain, Ford grabbed a tie for second at 409, while McGowan tied for 15th at 413. Ford's rounds included 73-69-66-64-70-67, while McGowan turned in scores of 72-71-68-70-65-67.
Ford, who attended UT from 2005-08, has been playing on the Challenge Tour, making 24 appearances and ranking 28th currently with a high ranking of 22nd in 2009. McGowan, meanwhile, has two Challenge Tour wins to his credit and one on the European Tour. Playing for the Vols from 2002-05, he has been ranked as high as second on the Challenge Tour and 12th on the European Tour.
Since 1976, The European Tour Qualifying School has been held at the end of each season to establish which players, not otherwise exempt, will gain their playing privileges on the Tour for the following season through a qualifying competition. It's a tough school for one of golf's most coveted prizes, namely Membership of The European Tour and a place among the golfing elite.
The Qualifying School is held in three stages - dependent on the individual's status - at a series of venues in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Around 1,000 competitors enter the Qualifying School each year, all aiming for a European Tour card, awarded to the top 25 and ties following the Final Stage. A player progressing through all three stages will have to play 252 holes under the most intense pressure.
The leading 25 players (plus those tied for 25th place) earn Category 16 Membership of The European Tour for the following season.
Ford and McGowan join current member and English countryman Chris Paisley, giving the Vols three on the European Tour.
Competing in the six-round final stage at the Lumine Golf Club in Tarragona, Spain, Ford grabbed a tie for second at 409, while McGowan tied for 15th at 413. Ford's rounds included 73-69-66-64-70-67, while McGowan turned in scores of 72-71-68-70-65-67.
Ford, who attended UT from 2005-08, has been playing on the Challenge Tour, making 24 appearances and ranking 28th currently with a high ranking of 22nd in 2009. McGowan, meanwhile, has two Challenge Tour wins to his credit and one on the European Tour. Playing for the Vols from 2002-05, he has been ranked as high as second on the Challenge Tour and 12th on the European Tour.
Since 1976, The European Tour Qualifying School has been held at the end of each season to establish which players, not otherwise exempt, will gain their playing privileges on the Tour for the following season through a qualifying competition. It's a tough school for one of golf's most coveted prizes, namely Membership of The European Tour and a place among the golfing elite.
The Qualifying School is held in three stages - dependent on the individual's status - at a series of venues in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Around 1,000 competitors enter the Qualifying School each year, all aiming for a European Tour card, awarded to the top 25 and ties following the Final Stage. A player progressing through all three stages will have to play 252 holes under the most intense pressure.
The leading 25 players (plus those tied for 25th place) earn Category 16 Membership of The European Tour for the following season.
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