Coloradans Griffin Barela, Jackson Solem, AJ Ott and CSU-Pueblo’s Andrew Ni punch their tickets to ‘first stage’ of Korn Ferry Tour qualifying
By Gary Baines – 9/2/2022
Four golfers with strong Colorado ties successfully negotiated the first step in the four-step qualifying process for the Korn Ferry Tour.
Griffin Barela of Lakewood, the 2021 CGA Amateur champion who advanced to the round of 64 at last month’s U.S. Amateur, and Jackson Solem of Longmont, a former University of Denver golfer, advanced through “pre-qualifying” on Friday. And former Colorado State University golfer AJ Ott of Fort Collins and former CSU-Pueblo player Andrew Ni made the grade in pre-qualifiers last week.
Barela (76-71-68) placed 21st an an event in Prattville, Ala., where the top 33 finishers advance to first stage. Ott (70-69-72) also ended up 21st, in his case in Lantana, Texas, where 35 and ties move forward.
Solem (72-69-74) made it on the number in Bermuda Dunes, Calif., tying for 29th at a site where 34 and ties advance. Ni (71-68-69) finished sixth in Ashland, Neb., where 30 and ties move on.
Barela, Ott, Solem and Ni will be joined by numerous players who were exempt from pre-qualifying, in the first stage of Q-school, set for Sept. 13-30 at various sites. Second-stage tournaments will be held Oct. 11-21, with the final stage scheduled for Nov. 4-7 in Savannah, Ga.
KORN FERRY TOUR Q-SCHOOL PRE-QUALIFYING
Aug. 24-26 in Lantana, Texas (Top 35 and Ties Advance to First Stage)
21. AJ Ott, Fort Collins 70-69-72–211
Aug. 24-26 in Ashland, Neb. (Top 30 and Ties Advance to First Stage)
6. Andrew Ni, Pueblo 71-68-69—208
Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in Bermuda Dunes, Calif. (Top 34 and Ties Advance to First Stage)
29. Jackson Solem, Longmont 72-69-74—215
Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in Prattville, Ala. (Top 33 and Ties Advance to First Stage)
21. Griffin Barela, Lakewood 76-71-68–215
For all the scores from KFT Q-school, CLICK HERE.
Colorado Golf Journal 