Monterey resident Chris Marin will be one of those teeing off in this week's PGA Tour Frys.com Open at nearby Cordevalle Golf Club outside of Gilroy.
The 32-year-old former CSU Monterey Bay standout, who turned pro just before the 2009 Monterey Open, fired a 3-under 69 and survived a five-man playoff for two spots to earn one of four available spots in a Monday qualifier held at Bayonet Golf Course.
In the playoff, which started on the par-5 1st hole, Marin flared his drive to the right and had to punch out. His third shot flew the green, but his chip from 20 feet found nothing but the bottom of the cup.
"I can't believe it. Are you kidding me?," Marin said. "I can't believe that chip went in."
Joining Marin as qualifiers for the Fall Series event, which was formerly played in Arizona, were former San Diego State star Aaron Goldberg (69), 2009 Denver University MVP Danny Wax (67) and 2008 Canadian Tour Order of Merit winner and defending Monterey Open champ John Ellis (65).
The Frys.com Open will mark Marin's PGA Tour debut.
"I don't know what to think," said Marin, who competed in the Gateway Tour's Spring Series earlier this year. "It's overwhelming. Hopefully, I hit more fairways than I did today."
For Marin, who for the time being has returned to being a Pebble Beach Resorts caddie, it marked his first attempt at qualifying for a PGA Tour event. The former California Mid-Amateur champ tried getting through a Nationwide Tour Monday qualifier in 2003.
"I mainly entered for the experience. This is what I'm going to have to start doing," Marin said.
The qualifier was also a chance for Salinas resident and fellow CSUMB men's golf alum Ricky Stockton to get his feet wet.
Stockton, 24, plans on joining the North Carolina-based Tar Heels Tour in January. The 2009 Division II PING All-America Honorable Mention pick shot 71, missing the playoff by two, but walked away with more knowledge.
"I pretty much entered to see what the competition would be like," said Stockton, who was playing in his first ever Monday qualifier. "It's tough. I don't know how some of these guys do this."
On the veteran front, Paul Stankowski, who's currently No.143 on the PGA Tour money list, missed advancing after shooting a 77.
Winner of the 1997 Pro-Am portion of the AT&T Pro-Am, Stankowski still will be first alternate come Thursday's opening round of the Frys, but he can't afford to miss any opportunities. Following this week, his order is 15th alternate in Las Vegas (Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open) and sixth for Florida (Children's Miracle Network Classic.
"I've been playing solid all year, so I'm still hoping," said Stankowski, who, if he falls to beyond No. 150 on this year's money list would have to go through the rigors of Q-School Second Stage qualifying. "Good golf always takes of itself."
On the day, Bayonet, which will host a Q-School Second Stage qualifier in November, played to an average of 73.97.
Frys.com Open
Dates: October 11-17
Where: San Martin
Course: Cordevalle GC
Purse: $5,000,000
Winner: $900,000
Format: 72-hole stroke play
