Wil Collins and Q School

The PGA Qualifying school is a study in expectations and agony, and makes for understated (and under appreciated) television drama.

Wil Collins was attempting to make the tour for the seventh time, and was 0 for 6 reaching the Final Stage of Q School. He is getting married in the spring and, presumably, would pursue another occupation if he were to miss qualifying. After four marginal rounds he was even placed in the course rotation for guys just looking to earn tour status in 2009. However, after the subsequent 35 holes of he had improved his position to -19, on the number, to qualify for the PGA.

His 90th hole was the 2nd toughest on the Nicklaus Course, 460 yard par 4 with a water hazard hugging the right side of the fairway, through the green, and rough/mounding on the left. Needing a par to reach the PGA, Collins tentatively pulled his drive left, where it parried left off the mounds, to a blind shot to the green. He elected to lay up to @ 150 yards for his 3rd, and, into the sun, put his approach 20 feet under the hole. Needing a one-putt to secure his Card, is putt broke 14 inches to the right, and on its last rotation settled into the cup. Par. PGA. While his caddie was overcome with emotion, Wil smiled, handed him his putter, and walked off the green to sign his card. Why revel in the biggest golf shot of your life?

Few stories are written about PGA Qualifying School, and fewer still on guys who earn their tour card on the number. In 2009 Wil Collins will be walking the fairways of the PGA Tour, with my support.