Four former Golden Gophers are competing to earn PGA Tour cards in the United States and Europe. Simon Nash, Wilhelm Schauman, Justin Smith, and James McLean will be competing this month for status on the 2007 European Tour and PGA Tours.

Nash and Schauman will compete in Spain at the final stage of European Tour School. The Tournament is 90 holes played Nov. 9-14. Players advancing will earn status on the European Tour or Challenge Tour.

In the U.S., Justin Smith, James McLean, and Simon Nash will compete in November at the second stage of the PGA Tour’s Qualifying Tournament. The PGA Tour Q-school is composed of three stages. Players advancing to the third and final stage are guaranteed some status on the Nationwide Tour in 2007.

Other former Gophers failing to advance from the 1st stage of the tournament were Matt Anderson, Aaron Barber, Ben Greve, and David Morgan.

WILHELM SCHAUMAN
Wilhelm Schauman, was an All-American and member of the 2002 NCAA Championship team. Schauman’s career highlights include a victory on the Hooters Tour. Last year, Schauman advanced through all three stages of the European Q-School in 2005 and played a full schedule in Europe in 2006.

SIMON NASH
Simon Nash, also a two-time All-American and member of the 2002 NCAA Championship Team has played professionally all over the globe in his young career. His career highlights include a victory on the Hooters Tour, and an 11th-place finish on the Australasian PGA Tour Order of Merit. More recently he has been competing on the Asian Tour and is trying this week to earn his European Tour Card at the final stage in Europe. Nash will attempt to earn his European Tour card in Spain this week before flying to the U.S. to tee it up in Beaumont, CA.

JUSTIN SMITH
Justin Smith, a 2004 graduate, was a two-time All-American and member of the 2002 NCAA Championship team. Since turning professional, Smith has won twice on the Hooters Tour. This year he had seven top 10s and two second-place finishes placing him fourth on the money list with earnings of $87, 079. Smith also played a stretch on the Nationwide Tour this summer highlighted by a T-17th finish at the Scholarship America Showdown at Somerby G.C. in Byron, MN. Smith will compete at Hombre G.C. in Panama City, FL.

JAMES MCLEAN
James McLean, the 1998 NCAA Champion, turned professional in 2000 and has had an up and down career. After earning his PGA Tour card by finishing second at Q-school, McLean battled injury for two full years. Now healthy he has played some on the Nationwide tour and will compete next week in McKinney, TX

To follow results in Europe go to www.europeantour.com
To follow results at U.S. PGA Tour School go to www.pgatour.com/qschool