Golfers Advance in Quest for PGA Cards

Seven golfers with area ties advanced to the second stage of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament by finishing in the top 25 of the first stage that ended Friday at Crystalaire Country Club in Llano.

Jeff Sanday, who played at Cal State Northridge, led area golfers with a four-round total of 13-under-par 275. He finished third, eight strokes behind stage winner Chris Riley of Las Vegas.

Jason Gore of Valencia and Chris Zambri finished tied for ninth at eight-under-par 280.

Also qualifying were John Johnson of Ventura (281), Brad Gallagher of Valencia (282), former Pepperdine standout Michael Walton (282) and Chad Wright of Ventura (284).

The second stage will be held at six sites around the country early next month. Qualifiers from those six tournaments advance to the six-round final stage in Florida early in December. The top 40 from the final stage earn PGA Tour exemptions for 1998.

Tournament set: The 10th annual Pepperdine Golf Tournament is set for Nov. 24 at North Ranch Country Club.

Included in the $375 fee is a clinic with Senior PGA Tour member Al Geiberger, father of Pepperdine Coach John Geiberger, an 18-hole best ball shotgun tournament and a dinner and awards presentation with former Waves’ All-American Gore.

All proceeds benefit student scholarships at the university. Information: (310) 456-4028.