Local pro Mark Goetz advances to final stage of Korn Ferry Q-school

Mark Goetz secured future starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, but he wants more.

The 25-year-old Greensburg native and Hannastown Golf Club member tied for first in the second stage of tour Q-School with a 19-under-par total of 269 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Highland Oaks — Highlands/Marshwood in Dothan, Ala.

The former West Virginia standout carded a blistering 10-under 62 in the second round, his third sub-70 score in the 72-hole event.

His 62 included 10 birdies, seven on the front nine for a 29.

“To have guaranteed (starts) means the world,” Goetz said. “I know what it feels like to miss it at first stage. And that was definitely on my mind.”

Goetz, who played high school golf at The Kiski School, was co-medalist with Connor Burgess, a Virginia Tech alum. Goetz tied for 10th at a first-stage tournament last month at 15-under 273.

Goetz, who made 7 of 9 cuts last season on PGA Tour Canada, moves on to the final stage set for Dec. 14-17 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedre Beach, Fla.

The top five finishers in the final stage receive a PGA Tour card. Other finishers will be exempt on the Korn Ferry Tour, the level just below the PGA Tour.

This is the first time since 2012 where Q-School provides a direct path to the PGA Tour.

Congratulations to Mark Goetz, who tied for first this week at the second stage of the @KornFerryTour Q-School!

With the tie for first today, Mark will earn guaranteed starts on 2024 @KornFerryTour!

▶️ https://t.co/IxObWuc4EA https://t.co/3M88DvAJRW

— WVU Golf (@WVUGolf) November 17, 2023

Congratulations to Mark Goetz, who tied for first this week at the second stage of the @KornFerryTour Q-School!

With the tie for first today, Mark will earn guaranteed starts on 2024 @KornFerryTour!

▶️ https://t.co/IxObWuc4EA https://t.co/3M88DvAJRW

— WVU Golf (@WVUGolf) November 17, 2023