April 2, 2016

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — University of South Carolina Men’s Golf senior Will Starke won medalist honors at the second round of Mackenzie Tour Q-School, which wrapped up Saturday afternoon at the Wannamaker Course at PGA Golf Club. Starke posted a four-round score of 272 (-16) to top Gamecock teammate Matt NeSmith by two strokes.

Starke earns a full exemption to the 2016 Mackenzie Tour slate with his victory, while NeSmith is exempt through the first reshuffle. A third Gamecock senior, Sean Kelly, tied for 17th at the Q-School to earn conditional status on the Mackenzie Tour in 2016.

Starke closed with a round of 8-under 64 on Saturday to edge NeSmith by two strokes. NeSmith fired a 2-under 70 in his final round to post a total score of 274 (-14) and give the Gamecocks the top two spots at the Wannamaker Course.

Kelly closed with his best round of the qualifying tournament on Saturday, a 69 (-3) that gave him a 72-hole score of 284 (-4).

The three current Gamecocks will join 2015 South Carolina alumnus Caleb Sturgeon on the 2016 Mackenzie Tour circuit. Sturgeon tied for 11th at the first round of Q-School, held March 22-25 at Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. Like NeSmith, he will be exempt through the first reshuffle.

The Mackenzie Tour will hold two more rounds of Q-School before the season begins with the Freedom 55 Financial Open, held May 26-29 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The tournament is the first of 12 events held across Canada, culminating with the Freedom 55 Financial Championship, Sept. 15-18 in London, Ontario.

UP NEXT FOR THE GAMECOCKS

The three current Gamecocks have a quick turnaround, as they will join their South Carolina teammates at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate in Awendaw, S.C. The tournament begins Sunday at 10 a.m. and runs through Tuesday at Bulls Bay Golf Club.