Headline: Former MGA Open Champions - Jim Renner and Evan Harmeling - Advance to Final Stage of Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament

For Immediate Release: November 28, 2016

Jim Renner (top) and Evan Harmeling.

Norton, MA — While the 2016 MGA competitive season wrapped up last month, the vital parts of the season for two former MGA Open Champions are just gaining steam following the announcement that both qualified for the final stage of Qualifying School as they seek Web.com Tour status for the 2017 season.

CLICK HERE for the official release.

Jim Renner, the 2008 MGA Open Champion, and Evan Harmeling, an Andover native who won a three-hole aggregate playoff to capture the 2013 MGA Open title at Woodland GC, were among the more than 150 players who will compete at the final stage of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament next month at Orange County National Golf Club’s Crooked Cat and Panther Lake courses in Florida. The announcement was made by the PGA last week.

Competing for a spot on the Web.com Tour, the development tour of the PGA Tour, both Renner and Harmeling will be among those competing in the 72-hole tournament for the opportunity to be among the top-45 players and ties, who will be guaranteed starts for the first portion of the 2017 Tour season.

The medalist at Final Stage will receive fully exempt status on the 2017 Web.com Tour, according to the release. The Final Stage is the third stage of the Web.com Tour and serves as a stepping stone for players who are seeking to earn their PGA Tour cards.

Qualifying for the Final State caps a successful 2016 campaign for both Renner and Harmeling.

Renner, originally from Plainville, Mass., registered two top-10 finishes on the Web.com Tour in 2016 and earned more than $54,000 during that time. He turned professional in 2007.   

Harmeling, who turned professional in 2012 following a successful tenure on the Princeton University men’s golf team, placed T18 at the Second Stage of Qualifying School from Nov.8-11 at Southern Hills Plantations Club in Brooksville, Fla. He fired a 2-under 282 in the four-day tournament.

Renner made news in 2014 when he tallied the best finish of his career, finishing T2 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am while Harmeling received praise for donating his $15,000 in winnings from the 2013 MGA Open, his first professional victory, to the One Fund Boston after the Boston Marathon bombings earlier that year.   

Both will compete beginning on December 8 at the two Winter Garden, Florida courses.