THUNDER BAY -- The final 10 players have earned their spots in this week’s Staal Foundation Open.
None of them are locals.
The top-10 players in Monday’s qualifier at Fort William Country Club bring the entry list to the PGA Tour Canada event, which kicks off Thursday at the Whitewater Golf Course, up to 156 golfers.
Marathon’s Darcy Donaldson was the closest local to earning a spot, finishing with an even par round of 72 that left him one shot out of a five-man playoff for the final three spots.
Donaldson was one-under heading to No. 18 but three-putted from 12 feet to card a bogey.
“I thought I had to make (the birdie putt) and I hit it a little far past and missed the comebacker,” Donaldson said. “It sucks missing by one.”
Many of the players with local ties in the qualifier struggled.
Bill Shewchuk was the next local, shooting 74. The city’s most decorated amateur golfer, Barry Caland, recorded a 75. Nathan Breukelman had a 77, Evan Littlefield shot 80 and Robert Atatise had an 82.
The course did not yield many low scores.
Paul Woodbury had the low round of the day, shooting a four-under 68. Jesse Spiers, Andrew Rasmussen, Brett Cairns and Linus Gillgren all shot a round of 69.
Walter Keating Jr., Evan DeGrazia, Jeff Hunter, Robbie Untinen, Jamie Depiero and Alan McLean are the six players with local ties who will tee up with the pros starting on Thursday.
