This week: First stage from Tuesday through Friday, San Juan Oaks Golf Club, Hollister, Calif.

In the field: Puyallup’s Derek Barron, Tacoma’s Chris Griffin, Fife’s Chris Ming and University Place’s Andrew Putnam.

Barron’s final-round score: 4-under-par 68.

Griffin’s final-round score: 3-under 69.

Putnam’s final-round score: 1-over 73.

Ming’s final-round score: 1-over 73.

Position: Putnam (5-under 283) finished tied for 24th, Barron (3-under 285) tied for 32nd, Griffin (5-over 293) tied for 56th and Ming (8-over 296) finished 65th – all behind medalist Mark Warman.

Next: No local advanced to the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School, which starts Nov. …

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A number popped into the mind of Puyallup golfer Derek Barron as he entered the final round of PGA Tour Qualifying School in California.

“Thinking 65,” he said.

A 66 would have worked, too.

As it turned out Friday, the Emerald Ridge High graduate made a valiant effort with a 4-under-par 68 at San Juan Oaks Golf Club – but he fell short of advancing to second stage.

“I had the chances,” Barron said.

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University Place’s Andrew Putnam needed something to get him going on the leaderboard.

Birdies – many of them – helped.

He opened his third round at PGA Tour Qualifying School with three birdies in his first five holes – including the first one on a 30-foot putt at the 10th hole – and he finished with back-to-back birdies to fire a 6-under-par 66 at San Juan Oaks Golf Club.

Putnam (6-under 210) is tied for 11th – and in great shape to be one of the 22 golfers to advance to the second stage of Q-School.

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No doubt about it, being at, near or inside the cut-line is much easier on the psyche than floundering miles away from it.

And Puyallup’s Derek Barron is understanding that fully this week at the first stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School in California.

Barron, an Emerald Ridge High graduate, rebounded with a 3-under-par 69 under calmer conditions for the second round Wednesday at San Juan Oaks Golf Club.

He is at 2-under 142 at the midway point, and tied for 27th. The top 22 move on to the second stage.

Univeristy Place’s Andrew Putnam shot a 70, and is …

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Maybe it was the immediate challenge Puyallup’s Derek Barron needed, just to get a taste of life at PGA Tour Qualifying School.

Playing in the final group, when the breeze was howling through San Juan Oaks Golf Club, Barron shot a 1-over-par 73, and is tied for 41st after the first round of the event.

The top 22 after four rounds advance to the second stage.

Tacoma’s Chris Griffin also shot 73, follwed by University Place’s Andrew Putnam (74) and Fife’s Chris Ming (77).

Barron was 3-over after he hit an approach shot into a hazard, and made double bogey at the par-5 15th hole.

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This week: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Disney’s Magnolia and Palm Golf Clubs in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Fourth-round score: 5-under-par 67.

Position: Gonzales (10-under 278) tied for 16th, seven strokes behind winner Luke Donald (271).

Recap: What a great way for the Capital High graduate to finish off his rookie season, even if he will embark on another trip to PGA Tour Qualifying School to regain full-time status in 2012 – or beyond. For starters, he recorded a bogey-free round with five birdies (at the third, sixth, eighth, 10th and 16th holes) – his first clean …

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This week: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Disney’s Magnolia and Palm Golf Clubs in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Third-round score: 2-under-par 70 at Magnolia Course.

Position: Gonzales (5-under 211) is tied for 39th, nine strokes behind co-leaders Kevin Chappell and Justin Leonard (202).

Recap: Three of Gonzales’ four birdies came on par-5 holes – at No. 4 (25-yard bunker shot to 2 feet), No. 8 (85-yard approach to 4 feet) and No. 14 (95-yard approach to 12 feet). The Capital High graduate likely will not move up to the top two needed to retain his PGA Tour …

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If it had not been advertised otherwise, the final sequence of golf Friday at Lake Oswego (Ore.) Country Club could have been mistakened for a sneak peek at the Presidents Cup.

Golfers from both the Northwest club professional and amateur sides sat crowding the ninth green. Camera clicks could be heard all around.

And Bonney Lake’s Sean Packer – the only man standing between the continuation or the end of a long professionals’ win streak at the Hudson Cup – loved every moment of it.

Packer buried a 3-foot putt for par to halve his match with close friend, and fellow Western Washington University golf alum Luke Bennett, and the amateurs held on for a 101/2-91/2 victory.

The last time the Northwest Club professionals lost in this tournament was 1978. The match was halved in 2007.

“To have a chance to do it,” Packer said, “you have to take advantage.”

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