Former OC golfer Stark closes in on European Tour status

VALENCIA, Spain (Nov. 10, 2015) – Former Oklahoma Christian golf standout Oscar Stark has moved a step closer to his goal of playing on the European Tour.
Stark tied for 17th in the Second Qualifying Stage of the tour’s Q School at Campo de Golf El Saler, which ended a four-day run on Monday. By doing so, he snagged one of the final qualifying spots for the Final Stage of the tour’s Q School.

The top 25 finishers in the Final Stage – a grueling six-round event that will begin on Saturday at Catalunya Resort’s Tour and Stadium Courses near Girona, Spain – will receive full playing privileges on the European Tour for 2016. Stark will be one of 156 players vying to again advance.

The 27-year-old Stark was one of 266 players to qualify for the Second Qualifying Stage, which was held at four courses in Spain, and only 73 of those advanced to the Final Stage. Stark finished at 3-under-par and by qualifying for the Final Stage, he’s now guaranteed at least a full season on the developmental Challenge Tour.

He’s played 13 events on the Challenge Tour this year, with a high finish of fourth in the Swiss Challenge in June in Lucerne, Switzerland. He’s earned 14,322 in 2015, putting him 94th on that tour’s money list.

Stark, from Gothenburg, Sweden, was a four-time NAIA All-America selection from 2008 to 2011 at OC, receiving first-team honors the final three years. He was a part of teams that won the NAIA title in 2009 and 2011 and as a senior in 2011, he received the Arnold Palmer and Nicklaus Awards after earning individual medalist honors at the NAIA Championship.

He’s seeking to join former OC teammate Rhein Gibson in earning a spot on one of the world’s major golf tours. Gibson advanced through the Q School last year to secure a spot on the 2015 Web.com Tour, then earned a PGA Tour playing card for 2016 with a high finish last month in the Web.com Championship.