Gallman Qualifies For First Nationwide Event
8/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Telico Village, Tenn. – In what has been a steady progression of accomplishments as a professional golfer this summer, former USC Upstate standout and Gaffney, S.C., native Josh Gallman has attained perhaps his top achievement so far, shooting a 65 in Monday's qualifier to earn a spot in the Knoxville New Sentinel Open on the Nationwide Tour.
Gallman will make his first appearance on the Nationwide Tour when he tees off in the tournament Thursday. The Nationwide Tour is one step away from the PGA Tour and Gallman's appearance on the tour just three months after turning pro is nothing short of spectacular.
Gallman began his round on hole No. 10 at the Links at Kahite course. He stood at 1-over-par through three holes, then birdied three of his next six holes to go out at 2-under. He played his final nine holes 4-under to, birdying three of his last five holes, to finish his round at 6-under. He finished the qualifying round in third place with only seven players earning a spot in the Knoxville News Sentinel Open from the Links at Kahite site. Another seven players gained entry at a qualifying site at the Toqua Golf Club.
"Tuck (former Upstate teammate Tyler Tucker who is caddying for him this week) told me that I needed to birdie three holes coming in to qualify and I did it," said Gallman. "I'm really excited and I'm just going to see what I can do."
The Knoxville News Sentinel Open will be played this Thurs.-Sun., August 26-29, at Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville. Tee times for Thursday have not been released at this time.
Gallman has had a tremendous start to his professional career after graduating in May and turning pro. He won his inaugural pro event at the River Falls Tournament on the Carolina Mountain Tour, claimed two more wins on the CMT, finished in the top 10 in two events on the Hooters Carolina Summer Series Tour, and finished second in his first eGolf Tour event.
Gallman finished his career at Upstate as the program's all-time top golfer. He owns every career, season and single-round record at Upstate, including career numbers of seven tournament wins, 21 top five finishes, 33 top 10 efforts and a 72.7 stroke average. He was a two-time winner of Upstate's Male Student-Athlete of the Year, a three-time all-conference selection in the A-Sun, a two-time member of the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar team selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America, and earned ESPN The Magazine Third Team Academic America honors. He graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in business marketing out of the George Dean Johnson, Jr., College of Business.
