Former Husker Gutschewski Tearing Up Nationwide Tour

Nebraska native and former Husker Scott Gutschewski has been one of the hottest players on the Nationwide Tour during August and September, putting him in a position to earn a permanent position on that tour in 2004.

The 26-year-old Gutschewski spent the first part of 2003 playing on mini-tours, including the Tight Lies Tour. He received an opportunity at the next level when he received a sponsor's exemption to the Nationwide Omaha Classic on Aug. 7-10. The Nationwide Tour is operated by the PGA Tour and has served as a training and proving ground for a number of the game's top players. The top 20 players on the Nationwide Tour receive full playing privileges on the PGA Tour the following season.

Gutschewski made the most of his sponsor's exemption in front of the hometown crowd. He opened the tournament with a 65, putting him among the leaders and finished four rounds at 17-under par to finish in a tie for 16th place and earn a paycheck of $7,975. More importantly, his finish among the top 25 allowed him to play in the following week's event in Springfield, Mo., and he hasn't left the tour since.

The Ralston High School graduate finished in an eighth-place tie at the Price Cutter Championship in Springfield, Mo., at 18-under par, good for $14,175. He narrowly kept his tour status the following week, finishing in a tie for 25th place at the Wichita Open. Gutschewski then finished in a tie for 16th place at the Alberta Calgary Classic over Labor Day weekend.

He capped his run of strong play last week at the Envirocare Utah Classic, where he was tied for the lead after three rounds before finishing in third place. His 19-under-par total earned him a check for $30,600, pushing his season earnings to $61,690 in just five tournaments. Gutschewski is now 56th on the Nationwide money list and his position has earned him a Special Temporary Member card for the rest of the 2003 Nationwide season, which includes eight more events.

Gutschewski will not play in this week's event in Oregon, but plans to play in the majority of the remaining events. While it remains a long shot, Gutschewski's hot play has given him an outside chance at advancing to the PGA Tour in 2004. Currently, 20th place on the Nationwide Tour money list is $124,102.

Gutschewski played for Coach Larry Romjue at Nebraska from 1997 to 1999. Gutschewski was a key part of the most successful team in school history in 1999. The Huskers finished second at the Big 12 Championships and 14th at the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis.