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Drew Weaver’s quest to make it to the PGA Tour got started on a strong note, as the former Virginia Tech golfer won a first-stage event at the PGA Tour’s National Qualifying Tournament – better known as q-school.

Playing at Pinewild Country Club just outside of Pinehurst, N.C., on Tuesday through Friday, Weaver shot a four-round total of 12-under-par to beat former PGA Tour player Stephen Gangluff by one stroke and win the stage. Weaver shot rounds of 66, 71, 68 and 71 on the par-72 layout. His first-round 66 tied for the best round of the stage.

Also, former Tech golfer Nick MacDonald played in a first-stage event. MacDonald played at Dayton Valley Golf Club in in Las Vegas and shot 12-under-par for the stage. He finished in a tie for eighth place, five shots back of winner Ryan Yip of Canada. MacDonald shot rounds of 70, 70, 65 and 71.

Weaver, the 2007 British Amateur winner, and MacDonald advanced to a second-stage event to be held Nov. 16-20 at a course to be determined. The top 23 finishers and ties advance to a second-stage event.

First-stage events were held at seven different courses. Second-stage events will be held at six different courses. Second-stage survivors advance to a third and final stage held at Orange County National in Winter Garden, Fla., on Dec. 1-6. The final stage is unique in that it is six rounds as opposed to four.

If both make it to the final stage, both will at the least be conditionally exempt on the Nationwide Tour. The top 25 finishers of the final stage earn their PGA cards, while the next 50 (plus ties) earn Nationwide Tour cards. The rest earn conditionally exempt status on the Nationwide Tour.

For updates on Virginia Tech golf, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_MGolf).