A Kelowna golfer has taken his next step towards competing at the highest level. 

Justin Towill, who recently graduated from the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), finished ninth overall at a qualifying tournament in Courtenay, B.C. to earn a spot on the PGA Tour Americas.

PGA Tour Americas is a newly formed 'tour' that replaced the PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoam茅rica. The 16 event tournament provides opportunities for golfers to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour, which is one rung below the PGA Tour. 

Towill is now exempt from the North American swing, meaning that he is automatically entered into all 10 remaining tournaments under the Tour Americas banner. 

After each season, the top 10 will receive tour cards for the Korn Ferry Tour for the following season.

A native of Kelowna, Towill finished at seven-under par at the four round qualifying tournament to claim the ninth and final spot for exempt status.

"I was working towards this while at UBCO and actually being here and getting through the Q School in my first attempt is unbelievable," Towill said. "I've been looking forward to this for a long time and for it to be here already is awesome."

Q School is the term for the annual qualifying tournaments that take place throughout the year. A fixed number of players in the tournament win membership, meaning that they would not have to qualify for subsequent tournaments. 

Next up for Towill is The Beachlands Victoria Open, taking place on Thursday, June 20, in Victoria. He will have 10 events from June to September to try and claw into the top 120 points list, where he will then be eligible for the season-ending Fortinet Cup Championship, hosted in Toronto. 

Prior to qualifying, the Okanagan Mission Secondary School graduate had been competing at the Asher Tour this year, where he had competed in eight events. 

More information can be found at .