SCHNELL SHOOTS 65, TIES FOR 2ND AT ARROWHEAD

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Brady Scnell, who shot 63 in the final round to win the North Dakota State Open six months ago, had a chance to do something similar on Friday in first tournament of the Gateway Tour's Desert Spring Series.

The 23-year-old former University of Nebraska star birdied six of the first eight holes in the final round at The Legend at Arrowhead Golf Club, and eight of the first 12. But from there, he played 1 over par, with one bogey and five pars.

It all added up to a 7-under-par 65, a tie for second place (along with James Drew) -- and $8,575.

Second-round leader Drew Stoltz didn't exactly sit on his lead. He shot a 67 and won the tournament by three strokes with a 54-hole total of 200. That earned him $16,000.

Schnell and James Drew wound up three strokes behind at 203.

Schnell, who was the leading money-winner on the '08 Dakotas Tour with just under $62,000, has now made $22,744 in nine Gateway Tournaments this year. 

Josh Persons, the former Gopher who was in third place going into Friday's round, could do no better than a 74 and dropped back into a tie for 18th place at 209, which was worth $1,400.  

GATEWAY TOUR

Desert Spring Series

Tournament #1

At The Legend at Arrowhead Golf Club

Par 72, 6,969 yards

Glendale, Ariz.

Final results

1. Drew Stoltz, Scottsdale                     $16,000      65-68-67--200

T2. Brady Schnell, Milford, Iowa       8,575     67-71-65--203

T2. James Drew, Las Vegas                     8,575       66-71-66--203

4. Benoit Beisser, Scottsdale                     5,500       68-71-65--204     

T18. Josh Persons, Fargo                  1,680     66-69-74--209

T23. Eric Johnson, Elk River             1,400     69-70-71--210

T29. Neil Johnson, River Falls            1,175     73-68-71--212

Missed cut (142)

Kane Hanson                               69-74--143

David Morgan, Rochester              74-71--145