October 4, 2005

DUBLIN, OH — Jason Ridgeway passed his Playing Ability Test last week shooting a pair of 77's at Weatherwax Golf Course.  It was his first attempt.

The Playing Ability Test (PAT) is one of the first steps in becoming a PGA Professional. To pass the 36-hole PAT, determined by multiplying the USGA course rating by two and then adding 15 strokes.  He needed to shoot less than 157 strokes.

"It wasn't easy, but I passed the PAT with a pair of 77's for 154....2 strokes better than what is necessary," said Ridgeway.  "It was quite disappointing to 3-putt four times on the last nine.  I really did not play that great, but enough to get the job done."

The Playing Ability Test is conducted from the middle tees with the flagsticks located on a generally flat area of the green. Less than 20-percent of golfers trying to pass actually do so.

The pair of 77's carded him 41 and 46 points towards the On Tour Championship.  Ridgeway currently holds 25th position in a field of 81 players.

Ridgeway becomes the first player within the group to past their PAT.  The 2005 Red Zone Alert completes in 13 days.