ELMSFORD, N.Y. (November 30, 2015) – Past MGA Player of the Year winners Mike Miller (2011 & 2012) and David Pastore (2014) recently advanced to the Final Stage of Web.com Tour Qualifying School, which takes place December 10-13 at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Second Stage Recaps: Miller | Pastore

After Miller and Pastore punched their tickets to the finals, the MGA caught up with the two players with a brief Q&A, gaining thoughts and insight on their last year of play. Miller and Pastore were two of several area players competing on the Mackenzie Tour (PGA TOUR Canada) in 2015, and are now looking to make their way onto the Web.com Tour for next season.

Pastore also shared a couple photos which highlighted his last year of play, displayed in the November issue of Met Golfer EXTRA.
 

MGA	What were a couple major takeaways or learning experiences from competing on the Mackenzie Tour in 2015?			MGA	You had a big year with the MGA in 2014, winning two majors and taking Player of the Year honors. How would you describe your year since then?
Miller	Definitely learning the ins and outs of being on a tour. Beyond the golf course, I got used to traveling from week to week, tournament to tournament, hotel to hotel and managing my time on and off the course. I think this was something that will really benefit me as I move forward.			Pastore	I'm very happy with the way I've played and the progress I've continued to show at the Professional level, but I haven't placed first in any events since the Met Amateur. I've played just as well if not better and had top finishes but it shows that winning takes a little magic. It gives me more perspective on how sweet it was to win three big events in a span of a few months in 2014.
MGA	You had a great finish to the season in Canada with three-straight top-10 finishes, was there anything that clicked for you during that time to go on such a run?			MGA	Did you follow the MGA Championship season, and, if so, what stood out to you the most?
Miller	A goal I set early in the season was to put myself in contention as much as I could. Learning how to forget certain rounds and knowing that tomorrow something great could happen, I started to play with much more freedom. Knowing I kept my [Mackenzie Tour] card going into the last half of the season allowed me to enjoy the game and try to win.			Pastore	I definitely followed. The toughest thing for me was not being able to play the championships at Friar's Head, Baltursrol, and Winged Foot. Those are three of my favorite courses anywhere, let alone in the Met Area. I was happy for Cam Young to win POY and Peter Kim's win also stood out to me with his West Point schedule and his limited practice time.
MGA	After a T-12 and T-4 in the first two stages of Q-School, what have been the strongest aspects of your game?			MGA	What were a couple major takeaways or learning experiences from competing on the Mackenzie Tour in 2015?
Miller	My mental approach to Q-school has changed. I now approach Q-school as an opportunity, rather than with a "this better work" attitude, which I have had in the past. It helps that my putting is now a strength rather than a weakness.			Pastore	I'd say learning how to travel and play multiple weeks in a row - what to pack, adjusting to different courses, different cities. Also the importance of a good caddie.
MGA	What do you think about the Final Stage of Web.com Tour Q-School now being four rounds, compared to the six it has been the last few years?			MGA	What was it like to make your PGA Tour debut in your home state at the Travelers Championship?
Miller	To be honest, I am not a fan of the four rounds rather than six. To me, six rounds was always something to look forward to, knowing that every shot won’t make or break finals. Now it will likely bunch everyone together, but that’s where it’s gone and I look forward to being a part of it all.			Pastore	That was probably the highlight of my summer. Qualifying for the Travelers made it possible for so many of my friends and family to watch me in my PGA Tour debut. Any other PGA Tour event and I wouldn't have had so much support, simply because it's our home event.
MGA	What have you learned from your Q-School experience that will help you in the Final Stage this season?			MGA	After top-five finishes in each of the first two stages of Q-School, what have been the strongest aspects of your game?
Miller	I have learned to be patient and not get ahead of myself. In the past, I have put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, rather than just allowing everything to unfold. I have tried so hard to control the outcome, but we all know that’s not how this game works.			Pastore	My putting has been great but I've been very happy with all aspects of my game. On the off day when I'm not my sharpest, my short game and course management has saved me.
MGA	Did you follow the MGA Championship season, and, if so, what stood out to you the most?			MGA	What do you think about the Final Stage of Web.com Tour Q-School now being four rounds, compared to the six-round event you competed in last year?
Miller	I did follow. It's always nice to be reminded of the strong competition we have in our area. So many of MGA tournaments were incredibly important in helping me get my game to where it is today. As far as 2015 Player of the Year, Cameron Young is a great player and I am happy to see him succeed, not only in the Met Area but wherever his game takes him.			Pastore	I like the change because it mimics the format of nearly every professional event. Why not be tested in a four round tournament when that's all you play on any tour?
				MGA	What did you learn from your experience at the Final Stage of Q-School last year, and how can you apply it to this year?
				Pastore	I still have to go out and play well, but I feel a little bit more comfortable in that I know what to expect this year. I know the majority of the players now when last year I knew no one. I have more experience on the courses, and I have an idea of what scores I need to shoot to achieve what I want. Hopefully I can improve on my finish this year.