I’m not sure if George McNeill is the exception or the rule as far as golfers having played in the Greater Cedar Rapids Open and then going on to become successful PGA Tour golfers. There’s been several – obviously our Zach Johnson being one and Derek Lamely another – though their careers have varied greatly.

Both Johnson and Lamely won the GCRO – Lamely twice – and those involved in the tournament would like to think those victories played at least a small part in helping those players reach the Tour. But McNeill never won here.

He tied for second in 2005, two strokes behind champion and fellow Ft. Myers, Fla., native Lamely. In 2006, McNeill, who appeared on the fast track for the Tour when he came out of Florida State, took fourth at the GCRO. Two tries, no wins. And a long road. And, it comes to be, a successful one.

McNeill has now played in 152 PGA events through Sunday and has earned more than $7.4 million for his career. He has two PGA career wins, including this year’s Puerto Rico Open, six second-place finishes and 14 Top 10s.

I happened to catch some great clips on McNeill on Inside the PGA Tour on Golf Channel. His story is about persistence, though he did drop out of competitive golf for a time. If you have some time, watch the videos.

There’s five specifically featuring McNeill and his climb up the PGA ladder along with some other instructional videos. All are definitely worth watching. At least I thought so.

So, I’m wondering when the next George McNeill will find his way from the GCRO and Hunters Ridge Golf Course in Marion, Iowa, to the PGA Tour? Or did he pass through last year and we just have to wait.

Don Wojciechowski resides in the Hunters Ridge Golf Course community and plays the course on a regular basis. He’s a former sports editor for a suburban Chicago daily newspaper and an avid golf fan.