WICHITA, Kan.  -  Oklahoma Christian University's Rhein Gibson will play in this week's PGA Nationwide Tour event in Wichita.

The Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open begins Thursday at the Crestview Country Club. Gibson, who won the Oklahoma State Amateur tournament last month, will tee off at 2 p.m. Wednesday and at 9:05 a.m. in Thursday's second round.

On Monday, 216 golfers competed at two sites for the last 14 spots in the Wichita Open field. Gibson qualified by placing fourth with a four-under-par 68 at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kan.

Gibson, a four-time All-American at Oklahoma Christian, is just the third golfer in OC's illustrious golf history to qualify for a Nationwide Tour event.

The first was honorable mention All-American Nick Hartzler, who played in the 2003 Omaha Classic won by current PGA Tour pro Bo Van Pelt. Juan Lizarralde, another four-time All-American at OC, qualified for last year's Miccosukee Championship in Miami, Fla.

 -OC-