The Bainbridge High School alum joins the Canadian professional golf tour.

Joe Lanza is taking a different path to the PGA Tour.

The former Bainbridge High School and St. Mary’s College golf star is taking his game to the Canadian Pro Tour. He qualified at the Q School for the tour Feb. 14-17 held at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills, Calif.

Lanza shot an 8-under par (67-74-68-71-280) to finish tied for 10th with two other players to earn his exempt card for the tour.

Lanza tried for the PGA Tour in November of last year, but couldn’t finish the Q school. His dad, Vince Lanza, said he’ll try for the tour every year.

At St. Mary’s, Joe Lanza was a two-time academic All-American, the West Coast Conference Player of the Year and the conference champion in 2005.

“For Joe’s career, it was a real big bonus,” Vince said. “For his career development, it’s a real big step. They treat you like a PGA player, and you don’t get that kind of experience on the mini-tours.”

The Canadian Pro Tour is a member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. Japan, Australia, Asia, South Africa, Europe, and the PGA Tour make up the rest.

The tour, which holds tournaments from Canada to the U.S. to Mexico, started yesterday with the Yes! Golf Barton Creek Classic in Austin, Texas.

It continues through the summer, ending with the Bell Canadian Open in Ancaster, Ontario.

While Vince and his wife, Laurinda, plan to travel to his tournaments in Victoria, B.C. and Mazatlan, Mex., islanders can follow Lanza on the tour through an online log.

See www.joelanza.com to sign up for updates on his play.