Nationwide Will Be Part Of PGA Tour Thru 2012

Did anyone else see that Nationwide and the PGA TOUR announced that the company will extend its umbrella sponsorship of the Nationwide Tour for five years through the 2012 season. Nationwide has been the umbrella sponsor of the Tour since 2003.

Interest in the Nationwide Tour has grown dramatically during the past four years of Nationwide’s sponsorship. Fueled by the performance of Nationwide Tour alumni on the PGA TOUR, and in premier events like the Ryder Cup, television audiences, corporate support, tournament attendance and purses have all seen significant growth since 2003.

The Nationwide Tour began in 1990 and experienced slow, steady growth over the years until the arrival of Nationwide as the umbrella sponsor in 2003. Since then, purses have grown to record levels and the Tour is acknowledged as one of the most competitive tours in the world.

In 2006, the Nationwide Tour consisted of 31 tournaments played in three countries and 22 states with purses reaching nearly $17 million.

Former Nationwide Tour players, including Stuart Appleby, Chris DiMarco, John Daly, Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Troy Matteson and David Toms, have won 196 PGA TOUR events, including 21 in 2006. Twelve of the 21 2005 Nationwide Tour graduates finished among the PGA TOUR’s top 125 players, with eight earning at least $1 million and three winning PGA TOUR events in 2006. Nine of the 12 2006 U.S.Ryder Cup team members graduated from the Nationwide Tour.