(Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) – The Nationwide Tour today announced a new program called The 25 that will highlight the players who are currently in the top 25 on the money list and in line to earn their 2008 PGA TOUR cards. A caddie bib program will be one element of a broader marketing campaign that will tell the story of The 25 and spotlight the Nationwide Tour’s ongoing connection and contributions to the PGA TOUR.
Each week the caddies of the top-25 players will wear a yellow bib designating the player’s current position on the money list. Caddies of all other players will continue to wear red, white, and blue bibs.
The top-25 Nationwide Tour money winners after the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Barona Creek will secure 2008 membership on the PGA TOUR. The PGA TOUR Policy Board, recognizing the growing stature of the Nationwide Tour and the success of its former players, increased the number of PGA TOUR cards to be awarded this year to 25.
"The Nationwide Tour is the proving ground for the PGA TOUR’s next stars," said Nationwide Tour President Bill Calfee. "With 200 PGA TOUR wins and 65 percent of this year’s membership having played on the Nationwide Tour, the impact of our players on golf’s greatest stage is undeniable. The essence of the Nationwide Tour comes down to the 25 PGA TOUR cards at stake. The competition is intense and I assure you players are keenly aware of their position in relation to the top 25 week-in and week-out. This storyline is a constant that bonds our players, tournaments and fans as well as embodies how the Nationwide Tour is an extension of the PGA TOUR."
"Today’s launch of The 25 program will provide another exciting story line for fans as they follow the Nationwide Tour," said Jim Lyski, chief marketing officer for Nationwide. "The 25 will highlight the quest for the card and provide a preview of the next class of Nationwide Tour players who will make an impact on the PGA TOUR."
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About the Nationwide Tour
As an extension of the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies and transitions those select golfers whose games are ready to compete and win on golf’s greatest stage. Nationwide Tour alumni have won 200 PGA TOUR events, including 10 major championships. Twenty-five PGA TOUR cards will be at stake over the course of 33 Nationwide Tour tournaments this season, with a record $18.6 million in prize money available. Recognizing this growing stature and the PGA TOUR’s commitment to charity, Nationwide, one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, renewed its umbrella sponsorship of the Nationwide Tour through 2012. The PGA TOUR, through the efforts of its three tours and their tournaments, sponsors, players and volunteers, supports over 2,000 local charities and recently surpassed the $1 billion mark in charitable giving. To learn more about the Nationwide Tour’s rich history and the PGA TOUR’s next stars, visit www.PGATOUR.com.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, OH, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $158 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks No. 98 on the Fortune 100 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide and the Nationwide Framework are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. On Your Side is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Contact:
Jeff Adams
Director of Communications
Nationwide Tour
Tel: 904-273-3397
Email: jadams@pgatourhq.com
