Uresti’s Spring Victory At Wente Vineyards Vital To Rebirth Of His Career
Livermore, CA (November 12, 2007) – Winning the Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship At Wente Vineyards last April was only the second-best thing to happen to him this year. The first was the birth of his daughter, Isabel, in May. But the triumph at The Course At Wente Vineyards was vital to his finishing 15th on the Nationwide Tour money list and earning one of the automatic "graduation" spots for the PGA Tour in 2008.
"The victory freed me up to decide which tour I wanted to play," said Uresti, 39, whose focus immediately went to the Nationwide Tour the rest of the year. "I was not stressing so much which way to go."
By earning $247,355 in 25 events Uresti is one of the top 25 from the Nationwide Tour – all of whom played in the Wine Country Championship at Wente Vineyards — to go to the big tour next year.
"That illustrates the talent that plays at Wente Vineyards," said Chris Conway, tournament director for Northern California’s premier golf, food and wine event that is scheduled to return March 31-April 6, 2008. "We are looking forward to producing another champion in 2008 who will add to the legacy of our tournament."
For the second time in as many years, the Wine Country Championship produced the toughest course on the Nationwide Tour. Fast, firm conditions and some weekend wind resulted in the cumulative scoring average of 75.235, more than 3 over par — the highest on Tour since a 75.421 average at the 2002 Monterey Peninsula Classic (at Bayonet Golf Course, par 72). The toughest hole on the Tour was the par-4 first hole at The Course at Wente Vineyards, which played to a stroke average of 4.507.
Uresti’s winning total of even-par 288 not only was the highest for the year, but the second-highest since the tour debuted in 1990. (Roger Salazar won the 1991 South Texas Open at 3 over par.) "I like it that way," said Uresti, who has played full-time on the PGA Tour nine seasons since 1995 and holds the tour record for consecutive birdies (nine). "The golf course was set up fine. But when the rough is that thick and the greens are that hard, that course can beat you up and wear you out."
Indeed, the Greg Norman-designed Course At Wente Vineyards, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2008, wore out the best of the Nationwide Tour. Of the top 25, only three finished in the top 10, while 11 missed the cut entirely. Eventual leading money winner Richard Johnson tied for 40th at Wente Vineyards, 10 over par.
"Our golf course has the ability to stand up to world-class competition, but is adjustable enough to be playable and enjoyable for all levels of golfers the rest of the year," Conway said. "It’s a good quality to have."
The family oriented Wine Country Championship has averaged 20,000 spectators annually, with event proceeds benefiting local non-profit organizations. Sponsored by the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association and Wente Vineyards, next year the event is to benefit the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, among other organizations. Details on other sponsorship and pro-am participation opportunities, as well as admissions, are to be announced.
The only Nationwide Tour event in Northern California, the Wine Country Championship at Wente Vineyards features some of the top professionals in the world on a California wine country venue less than an hour’s drive from most Bay Area locations. Besides an up-close view of world-class golf, spectators enjoy wine tasting from more than 20 local wineries, gourmet food and special demonstrations by local chefs and vintners.
For more information about the 2008 Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship at Wente Vineyards, visit www.winecountrychampionship.com .
About Wente Vineyards
Founded in 1883, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest continuously operated family-owned winery. Owned and managed today by the fourth and fifth generations of the Wente family, the winery draws from nearly 3,000 acres of estate vineyards located in the Livermore Valley and Arroyo Seco regions of California. A global wine brand, Wente Vineyards exports wines to more than 50 countries. The Wente Vineyards Estate Winery is located at 5565 Tesla Road, Livermore, CA 94550. For more information, call (925) 456-2300 or visit www.wentevineyards.com .
About The Golf Course at Wente Vineyards
Opened in 1998, The Course at Wente Vineyards is one of California’s finest golf destinations, laid out along the Wente family estate vineyards in Livermore, 45 minutes east of San Francisco, where 18 championship holes play through the vineyards, rolling hills, and scenic valleys. Bentgrass greens, rye grass fairways, classic-style bunkers and water hazards add to the challenge of the par 72 that includes more that 200 feet of elevation change. The clubhouse is modeled after an Australian station house, reminiscent of Greg Norman’s childhood in The Outback. The Course is located at 5050 Arroyo Road, Livermore, CA 94550. Contact the golf shop at (925) 456-2475 or visit www.wentegolf.com .
About the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation
The Livermore Valley Winegrowers Foundation was founded in 1994 as way for the Valley’s wine industry to give back to the community and increase awareness of this generous wine region. Though its primary activities, the Livermore Valley Wine Auction and now the Wine Country Championship, the Foundation has contributed more than $3 million dollars for local charities ranging from providing funds for the pediatric unit at ValleyCare Medical Center, to funding the Oakland East Bay Symphony’s programs for underserved children, and to supporting Camp Arroyo, a summer camp for children with life-threatening illnesses.
About The Nationwide Tour
Formed in 1990, the Nationwide Tour has been recognized as a virtual extension of the PGA Tour with its excellent level of play. It was conceived when former commissioner Deane Beman saw the need to provide up-and-coming young players, along with veterans looking to sharpen their skills for the Champions Tour, a place to ply their trade.
The Nationwide Tour is owned and operated by the PGA Tour and will be in its 18th season in 2007. The 2006 season saw the Tour play in three countries and 22 states with the 31 tournaments playing for nearly $17 million in prize money.
Contact:
Ed Vyeda
Hunter Public Relations
(831) 375-1747
evyeda@hunter-pr.com
www.hunter-pr.com
