Nationwide Tour golf could return in 2013

  • Tommy Braswell
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  • Posted: Thursday, September 8, 2011 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Sunday, March 18, 2012 3:12 p.m.
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This year's Nationwide Tour Championship will mark the final year of a three-year deal for the season-ending golf event to be played at Daniel Island Club. But that doesn't mean it will be the final time in Charleston for the PGA Tour's developmental circuit.

The Tour Championship will be played Oct. 27-30 at the Ralston Creek Course with the top 60 on the Nationwide Tour money list qualifying. The top 25 money winners after the Daniel Island tournament will advance to the PGA Tour in 2012.

When the original agreement was signed with Daniel Island, the Nationwide Tour said it would take the event to another location for 2012 because of the PGA Championship, which will be played Aug. 9-12 at Kiawah Island's Ocean Course.

"I'm not sure where we're going to move it next year," Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee said Wednesday, "but, hopefully, we'll be coming back in 2013. We'd love to come back. It has worked out well for all involved. The tournament has been growing. The community is really starting to embrace it."

Before coming to Daniel Island, the event was played in McKinney, Texas, in 2006 and in San Diego in 2007.

Calfee said he isn't worried that momentum will be lost with a one-year absence from the Charleston area.

"I think we've set the foundation. I think the community understands what the Nationwide Tour Championship is all about. I don't see any issues taking the year off and coming back in '13 and building it back up from there."

Calfee was accompanied Wednesday by PGA Tour golfers Tommy Gainey, a native of Bishopville who now lives in Camden, and former Wofford golfer William McGirt, both of whom played the Nationwide Tour last season. Former University of South Carolina golfer Kyle Thompson, sixth on this year's Nationwide Tour money list, also was at the news conference to promote next month's event.

The PGA Tour is also searching for a new umbrella sponsor to replace Nationwide, which announced last year that it would not renew its contract when it expires at the end of 2012.

Calfee said a number of companies have shown interest.

"It's still a challenge in the economic environment we are dealing with," Calfee said. "I'm confident that we'll sell it. I'm confident we'll get a good partner and confident the tour is going to continue to grow.

A return to Daniel Island in 2013 also could come as part of a different PGA Tour format. The PGA Tour is considering changes that would do away with qualifying school and make the Nationwide Tour the only avenue to qualify for the top circuit. Calfee said that will be discussed when the PGA Tour board of directors meets in October.

2011 Nationwide Tour Championship

When: Oct. 27-30

Where: Daniel Island Club, Ralston Creek Course

What: Top 60 money winners on Nationwide Tour compete for $1 million purse ($180,000 to winner), with top 25 on the final money list earning PGA Tour playing privileges for 2012.

Tickets: NationwideTourChampionship.com or (843) 856-7900.

Fun fact: Four 2010 Nationwide Tour graduates won 2011 PGA Tour events - Keegan Bradley (PGA Championship, Byron Nelson); Brendan Steele (Texas Open); Chris Kirk (Viking Classic); and Jhonattan Vegas (Bob Hope Classic).

TOMMY GAINEY

Hometown: Camden

2011 PGA Tour: $1,902,831 (36th in earnings)

2010 Daniel Island memory: "The thing that really stood out was the people of Daniel Island, the volunteers and everyone on the supporting staff, how well they treated me, my family and my friends. I had a lot of friends come and watch me play and seeing that was awesome. It made me feel like I was one of their own and I really appreciated that." -- Gainey, who finished in a tie for 27th in the Tour Championship, finished the year fourth on the money list with $403,957 and won twice.

WILLIAM MCGIRT

Hometown: Boiling Springs

2011 PGA Tour: $427,960 (137th in earnings)

2010 Daniel Island memory: "I played 16 tournaments in 17 weeks to end the season. Walking across that bridge (from the 18th green) when I was done, my wife was waiting at the end of the bridge. I gave her a big hug and a kiss. It was sad to see the season end but nice to go home." -- McGirt, who finished 26th in the Tour Championship, ended the year 34th on the money list with $173,444 but earned his way to the PGA Tour by finishing second in qualifying school.