Columnist Peter Benton: Nationwide to replace Buy.Com on PGA ladder

Peter Benton

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 | 9:17 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

One of the country's largest insurance and financial service organizations and the PGA Tour have entered into a five-year partnership.

Beginning in 2003, Nationwide will become the umbrella sponsor for what currently is known as the Buy.Com Tour.

The Tour's new name, logo, brand positioning, schedule, purse levels and other details will be unveiled later.

The Buy.Com Tour began in 1990 as the Ben Hogan Tour and later was renamed the Nike Tour. This year's tour consists of 28 events in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with purses totalling $12 million. The top 15 players each season qualify for the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour fields frequently consist of more than 50 percent former Buy.Com Tour players. In addition, former players have gone on to win 114 PGA Tour titles, including 12 this year. Prominent alumni include John Daly, Chris DiMarco, David Duval, Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman, Jeff Maggert and David Toms.

These 54-hole stroke play events are limited to the first 100 entries and have a $190 entrance fee.

Competitors must be members of the Women's Southern or Northern Nevada Golf Associations and have a handicap of 36 or less.

For further information call 458-4653 or visit the NSWGA website at www.nevadawomensgolf.org.