Nationwide suspense builds at WNB
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2008 WNB Golf Classic | Preview | 07 Oct 2008
The final three full field events of the 2008 Nationwide Tour season begin this week at the WNB Classic at the Midland Golf Club in Midland in west Texas. After a break of two weeks, the Tour will play this event followed by the Chattanooga Classic, the Miccosukee Championship in Florida and finally the limited field Tour Championship in Dallas.
The event was given a new name in 2007 after being known as the Permian Basin Open or Classic since its inaugural staging in 1992. The Midland Country Club was built in 1954 and designed by the prolific Texan, Ralph Plummer.
Most of the leading contenders on this year’s money list are in the field the notable exception being Greg Owen who is currently in 5th position.
The most significant contest this week is the battle for a place inside the top 25, who will gain access to the PGA Tour after the Tour Championship in early November.
There are many other tournaments within tournaments over the next few weeks however, including the race for the number one position, which earns a higher category on next year’s PGA Tour.
There’s also the race for the top 60 who will earn a start at the Tour Championship, the top 60 who are guaranteed full status in season 2009, those from 26th – 40th who will avoid Stage Two Q-School, and so it goes on.
Australasians are in abundance this week in Midland. Jarrod Lyle (2nd on the money list), Greg Chalmers (6th), Aron Price (20th), Ewan Porter (32nd), Marc Leishman (56th), Cameron Percy (60th), David McKenzie (64th,) Won Joon Lee (69th), Scott Gardiner (84th), Brad Iles (89th), Wade Ormsby (93rd), Kim Felton (103rd) Grant Waite (104th) and Paul Gow (114th) Andrew Bonhomme (203rd) and Steve Bowditch (231st) all have varying reasons to play well.
