The Gateway Tour is a third-level men's professional golf tour headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...

 that runs tournaments in Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, and Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

. The top level of men's professional golf in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 is the PGA Tour

PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...

. The second level is the Nationwide Tour

Nationwide Tour

The Nationwide Tour is the developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, and features professional golfers who have either failed to score well enough at that level's Qualifying School to earn their PGA Tour card, or who have done so but then failed to win enough money to stay at that level...

, which is the official developmental tour run by the PGA Tour. The Gateway Tour and rival ventures such as the NGA Pro Golf Tour

NGA Pro Golf Tour

The National Golf Association Pro Golf Tour is a developmental men's professional golf tour in the United States. It includes approximately twenty 72-hole Pro Series events and three 54-hole Qualifying School Prep Series events each year throughout the US South and Midwest. The NGA Pro Golf Tour...

 are the level below that. The fourth and lowest level of tour golf is the mini-tour circuit.

The Gateway Tour was founded in 2001 by former Arizona State All-American golfer Chris Stutts. The first season had 14 tournaments and paid out US$ 2.4 million in prize money. By 2006 it had expanded to 59 tournaments with a pay-out of $7.2 million. The prize money is partly funded by the players' entry fees. It is not possible to play in all the tournaments as some of them run concurrently.

The West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach, Florida

West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...

 series in Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

 originated as the Golden Bear Tour

Golden Bear Tour

The Golden Bear Tour was an American third-tier professional golf tour.The tour existed from 1996 through 2005, when it purchased by the Gateway Tour. It was run by the 'Golden Bear', golfing legend Jack Nicklaus....

, which the Gateway Tour purchased in March 2005. The regular tournaments are 54-hole events, and the four Series Championships are played over 72 holes. There is also a 72-hole Tour Championship for the top players in all four Series.

The sporting aim of the Tour is to help players to win a place on the Nationwide Tour, or to jump directly to the PGA Tour. The tour's board of advisors includes Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson

Philip Alfred Mickelson is an American professional golfer. He has won four major championships and a total of 39 events on the PGA Tour. He has reached a career high world ranking of 2nd in multiple years. He is nicknamed "Lefty" for his left-handed swing, even though he is otherwise right-handed...

 and Tom Lehman

Tom Lehman

Thomas Edward Lehman is an American professional golfer.Lehman was born in Austin, Minnesota, but Alexandria, Minnesota is credited as his official Minnesota hometown. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Business/Accounting and turned professional in 1982. It took...

. In 2006 Gateway Tour players earned 10 PGA Tour and 15 fully exempt Nationwide Tour cards. Tour alumni include Sean O'Hair

Sean O'Hair

Sean M. O'Hair is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Early life:O'Hair was born in Lubbock, Texas...

, Notah Begay III

Notah Begay III

Notah Ryan Begay III is an American professional golfer. He is the only full-blooded American Indian golfer on the PGA Tour. He is currently an analyst with the Golf Channel.-Amateur career:...

, J. B. Holmes

J. B. Holmes

John Bradley "J.B." Holmes is an American professional golfer.-Early life:Holmes was born in Campbellsville, the seat of Taylor County, in central Kentucky. Holmes began to play on the varsity golf team at Taylor County High School in Campbellsville when he was in the third grade. He suffered a...

, Steve Marino

Steve Marino

Stephen Paul Marino, Jr. is an American professional golfer, a member of the PGA Tour since 2007.-Early life, education, early golf:...

, Kevin Stadler

Kevin Stadler

Kevin Stadler is an American professional golfer.Stadler was born in Reno, Nevada, and is the son of former Masters champion and 13-time winner on the PGA Tour, Craig Stadler. He moved with his family to Denver, Colorado, where he attended Kent Denver School, excelling on the school's golf team...

, and Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson

Gerry "Bubba" Watson is an American professional golfer. Watson is one of the few left-handed golfers on tour and is known for his tremendous length. The longest driver on the PGA Tour, in 2007 he had an average drive of 315.2 yards and is capable of generating a ball speed of 194 mph, being...

.

Overall money leaders

Year	Money leader	Events played	Earnings ($ United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies.... )
2010	Eric Meierdierks	22	71,793.33
2009	Charlie Beljan	27	159,179.90
2008	Jesse Mueller	26	171,167.95
2007	Ryan Dillon	28	134,132.49