NGA Pro Golf Tour
Encyclopedia
The National Golf Association Pro Golf Tour (formerly the NGA Hooters 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 is a private company founded by T.C. "Rick" Jordan in 1988 and later sold to Hooters
restaurant chain owner Robert H. Brooks
in 1994. Hooters was the title sponsor from 1988 thru 2011. The Tour is owned by the Brooks estate. The Tour is headquartered in Longs, South Carolina
. The NGA Pro Golf Tour predates the PGA Tour owned Nationwide Tour as the longest running developmental tour in the United States.
. The second-tier Nationwide Tour
offers prizes smaller than the PGA Tour but attracts many up-and-coming golfers trying to obtain their PGA Tour cards. The Champions Tour
, which is restricted to competitors over aged 50 or older, has prize levels between the PGA and Nationwide Tours. The NGA Pro Golf Tour is the third largest tour in the US after the PGA and Nationwide Tours.
In 2012 The NGA Pro Golf Tour's top members on the season ending points list will once again get their PGA Tour Qualifying School fees reimbursed.
The 2012 schedule features 32 events; 18 Pro Series events with guaranteed purses of $150,000 to $200,000 in guaranteed prize funds and one Members Only Shootout, three Q School Prep Series events, and 10 Carolina events with estimated purses of $132,000 each. This is approximately one-fifth of the prize money available on the second-tier Nationwide Tour, which has over thirty events with prize pools of $525,000 to $1,000,000, and little more than twelve percent of that on the PGA Tour, which has forty-seven events with an average prize pool over $6.3 million dollars per event.
The NGA Pro Golf Tour has helped Hundreds of players acquire PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour cards, more than any other developmental tour, because the NGA Pro Golf Tour events mirror PGA and Nationwide Tour events. Like the PGA and Nationwide Tours, NGA Pro Golf Tour players may not use electronic distance measuring devices, must wear long pants, walk (no carts), follow the same strict play and scoring rules, and exhibit professional conduct both on and off the course.
winners:
Other golfers who have won at least one PGA Tour event:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It includes approximately twenty 72-hole Pro Series events and three 54-hole Qualifying School
Qualifying school
In professional golf the term qualifying school is used for the annual qualifying tournaments for leading golf tours such as the U.S. based PGA and LPGA Tours and the European Tour. A fixed number of players in the event win membership of the tour for the following season, otherwise known as a...
Prep Series events each year throughout the US South and Midwest. The NGA Pro Golf Tour is a private company founded by T.C. "Rick" Jordan in 1988 and later sold to Hooters
Hooters
Hooters is the trade name of two privately held American restaurant chains: Hooters of America, Incorporated, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Hooters, Incorporated, based in Clearwater, Florida...
restaurant chain owner Robert H. Brooks
Robert H. Brooks
Robert H. Brooks was founder of Naturally Fresh, Inc. in 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia, and later created the Hooters of America restaurant chain in the mid-1980s.-Early life and career:...
in 1994. Hooters was the title sponsor from 1988 thru 2011. The Tour is owned by the Brooks estate. The Tour is headquartered in Longs, South Carolina
Longs, South Carolina
Longs is a small unincorporated community in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. It lies about 14 miles northwest of North Myrtle Beach, located at the intersection of S.C. 9 and S.C. 905...
. The NGA Pro Golf Tour predates the PGA Tour owned Nationwide Tour as the longest running developmental tour in the United States.
Positioning
Three men's pro golf tours based in the United States pay out more in prize money than the NGA Pro Golf Tour. The richest competition is in the highest-paying PGA TourPGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
. The second-tier 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...
offers prizes smaller than the PGA Tour but attracts many up-and-coming golfers trying to obtain their PGA Tour cards. The Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
, which is restricted to competitors over aged 50 or older, has prize levels between the PGA and Nationwide Tours. The NGA Pro Golf Tour is the third largest tour in the US after the PGA and Nationwide Tours.
Prize money
Unlike the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour, for which prize funds are provided by sponsors, the bulk of the prize fund paid out in NGA Pro Golf Tour events comes from player entry fees. Like poker tournaments, players are competing to win back their entry fees (and the entry fees from others). However, thanks in part to national sponsorship, the NGA Pro Golf Tour players actually play for over 110% of their entry fees, while other developmental tours typically pay back only 80-90% of entry fees. In 2011 the total prize fund was over $5.7 million dollars, the leading money winner, Brandon Brown (Shelbyville, KY), had earnings of $150,864. Jeff Corr (Longwood, FL) earned $142,545, Philip Pettitt Jr (Murfreesboro, TN) earned $ 111,109 while 16 others made $50,000 or more. The NGA Pro Golf Tour paid PGA Tour Qualifying School entry fees for 33 players (Typically $4500 per person) in 2011. In 2011 the NGA Pro Golf Tour received 6 exemptions into individual Nationwide Tour events and one exemption into the annual Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Tournament.In 2012 The NGA Pro Golf Tour's top members on the season ending points list will once again get their PGA Tour Qualifying School fees reimbursed.
The 2012 schedule features 32 events; 18 Pro Series events with guaranteed purses of $150,000 to $200,000 in guaranteed prize funds and one Members Only Shootout, three Q School Prep Series events, and 10 Carolina events with estimated purses of $132,000 each. This is approximately one-fifth of the prize money available on the second-tier Nationwide Tour, which has over thirty events with prize pools of $525,000 to $1,000,000, and little more than twelve percent of that on the PGA Tour, which has forty-seven events with an average prize pool over $6.3 million dollars per event.
Tournament structure
Each Pro Series event on the NGA Pro Golf Tour follows the same structure. Entry fees range from $750 to $1400, depending on Tour membership, amateur status, and if one plays in the qualifier. A field of 156 to 168 players start on Thursday, playing one round of 18 holes each day. After two rounds, the top 55 to 65 players and ties continue on to the third and fourth round of play. Players that make the second-round cut are in the money, which ranges (approximately) from $1000 to $30,000. The fields are first filled by exempt members of the Tour. Most years the top 120 points leaders from the previous year are granted exempt status. Any player may request one of limited number of exemptions granted each year. A player will usually be granted exemption by good performance in previous years (e.g. by being one of the highest money winners in the previous season), by having a successful professional career elsewhere and looking to move up to the Hooters Tour, or by having an outstanding amateur career. Exempt status can also be earned by performing well during one of the four ranking schools held by the Tour each winter. Only the top 10-15% of players from the ranking school are fully exempt; the rest gain exempt status partway through the season. Ten players from a qualifier played the Monday before the event are also granted entry; less than ten if there are fewer than 16 players in the qualifier, but more players if there are open spots in the field. More detailed information on events, membership, etc. can be found in the Player's Handbook http://ngahooterstour.com/pro/handbook.html.The NGA Pro Golf Tour has helped Hundreds of players acquire PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour cards, more than any other developmental tour, because the NGA Pro Golf Tour events mirror PGA and Nationwide Tour events. Like the PGA and Nationwide Tours, NGA Pro Golf Tour players may not use electronic distance measuring devices, must wear long pants, walk (no carts), follow the same strict play and scoring rules, and exhibit professional conduct both on and off the course.
Additional series
The NGA Pro Golf Tour also runs a winter called The Bridgestone Winter Series featuring 12 events and located in Central Florida, a Carolinas Winter Series played in Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as a summertime Carolina Series featuring 14 events located mainly in Charlotte, NC & Myrtle Beach, SC.Former players on the NGA Hooters Tour
Major championshipMen's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
winners:
- Keegan BradleyKeegan BradleyKeegan Bradley is an American professional golfer who is a rookie on the PGA Tour. He has won two tour events, most notably the 2011 PGA Championship...
- 2011 PGA Championship - Stewart CinkStewart CinkStewart Ernest Cink is an American professional golfer who won the 2009 Open Championship. He has spent over 40 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 2004 to 2009.-Early years and education:...
– 2009 British Open - Lucas GloverLucas GloverLucas Hendley Glover is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. He is best known for winning the 2009 U.S. Open.-Amateur career:...
– 2009 U.S. Open - Ben CurtisBen Curtis (golfer)Ben Clifford Curtis is an American professional golfer best known for winning the 2003 Open Championship.-Early career:Curtis was born in Columbus, Ohio and grew up in Ostrander, Ohio. His family runs the , also in Ostrander...
– 2003 British Open - John DalyJohn Daly (golfer)John Patrick Daly is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour.Daly is known primarily for his driving distance off the tee , his non-country club appearance and attitude, and his rough-and-tumble personal life. Daly remains one of the most popular and intriguing figures on the PGA Tour...
– 1991 PGA, 1995 British Open - Jim FurykJim FurykJames Michael Furyk is an American professional golfer, 2010 FedEx Cup champion, and 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year. He has won one major championship, the 2003 U.S. Open. Furyk is known for consistently playing at the top level and for a visibly unconventional, looping golf swing...
– 2003 U.S. Open - Lee JanzenLee JanzenLee McLeod Janzen is an American golfer who is best known for twice winning the U.S. Open, in 1993 and 1998.-Early years and amateur career:...
– 1993 & 1998 U.S. Open - Tom LehmanTom LehmanThomas 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...
– 1996 British Open - Shaun MicheelShaun MicheelShaun Carl Micheel is an American golfer who is best known for his surprise victory in 2003 in one of golf's major championships, the PGA Championship....
– 2003 PGA Championship - David TomsDavid TomsDavid Wayne Toms is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He has won a total of thirteen events on the PGA Tour including the 2001 PGA Championship...
– 2001 PGA Championship - Zach JohnsonZach JohnsonZach Johnson is an American golfer, winner of the 2007 Masters Tournament.Zach Johnson may also refer to:* Zack "Jick" Johnson, one of the creators of Kingdom of Loathing* Zachary Johnson, former drummer for The Fray...
– 2007 Masters Champion - Keegan BradleyKeegan BradleyKeegan Bradley is an American professional golfer who is a rookie on the PGA Tour. He has won two tour events, most notably the 2011 PGA Championship...
– 2011 PGA Championship - Brittany LincicomeBrittany LincicomeBrittany Grace Lincicome is an American professional golfer playing on the LPGA Tour. She currently resides in Seminole, Florida....
- 2009 Kraft Nabisco Championship - Paula CreamerPaula CreamerPaula Creamer is an American professional golfer on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour. As a professional, she has won 11 tournaments, including 9 LPGA Tour events. Creamer has been as high as number 2 in the Women's World Golf Rankings. She was the 2010 U.S...
- 2010 US Women's Open
Other golfers who have won at least one PGA Tour event:
- Gary WoodlandGary Woodland-Early life:Woodland was born in Topeka, Kansas, and attended Shawnee Heights High School in the suburb of Tecumseh. After high school, he attended Washburn University on a basketball scholarship, but left after his freshman year to take up a golf scholarship at University of Kansas...
- Bubba WatsonBubba WatsonGerry "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...
- Camilo VillegasCamilo VillegasCamilo Villegas is a Colombian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and the European Tour.-Early years:Villegas was born in Medellín, Colombia, and took up golf as a child...
- Scott StallingsScott StallingsScott Stallings is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Stallings was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He attended Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and was an all-state golfer and a four-year member of the Dean's List...
- Chad CampbellChad CampbellDavid Chad Campbell is an American professional golfer.-Early years and amateur career:Campbell was born in Andrews, Texas and grew up in west Texas. He was a member of a strong junior college men's golf squad during the years he played at Midland College...
- Spike McRoySpike McRoyRobert Lynn "Spike" McRoy, Jr. is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.-Early years and education:...
- Vaughn TaylorVaughn TaylorVaughn Joseph Taylor is an American golfer who turned professional in 1999.Taylor was born in Roanoke, Virginia but was raised in Augusta, Georgia from infancy. After attending Hephzibah High School, he played golf for Augusta State University where he was an honorable mention All-American his...
- Will MacKenzieWill MacKenzieWilliam Ruggles MacKenzie is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour.MacKenzie was born and raised in Greenville, North Carolina. He was a golfing prodigy growing up but burned out on golf at age 14 and completely quit the game after high school...
- Eric AxleyEric AxleyEric Allen Axley is an American professional golfer.Axley was born in Athens, Tennessee. He turned professional in 1997.In 2006, Axley won the Valero Texas Open, claiming his first PGA Tour win...
- Mark WilsonMark Wilson (golfer)Mark Joseph Wilson is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.Wilson was born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and currently resides in Elmhurst, Illinois.-Professional career:...
- Boo WeekleyBoo WeekleyThomas Brent "Boo" Weekley is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.Weekley was born in Milton, Florida. He turned professional in 1997 and played on mini-tours until 2002, when he qualified for the PGA Tour. He made the cut in only five of 24 events that year, and lost his...
- Craig PerksCraig PerksCraig William Perks is a professional golfer from New Zealand who played on the PGA Tour.Perks was born in Palmerston North. He played college golf at University of Oklahoma and University of Southwestern Louisiana in the United States. He turned professional in 1993 and played on the second tier...
- Wes Short, Jr.Wes Short, Jr.Wesley Earl Short, Jr. is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.Short was born, raised and has lived his entire life in Austin, Texas. He attended the University of Texas. He is married to Gail Elizabeth Hardy. They have one daughter together,...
- Parker McLachlinParker McLachlinParker Nicholas McLachlin is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.McLachlin was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from Punahou School in 1997 and UCLA in 2002 with a degree in sociology....
- Chris Riley
- Joe DurantJoe DurantJoseph Scott Durant is an American professional golfer.Durant was born in Pensacola, Florida. He attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, where he majored in Marketing and graduated in 1987. At Huntingdon, he was a three-time NAIA All-American and won the 1987 NAIA Championship.Durant...
- Steve FleschSteve FleschStephen J. Flesch is an American professional golfer, competing on the PGA Tour.Flesch was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky. After graduation he played golf at the University of Kentucky and turned professional in 1990.Flesch finished in...
- Jerry KellyJerry KellyJerome Patrick Kelly is an American professional golfer.Kelly was born in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Hartford in 1989 and turned professional later that year, but didn't make it onto the PGA Tour until 1996. This followed a successful 1995 season on the second tier...
- Steve LowerySteve LoweryStephen Brent Lowery is an American professional golfer.Lowery was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He has PGA Tour victories in 1994, 2000 and 2008. All three of his victories on the PGA Tour have come in playoffs....
Combined money leaders
| Year | Money leader | (US$ 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.... ) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Brandon Brown | 150,864 |
| 2010 | Michael Thompson Michael Thompson (golfer) Michael H. Thompson is an American professional golfer who is currently on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Thompson attended University High School in Tucson, Arizona from 1999 to 2003. While there he won the Class 4A state team championship in 2003, and was named the Arizona High School State Player... |
111,817 |
| 2009 | Ted Potter, Jr. Ted Potter, Jr. Ted Potter, Jr. is an American professional golfer from Silver Springs, Florida.Potter was born in Ocala, Florida. He graduated, class of 2002, from Lake Weir High School in southeastern Marion County, Florida. Potter is currently a member of the Nationwide Tour. He is a left-handed golfer, but... |
202,517 |
| 2008 | David Skinns David Skinns David Skinns is an English professional golfer.Skinns was born in Lincoln, England. He attended the University of Tennessee and majored in psychology.... |
134,809 |
| 2007 | Casey Wittenberg Casey Wittenberg Casey Wittenberg is an American professional golfer who had a successful amateur career.Wittenberg was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He played collegiately at Oklahoma State University. He lost to Nick Flanagan in the finals of the 2003 U.S. Amateur.In 2004, he finished 13th at the Masters... |
122,881 |
| 2006 | Ted Potter, Jr. Ted Potter, Jr. Ted Potter, Jr. is an American professional golfer from Silver Springs, Florida.Potter was born in Ocala, Florida. He graduated, class of 2002, from Lake Weir High School in southeastern Marion County, Florida. Potter is currently a member of the Nationwide Tour. He is a left-handed golfer, but... |
102,609 |
| 2005 | Dave Schreyer Dave Schreyer Dave Schreyer is an American professional golfer.Schreyer was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Huntingdon College.... |
86,682 |