NEWS

Toughest Courses on the Nationwide Tour
 
Nov. 28, 2007
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2007 Nationwide Tour: Toughest Holes | Lowest Rounds

The Nationwide Tour played on 34 different courses in 2007 -- these are the five that proved to be the toughest tests during the 10-month season.

No. 1: The Course at Wente Vineyards
Tournament: Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship
Omar Uresti Winner: Omar Uresti, Even Par Par 72, 7,185 Yards Average: 75.235 Birdies: 967
 Pars: 4,482
 Bogeys: 1,561 Other: 330
Summary: Fast, firm and windy conditions at the picturesque Course at Wente Vineyards this week resulted in the cumulative scoring average soaring to 75.235 -- the highest on Tour since a 75.421 average at the 2002 Monterey Peninsula Classic (Bayonet Course). It was the second straight year the course has ranked as the Tour's toughest layout.
No. 2: Cliffs at Walnut Cove
Tournament: BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs
Nick Flanagan Winner: Nick Flanagan, 15 under Par 71, 7,278 Yards Average: 73.790 Birdies: 445
 Pars: 1,743
 Bogeys: 702 Other: 122

Summary: The BMW Charity Pro-Am at the Cliffs was contested at three courses and the Walnut Cove course is easily the tougher of the three. Players played one round at Walnut Cove, and it was a test of survival. Winner Nick Flanagan shot a one-over 72 in his only round at Walnut Cove. Leading money winner Richard Johnson, who finished fourth, managed to scorch Walnut Cove with a one-bogey, four-birdie 66 on Friday.
No. 3: The OSU Golf Club
Tournament: Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational
Daniel Summerhays Winner: Daniel Summerhays, 6 under Par 71, 7,455 Yards Average: 73.179 Birdies: 1,043
 Pars: 4,711
 Bogeys: 1,599 Other: 185
Summary: The inaugural Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational was a tough test for the Nationwide Tour regulars. Daniel Summerhays became the first amateur to win on the Nationwide Tour, shooting a smooth 69 in the final round to defeat an elite field by two shots. The first-year tournament carried a $700,000 purse, one of the largest on tour. After the win at the classic, tree-lined course, Summerhays turned professional, scoring two top-10s in 13 subsequent Nationwide starts.
No. 4: Panama Golf Club
Tournament: Movistar Panama Championship
Miguel Carballo Winner: Miguel Carballo, 6 under Par 70, 7,066 Yards Average: 71.967 Birdies: 1,044
 Pars: 4,350
 Bogeys: 1,414 Other: 186
Summary: Carballo (65) wrapped up the Tour's season-opening event at 5-under-par 65, wiping out a five-stroke deficit at the start of the day to third-round leader Marc Turnesa (73). Stiff winds and firm fairways led to a stern challenge this week at what is annually ranked as one of the Tour's toughest courses. Scores were more reminiscent of a major championship than a Nationwide Tour event, with Carballo using his experience in similar conditions to top the mostly American field.
No. 5: Irondequoit Country Club
Tournament: Xerox Classic
Nick Flanagan Winner: Nick Flanagan, 10 under Par 70, 6,720 Yards Average: 71.645 Birdies: 1,232
 Pars: 4,875
 Bogeys: 1,565 Other: 201
Summary: On one of the shortest courses on the Nationwide Tour, winner Nick Flanagan shot a 63 to win by one shot over James Driscoll, who fell to a 71 in the final round. The win earned Flanagan his PGA TOUR card. Flanagan won after draining a 30-foot putt for birdie on the 72nd hole of the tournament. Only 19 players finished the event under par.