Week 17 Power Rankings: N'wide Children's Hospital

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Editor's note: Adam Wallace is a media assistant for the Nationwide Tour. Each week, Wallace will size up the field and provide his top five players going into the tournament, based on factors such as the player's strengths, the course setup, recent performances, etc. | POWER RANKINGS: Buick Open | U.S. Senior Open

The Nationwide Tour heads to Columbus, Ohio, for the third annual Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational. Columbus is also the home of the Tour's umbrella sponsor, Nationwide.

The Ohio State University Golf Club, Scarlet course (par-71), is one of the longest and most difficult courses these guys play all year. In 2007, Scarlet was the second longest on Tour, reaching 7,455 yards, and was the third toughest of the 34 courses played, averaging 73.17. Last year, it was the fourth longest and fifth most difficult of the 33 courses played, averaging 72.65.

Despite the difficulty, the Scarlet course saw more pars last year than any other course on Tour (5,142). Unfortunately, it also saw the second most amount of bogeys (1,585).

In 2007, Daniel Summerhays outlasted 144 professionals to become the first amateur to win a Nationwide Tour event. Summerhays turned professional later in the season and is currently a Nationwide Tour member.

Last year, Bill Lunde chipped in for birdie on the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Dustin Bray. Lunde went on to finish No. 5 on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list to earn his 2009 PGA TOUR card.

Power Rankings: Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational

Rank Player   Comment Michael SIM After a few weeks off, he was right back in it last week. A final-round 70 left him with a T5, but there were no signs of rust. He's No. 1 in putting, total driving and all-around. A win would put his '09 earnings over $500,000 -- a new Tour record. Brent DELAHOUSSAYE He played his way into the field this week with a third in Omaha. He has played five '09 events, making every cut, and is 47th in money. He leads the Tour in greens in regulation. A win this week would secure his Tour card for '09 and '10. Bubba DICKERSON After winning the Chitimacha Louisiana Open in March, Bubba struggled to keep the fire going. It appears Dickerson has found a spark, though; he's made two cuts in a row and finished in the top-25 both times. Blake ADAMS Adams is one of the most consistent players on Tour. He's made the last five cuts, finishing outside the top 15 just once. First in driving distance and second in overall driving, he has only shot over par once in the last five events. Matt EVERY Every started the year with a few top-25s jumbled between some missed cuts. He hasn't had a missed cut in six events, and he's posted a T12 and T5. Last week at the Cox Classic, he opened with a 9-under round of 62.