Nationwide Tour Players Cup

BRIDGEPORT, W. Va.--Three of West Virginia's best golfers have been given sponsors' exemptions to compete in this years inaugural Pete Dye West Virginia Classic, a new PGA TOUR-sanctioned event on the Nationwide Tour to be held July 15-18 at the Pete Dye Sporting Club in Bridgeport, W. Va.

Pat Carter, Barry Evans, and Brad Westfall will compete with Nationwide Tour players, including Casey Martin.

"This is just another fantastic opportunity to showcase the state of West Virginia.  These guys are three of our best, and we felt that it was crucial to make sure our best golfers have an opportunity to compete.  How exciting would it be to see one of them holding up the winner's check on The Golf Channel on championship Sunday?" said Tournament Director Tim McNeely.

Carter is a 10-time winner of the West Virginia Amateur Championship and was named as a Top 20 amateur by Golfweek magazine.  Carter finished as a runner-up to Brad Westfall in the 2003 West Virginia Open and was named 2003 West Virginia Golf Association Player of the Year.  Carter was also a quarter-finalist in the 2003 United States Amateur Championships held at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa.

Shooting a 5-under 208, Westfall won his second consecutive and fifth overall West Virginia Open Championship last year.  From 2000-2003, Westfall has been named the West Virginia PGA Player of the Year.  Additionally, Westfall is a previous winner of the Tri-State Open and the Frank Fuhren Invitational.  Westfall is the head professional at Tygart Lake Golf Course in Grafton, W. Va.

Evans is the head professional at Berry Hills Country Club in Charleston, W. Va.  As the winner of the 2002 PGA Club Professional Championship, he earned an automatic berth in the 2002 PGA Championship.  Evans became the second Tri-State Section Championship in 1998 and again last year.

"I am thrilled to be invited to play," commented Evans.  "This is an opportunity to compete against some of the game's best competition.  I've been playing well as of late and am anxious to get out there and see what happens."

Danny Fisher, executive director of the West Virginia Golf Association, is pleased with the selections.  "There are a lot of worthy players that they had to consider, so I'm sure it was a tough decision.  Nevertheless, Pat, Barry and Brad are three of the best golfers in this state.  All three of these guys are competitive and very deserving of this opportunity."

PGA TOUR officials will announce the remainder of the tournament field prior to the event.  For more information about the tournament, volunteer opportunities and sponsorships, please visit www.petedyeclassic.com or call (304) 848-2027.