Posted
online: April 19, 2004 1:14 PM
Print publication date: April 16, 2004
By Tom Johnston, tjohnston@qconline.com
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The Quad-Cities' amateur golf circuit is going to have a new look this year -- as you can tell by the new logo accompanying this story. The circuit also has a new name -- The National City Bank Amateur Tour-- that more prominently features the title sponsor.
There are plenty of other modifications, too, as organizers continue to tweak the ingredients for a tastier finished product. Among those are the big prize to the season-long Player of the Year and a few changes to the schedule.
No longer will the top amateurs be shooting for a sponsor's exemption into the annual PGA Tour's John Deere Classic, a remarkable prize that had gone to the tour's Player of the Year. That enticement was no longer viable, according to JDC officials, despite 2003 Player of the Year Tyler Swanson becoming the first QC amateur player to make the 36-hole cut in the JDC that is played at TPC at Deere Run.
But those on the board of directors of the National City Bank Amateur Tourhope to get the message out that there is still plenty to play for and they hope that more golfers find out first-hand what the National City Bank Amateur Tour is all about.
``We had 94 paying members last year,'' said Chris Wilkins, chairman of the NCBAT board. ``We would like to continue to grow. There never becomes a number we can't manage. ... We'd like to get to 100 or 125 members this year.''
With that in mind, the organizers want to get out a simple message to the public and those within an hour drive of the Quad-Cities who are eligible to play on the NCB Am Tour.
``We're trying to change the image of what we are all about,'' said Wilkins. ``The tour isn't just for the scratch handicapper; it's for all levels of player.''
Board members also want to be clear that while the top dozen or so players are usually battling to win the championship flight honors, that there are plenty of other prizes, and bragging rights, to be won.
``It's not just championship golf,'' said Bruce Sandry. ``There are A, B and C flights and it's an opportunity for guys to get the competitive juices flowing, play golf by the rules and win some great merchandise.''
``It's also a great way for guys to meet new people and make new acquaintances,'' said Dave Waugh, another NCBAT board member.
While those top players will no longer be directly playing for a spot in the 156-man JDC field as they have the past six or so years, that doesn't mean there aren't any incentives out there. In fact, two players will be playing for the chance to play in the PGA Tour event to be contested July 5-11. This year, the top two on the NCBAT points list will have their entry fee into the JDC four-spotter qualifying tournament covered.
Clair Peterson, JDC tournament director, would have loved to continue with the exemption for the area's top amateur golfer. But there were a few concerns he had in how that player would be determined now that the PGA event is played in early July (5-11 this year at TPC Deere Run in Silvis).
``I know we're disappointed, and they're disappointed that we couldn't keep that going,'' said Peterson. ``Philosophically, I like the idea of recognizing the amateur's accomplishments.''
And there are plenty of accomplishments to be recognized in the eight weekly
events that will be played throughout the summer, culminating in early
September with the Tour Championship and the Hasley
Cup competition. The Hasley Cup mirrors the Ryder Cup
format and pits the top season-long NCBAT players from
Membership for the National City Bank Amateur Tour is $50 and that allows a player's points won in each event to be tracked for the season. It is off those points that Player of the Year will be determined and Hasley Cup rosters picked.
For further information on the NCB Am Tour, go to www.qcamtour.com.