Oct. 27, 2009
With the conclusion of the 2009 Nationwide Tour season at the Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island, won by Matt Every, the top 25 players on the money list have received PGA TOUR cards for the 2010 season. Get to know this year's graduating class.
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| 1. Michael Sim |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Aberdeen, Scotland
Residence: Perth, Australia
College: N/A
Age: 25
Final money list position: 1
Season bests: Three wins (Stonebrae Classic, BMW Charity Pro-Am and Christmas In October)
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 29 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T7 at the 2008 Frys.com Open.
Quote: "My goal next year is to win a PGA TOUR event. I'm probably going to take a slightly different attitude next year as opposed to what I did in 2007. I feel like I can win out there after having a year like I did this year. In 2007, I didn't give myself a good shot at it. I was coming off an injury. I feel like I'm a better player now. I can handle being in contention."
"The Nationwide Tour does a great job of developing a lot of great players. It's the perfect place to test your game and see where you're at. It has great courses, towns and does a lot for charity."
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| 2. Chad Collins |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Ind.
Residence: Cloverdale, Ind.
College: Methodist College
Age: 31
Final money list position: 2
Season bests: Won Miccosukee Championship, five other top-10s
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 25 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T11 at the 2008 U.S. Bank Championship
Quote: "A ton of great players have moved on to the PGA TOUR from the Nationwide Tour. The quality of the players coming off the Nationwide Tour is unreal. To be in the top 25 is everyone's goal out here, and I'm going to try and make the most of it. Ever since I lost my card last year, I've dreamed of getting back out there. As a rookie, I got stunned because of all the fans and media attention. This time around, I think I'm better at blocking that stuff out. I learned that I need to get out there early in the day and in the week to get my work done, kind of like the early bird gets the worm."
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| 3. Blake Adams |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Bartlesville, Okla.
Residence: Eatonton, Ga.
College: Georgia Southern
Age: 34
Final money list position: 3
Season bests: Notched eight top-10 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: None
Quote: "I've worked extremely hard to get where I am today and I'm certainly proud of myself and looking forward to next year on the PGA TOUR. I think the thing I'm looking forward to most is playing the courses I saw the pros play on TV back when I was a kid. Every kid that grows up watching golf dreams to someday play those courses in a competitive environment. I'm fortunate those dreams are coming true."
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| 4. Derek Lamely |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Belleville, Ill.
Residence: Fort Myers, Fla.
College: McNeese State
Age: 29
Final money list position: 4
Season bests: Won Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational, five top-10 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in four PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T13 in 2009 Puerto Rico Open.
Quote: "I'm excited about what's coming up and I'm sure all of us in the top 25 feel the same way. It's the pinnacle of golf. Of all the people that play golf around the world, there is such a small number of people that ever get to play in a single PGA TOUR event, but to have the opportunity to play a full year out there will be incredible."
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| 5. Tom Gillis |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Pontiac, Mich.
Residence: Oxford, Mich.
College: Oakland Community College
Age: 41
Final money list position: 5
Season bests: One win (Nationwide Tour Players Cup) and eight top-10 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 69 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T7 at the 2003 FBR Capital Open.
Quote: "The Nationwide Tour doesn't get the credit it deserves. The track record for the alumni speaks for itself. I had an awesome year out here, I played consistent and I'm using it as a stepping stone for next year on the PGA TOUR. There are a lot of similarities between the two tours but I'm definitely looking forward to playing the courses on the PGA TOUR."
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| 6. Chris Tidland |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Torrance, Calif.
Residence: Stillwater, Okla.
College: Oklahoma State University
Age: 37
Final money list position: 6
Season bests: Won Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open, six other top-10s
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 60 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T6 at the 2007 AT&T Classic.
Quote: "It's been great out here. I've been tested twice on the PGA TOUR and basically failed both times and so it's great to have a place like this Tour to come back to and play against great competition on a weekly basis. This Tour has helped me grow my game and helped me see how I feel under pressure and how my game holds up and hopefully this time out I'll handle it better."
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| 7. Josh Teater |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Danville, Ky.
Residence: Lexington, Ky.
College: Morehead State University
Age: 30
Final money list position: 7
Season bests: Won Utah Championship, nine other top-25s
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in one PGA TOUR event (2005 Deutsche Bank Championship/MC)
Quote: "What can I say that hasn't already been said. This Tour is just like the PGA TOUR in terms of great golf courses and amazing talent. The only difference I can see is the prize money. I firmly believe that there is no other tour in the world that can prepare you for the PGA TOUR the way the Nationwide Tour does."
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| 8. Cameron Percy |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Chelsea, Victoria, Australia
Residence: Dingley, Victoria, Australia
College: N/A
Age: 35
Final money list position: 8
Season bests: Notched seven top-10 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 53 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T14 at the 2004 BellSouth Classic.
Quote: "Last year, my advisors and I thought about what would benefit me the most, Q-school or the Nationwide Tour. We decided that a year's worth of experience and traveling outweighs trying to catch lightning in a bottle during the one week of Q-School and going to the PGA TOUR unprepared. The most important thing to me is not making sure I get to the PGA TOUR, but making sure that when I get there that I am going to stay there. I feel this prepared me for doing exactly that."
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| 9. Roger Tambellini |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Residence: Scottsdale, Ariz.
College: University of Southern California
Age: 34
Final money list position: 9
Season bests: Won Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic, four other top-10s
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 53 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T14 at the 2004 BellSouth Classic.
Quote: "The Nationwide Tour is full of talent and aggressive players. This year I learned how to practice, and how much, so that when I step onto the first tee I am looking for birdies. Everyone says the Nationwide Tour is just like the PGA TOUR but on a smaller scale and that statement couldn't be more true."
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| 10. Matt Every |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Residence: Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
College: Florida
Age: 25
Final money list position: 10
Season bests: One win (Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island) and seven top-25 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in six PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T28 at the 2005 U.S. Open. He will be a rookie in 2010.
Quote: "I've always felt I'm talented enough to win, I couldn't have waited any longer to do it though I'll tell you that. I'm going to enjoy it. I may play in one more event later this year but I most likely won't play again until after football season. I'm looking forward to playing on the PGA TOUR next year. It's hard to watch your college buddies play on TOUR and the Presidents Cup. You start to think 'Are these guys really that much better than me?' and I know the answer to that question, deep down I do."
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| 11. Justin Bolli |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Portland, Ore.
Residence: Duluth, Ga.
College: University of Georgia
Age: 33
Final money list position: 11
Season bests: Won Price Cutter Charity Championship, eight other top-25s
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 53 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T5 at the 2008 AT&T Classic.
Quote: "The Nationwide Tour has amazing competition and the tournaments are run almost identical. Last year, I thought I did everything I could to keep my PGA TOUR card but I what I learned this year is how to prepare for a tournament. And more importantly, how to analyze my game after a round so I know what to work on."
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| 12. Garrett Willis |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Charlotte, N.C.
Residence: Knoxville, Tenn.
College: East Tennessee State
Age: 35
Final money list position: 12
Season bests: One win (WNB Golf Classic) and nine top-25 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 161 PGA TOUR events. Won the 2001 Touchstone Energy Tucson Open.
Quote: "It was devastating to miss my card by one shot at q-school last year and to be able to come back out on the Nationwide Tour and earn my card the next year without having to go through the stress of q-school again is fantastic. Im probably better mentally prepared for the PGA TOUR next year because I know how hard it was to get back out there again. Its been a great year for me. Ive worked hard this year to get better in certain aspects of my game and Im excited about the upcoming year."
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| 13. Kevin Johnson |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Plymouth, Mass.
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
College: Clemson University
Age: 42
Final money list position: 13
Season bests: Won The Rex Hospital Open and Knoxville Open, nine other top-25s
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 41 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T11 at the 2001 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
Quote: "The talent out here on the Nationwide Tour is truly phenomenal. Just look at a player like Michael Sim. He's obviously one of the best golfers in the world and he's playing out here. There just isn't enough room out there on the PGA TOUR. If that doesn't tell you something, I don't know what does. This time around (going back to the PGA TOUR), I feel like I belong and I'm going to do everything I can to take advantage of this opportunity."
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| 14. Garth Mulroy |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Durban, South Africa
Residence: Raleigh, N.C.
College: North Carolina State University
Age: 31
Final money list position: 14
Season bests: Won South Georgia Classic, nine other top-25s
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in one PGA TOUR event (2009 World Golf Championships-CA Championship/T46)
Quote: "The Nationwide Tour is such a great place to play. It's perfect for me because from my experience this Tour is run exactly the same way the PGA TOUR is run. Other than the different faces and purses it's still the same game. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to play out here and win, I'm really looking forward to next year on the PGA TOUR."
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| 15. Jerod Turner |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Oak Harbour, Wash.
Residence: Hurst, Texas
College: N/A
Age: 34
Final money list position: 15
Season bests: Won the Soboba Classic, four other top-25s
PGA TOUR Experience: None
Quote: "The Nationwide Tour is everything I hoped it would be; a serious stand-alone Tour with loads of talent and I feel prepared for the PGA TOUR. Next year, a lot is going to change from a golf perspective, but I won't change, I think that's a big reason for my success in such a short amount of time."
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| 16. Alex Prugh |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Spokane, Wash.
Residence:Spokane, Wash.
College: University of Washington
Age: 25
Final money list position: 16
Season bests: Won the Michael Hill New Zealand Open, nine other top-25s
PGA TOUR Experience: None
Quote: "I think everyone knows the Nationwide Tour is the second best Tour in the world. There is some serious talent out here and it's proven to produce great golfers that are now on the PGA TOUR. It would have been great to earn my PGA TOUR card last year, but this year's learning curve turned out to be better for me. The full year of competition is what got me my PGA TOUR card."
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| 17. Jeff Gove |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Seattle
Residence: Seattle
College: Pepperdine
Age: 38
Final money list position: 17
Season bests: Six top-10 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 141 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T6 at the 2006 Booz Allen Classic and 2007 John Deere Classic
Quote: "I've played well this year despite the past month or so and I'm looking forward to having a couple of months to work some things out. This Tour taught me you have to play well consistently to be successful. One good event here and there doesn't cut it. I'm hoping I bring a high level of consistency to the PGA TOUR next year."
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| 18. Henrik Bjornstad |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
College: N/A
Age: 30
Final money list position: 18
Season bests: Notched six top-10 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 32 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T10 at the 2006 Buick Invitational
Quote: "The Nationwide Tour is the perfect stepping stone to the PGA TOUR. In 2006, I wasn't ready for the PGA TOUR, but after coming back here I feel like I've learned a lot about myself and gained the experience of traveling the United States and playing professional golf."
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| 19. Chris Baryla |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Residence: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
College: Texas-El Paso
Age: 27
Final money list position: 19
Season bests: One win (Chattanooga Classic) and seven top-25 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in six PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T8 at the 2009 RBC Canadian Open.
Quote: "To be able to come back after having my back injury and Monday qualifying into the events and make it into the top-25 is awesome. This is such a great opportunity for me to go to the PGA TOUR and play against the best players in the world. It hasn't even hit me yet to say exactly how I feel right now."
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| 20. Steve Wheatcroft |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Indiana, Pa.
Residence: Jacksonville, Fla.
College: Indiana
Age: 31
Final money list position: 20
Season bests: Eight top-25 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 29 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T18 at the 2007 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.
Quote: "To start the year as badly as I did and be able to come back and make it in the top-25 is exciting. I made some changes about mid-way through the year and changes are designed so you can get in contention and to be put under pressure like today. Had I not made those changes I wouldn't be here today. And they withstood the pressure of needing to place high. I'm looking forward to testing my game next year on the PGA TOUR."
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| 21. Rich Barcelo |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Long Beach, Calif.
Residence: Reno, Nev.
College: Nevada
Age: 34
Final money list position: 21
Season bests: One win (Cox Classic) and five top-25 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 58 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T4 at the 2007 Reno-Tahoe Open.
Quote: "This is the first time I've earned my way onto the PGA TOUR by finishing in the top 25 on the money list and it feels extra special to say that. This Tour is so competitive and to come out here and play well for an entire year just proves to me I'm ready. It solidifies my confidence. My goal for next year is to continue the success I've had this year and the key to that is confidence."
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| 22. Craig Bowden |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Bedford, Ind.
Residence: Bloomington, Ind.
College: University of Indianapolis
Age: 41
Final money list position: 22
Season bests: Eleven top-25 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 126 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T9 at the 2004 FedEx St. Jude Classic and 2007 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.
Quote: "The demons were out there today. It doesn't matter how loud the crowd is cheering, the demons in my head are always louder. But you always have bad thoughts. That's golf. You just have to think about the shot you have at hand. ... I am so happy right now. I knew I needed to two-putt on the 18th hole and when it went in all I could think was 'yee-haw.' ... I'm really comfortable going into next year. I feel like my game is really good now and I'm confident I'll do well."
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| 23. Vance Veazey |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Memphis, Tenn.
Residence: Memphis, Tenn.
College: Mississippi
Age: 44
Final money list position: 23
Season bests: One win (Panama Digicel Championship) and three top-10 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 89 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T10 at the 2007 Stanford St. Jude Championship
Quote: "This will be my fourth time going to the PGA TOUR and I'm hoping to take everything I've learned this year and putting it to good use next year. I've learned to not put pressure on myself and just take the good with the bad. All you can do is just keep on chugging along and play."
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| 24. Mathias Gronberg |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Residence: Monaco
College: Swedish Golf School
Age: 39
Final money list position: 24
Season bests: One win (Melwood Prince George's County Open)
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 170 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T3 at the 2007 Valero Texas Open.
Quote: "First let me just say how extremely excited I am that I made it through. When I finished today's round there was a lot of sitting around and watching the money list. I didn't play my best golf today but kept myself cool under the pressure. My goal for next year is to continue my good play, hopefully do well at the beginning of the year, and stay healthy." |
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| 25. Fran Quinn |
 Video vignetteClick to watch
Birthplace: Worcester, Mass.
Residence: Holden, Mass.
College: Northwestern
Age: 44
Final money list position: 25
Season bests: One win (Albertsons Boise Open) and seven top-25 finishes
PGA TOUR Experience: Has played in 47 PGA TOUR events. Best finish: T9 at the 1994 New England Classic.
Quote: "It was a tough day [Saturday]. I went on IV, antibiotics along with a straight IV for just getting hydrated. I had a urinary tract infection. It was just brutal, absolutely brutal. Worst pain I've ever been in. The thing is, it must have just sucked in my whole system. I had the shakes. I had brutal cramps. My back hurt. I was really breaking into vicious sweats. It was tough.
"[Sunday] I was under the weather, just weak. ... Obviously being behind the 8-ball, it affected the way I felt. I left a few out there today. I did pretty darn good to shoot 2 over. I didnt know if I could play this morning when I woke up. I was going to play. There was no way I wasnt going to play. But realistically I didnt know if I could break 80 the way I felt. It was a grind. And it was pretty bad timing, to say the least."
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