Barona Lands Nationwide PGA Tournament

By Johnny McDonald

Barona Creek Golf Club has landed the Nationwide PGA Tour Championships in 2007, San Diego County’s third major tournament.

The beautiful 7,088-yard, par 72 golf course joins the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines and LaCosta’s national match play as another major stop for elite golfers. The tournament is scheduled for Oct. 27 through Nov. 4 and will return in 2010.

The announcement was made by the Professional Golfers’ Association tour committee at the Barona course.

The internationally televised annual event features the top 60 players on the official money list who compete for 20 PGA tour playing cards over four days. Those 60 players accumulate dollars at Nationwide Tour events throughout the year to reach the final dramatic championship.

Former Nationwide Tour players include standouts such as Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, John Daly, Chris DiMarco and David Toms. In all, past Nationwide Tour players have won 175 PGA Tour titles, including 10 major championships.

 “The Nationwide Tour Championships will bring tremendous exposure and additional credibility to our golf course,” said Don King, Director of Golf at Barona Creek Golf Club.

“Barona Creek will be a huge test for these top players and I’m confident the course will meet their strong playing abilities.”

“The golf course will provide a great setting for our championship and we know that San Diegans appreciate quality golf and will support the tournament,” said Bill Calfee, Chief of Operations for the Nationwide Tour.

The Century Club of San Diego, organizers of the annual Buick Invitational, will play a vital part in this event with marketing and administrative support, according to executive director Tom Wilson.

“Barona Creek Golf Club was selected because of its unique design and challenging layout,” he said. “This championship creates a truly exciting finish to the players’ season with the top 20 players earning their card to play on the PGA tour the following year.”

The golf club, the centerpiece of Barona Valley Ranch Resort, has close to 100 multifingered bunkers and a series of lakes and ponds, connected to the area’s naturally fed streams.