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Price Cutter event has history and strong charity record

As home to the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper, Springfield, Mo., is one of the four original Nationwide Tour host cities, along with Boise, Idaho, Wichita, Kan. and Knoxville, Tenn.

Over the years the event has developed into one of the best charity stories on the Nationwide Tour. Last year a record $630,284 was distributed to 43 Ozark charities, making it one of the largest multi-charity fundraisers in the area.

Six past champions In Springfield

2002 Price Cutter Charity Championship winner Patrick Sheehan appears headed for a return to the PGA TOUR in 2008. He is in the midst of a solid year and is currently 10th on the money list. Sheehan is the Tour's leading money winner without a victory. Other past champions who will be in the field are Tommy Tolles ('93), Ryan Howison ('99) Tom Carter ('03), Brad Ott ('04) and Roger Tambellini ('05).

2007 PGA TOUR Rookie Of The Year race

Based on statistical considerations, only one of the ten leading candidates for 2007 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year does not have Nationwide Tour roots. Brandt Snedeker has a razor-thin edge on fellow 2006 graduate Jeff Quinney in both FedExCup points (29th vs. 30th) and the money list (less than $16,000).

Anthony Kim, the only non-Nationwide Tour candidate, is 32nd in the FedExCup race, with Stephen Marino (63rd) and John Mallinger (76th) next in line. There are 17 events remaining on the 2007 PGA TOUR schedule. The Rookie of the Year is based on a vote of the players.

40 alums headed to Carnoustie

There are 40 Nationwide Tour alumni in the field for this week's British Open Championship, including past champions John Daly (1995), Tom Lehman (1996) and Ernie Els (2002).

Nationwide Tour alum Jonathan Byrd adds 207th PGA TOUR win | Story

Jonathan Byrd's win on Sunday in the John Deere Classic was the third of his PGA TOUR career. It was also the 207th time a former Nationwide Tour player has won on the PGA TOUR. The South Carolina native finished eighth in his lone Nationwide Tour season, 2001, to earn his PGA TOUR card. This week he sits at No. 100 on the Career Money Leaders list with more than $7.5 million.

BMW event Announces record $2,021,325 to charity

The Nationwide Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am at The Cliffs today formally announced a tournament and Tour record charity donation of $2,021,325 for this year's tournament, which was played May 14-20. The announcement was made in the BMW Zentrum Museum on the grounds of BMW Manufacturing Co. in Greenville, South Carolina.

The 25: Last week's movers

Chad Collins and Chris Nallen didn't quite win the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational but they did split first-place money ($108,800 each), making them the week's biggest movers into THE 25. The duo finished T2 with amateur and tournament winner Daniel Summerhays not eligible for prize money.

Collins, a native of Indiana, began the week No. 66 on the money list and now finds himself 13th. Nallen, a 25-year-old New Jersey resident who earned All-American honors all four years at the University of Arizona, jumped 72 spots to No. 15. Both players have won once on the Nationwide Tour.

John Cook named 2008 Honorary Chairman

On Sunday the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational announced that former OSU All-American and member of the 1979 national championship Buckeye golf team John Cook will be the tournament's Honorary Chairman in 2008.

The 11-time PGA TOUR winner and Ohio native succeeds fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus who served in the chairman's capacity for this year's inaugural event that featured current first team All-Americans. Cook, who turns 50 in October, has played in two Nationwide Tour events (one in 2003 and one earlier this year).

Aussie Scott Gardiner on a good run

Since mid June, Australian Scott Gardiner has made an impressive run up the Nationwide Tour money list. Beginning with the Knoxville Open he finished T5, 4th, 2nd and T16 in Columbus to improve 90 positions. He is currently 17th on the money list and was a collective 33-under par in these four starts.

Fellow Aussies maintaining pace In "The 25" race

Australia, which for a number of years has been well represented on the Nationwide Tour and the PGA TOUR, currently has five players who are within THE 25 and on track to earn their 2008 PGA TOUR cards in November; Nick Flanagan (No. 2 on the money list), Jason Day (6th), Scott Gardiner (17th), Matthew Jones (24th) and Greg Chalmers (25th).

Speaking of Aussies, it was nice to see struggling Steven Bowditch post a 2007-best T5 finish in Columbus.

Don't be bashful next time, Jason

Jason Day is not shy in the way he attacks a golf course, but apparently the 19-year-old Australian who recently became the youngest winner of a Nationwide Tour and PGA TOUR-sanctioned event, can still be shy at times outside the ropes.

"I live a few minutes from Bay Hill (in Orlando, FL), and I was there the other day and walked past Arnold Palmer," Day said after his Legend Group Financial Classic win in Cleveland.

"I didn't even have the guts to talk to him." Perhaps that first win will give him the extra dose of confidence he needs to introduce himself to "The King" the next time around.

Did you know?

Ben Bates made his record 200th Nationwide Tour cut on Sunday in Columbus.