Nationwide Tour returning to Kansas City area in 2011

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OVERLAND PARK, Kansas -- The PGA TOUR's Nationwide Tour will return to the Kansas City area in 2011 for the Nationwide Tour Midwest Classic, with the Kansas City Crusaders serving as host organization, it was announced Tuesday by the Kansas City Crusaders and the Nationwide Tour.

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The event will be played in August at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate in Overland Park, Kan. Tournament dates will be announced in the near future.

The Midwest Classic will feature a field of 156 golfers competing over 72 holes of stroke play on Thursday through Sunday, preceded by a pro-am on Wednesday. The tournament purse is $550,000.

The tournament's primary beneficiary will be Mercy Children's Hospital in Kansas City, which has a long history of association with golf in Kansas City.

Folds of Honor, a charitable organization with a mission to empower deserving military families with educational support and opportunities, will also benefit by presenting a celebrity skills challenge during the week of the tournament.

"The Nationwide Tour experienced many positive things during last year's event at the Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate," said Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee. "The golf course and staging were excellent, spectator support was very strong and the competition exciting with Michael Sim earning a battlefield promotion to the PGA TOUR.

"We also developed a very good relationship with the Kansas City Crusaders," Calfee said. "With their full support, we believe all the elements are in place for a successful long-term event that will have a very positive community impact -- a great market, a solid venue, a well organized and energetic host organization, and a deserving charity in Mercy Children's Hospital."

The 2009 Nationwide Tour tournament at LionsGate was particularly memorable as Australian Michael Sim won by two shots to become the ninth Nationwide Tour member to capture three titles in the same season and earn an immediate promotion to the PGA TOUR. The Nicklaus Golf Club at LionsGate played to a par of 36-35-71 at 7,230 yards last year.

"Having been part of the 2009 Nationwide Tour event and witnessing the economic impact that the Tour can bring to a city was all it took for the Crusaders to step up to make Kansas City a permanent tournament destination," said David Byrne, President of the Kansas City Crusaders. "We look forward to working with the Nationwide Tour and area businesses to make the Midwest Classic the best tournament on their schedule."

"Children's Mercy is thrilled to return to our partnership with professional golf by being named the primary beneficiary for the Nationwide Tour event to be held in Kansas City in 2011," said D. Bradley Leech, Vice President of Resource Development and Chief Development Officer for Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. "The generosity and the commitment shown to our hospital for many years by many of the world's finest golfers will continue through this exciting new opportunity, and we are indeed grateful to be a part of the event."

"Folds of Honor thanks the leaders of the Nationwide Tour for helping us raise awareness in the Kansas City area about the importance of making sure that our national heroes and their families have the educational support to succeed in life," said Major Ed Pulido, Senior Vice President of Folds of Honor. "We thank the Nationwide Tour for its commitment in helping ensure that no deserving families are left behind."

The Kansas City Crusaders named Nick Rodina as tournament director for the Midwest Classic. Rodina joins the Crusaders after nearly seven years with the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. During his tenure with the Chiefs, Nick worked in Community Relations, Corporate Sponsorships, VIP Club Sales and Season Ticket Sales. A Kansas City native, Rodina is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and has a degree in Sports Management from the University of Kansas.

"We are extremely excited about the return and presence of the Nationwide Tour to Kansas City," said Nick Rodina, Tournament Director for the Midwest Classic. "The continuation of the event is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of thousands of volunteers and local sponsors. The players really enjoy the venue and we look forward to welcoming them with our special Kansas City hospitality.