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Tournament History
In December of 2003, the PGA TOUR and former Governor, Bob Wise, announced that West Virginia would host a new Nationwide Tour event at the Pete Dye Golf Club. After four immensely successful years as the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin joined with PGA TOUR officials in January 2008 to officially launch this summer's $1 million Nationwide Tour Players Cup. Coverage of the prestigious Players Cup will receive significant national and international exposure on the Golf Channel, promoting the state's tourism industry as far away as Asia, Europe and Latin America.
The Nationwide Tour Players Cup, which will be held July 7-13 at the Pete Dye Golf Club in Bridgeport, W.Va., will be the Tour's premier, in-season event. It will feature a unique 144-player field based on the Nationwide Tour's money list and a Tour-record $1 million purse.
"We couldn't be happier that the Nationwide Tour has selected West Virginia to host its marquee in-season event," Manchin said. "Tour officials were impressed with the beauty of our state and the quality of our people. The great experience the Nationwide Tour had in our state in the past led to West Virginia being chosen to host this outstanding tournament."
From 2004 to 2007 the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic experienced unparalleled success on the Nationwide Tour and created some noteworthy moments. Tournament organizers knew that they had something special after the inaugural event when the PGA TOUR named the Classic the "Charity of the Year." The Classic has built upon that initial success and continues to increase charitable donations.
In 2004, D.A. Points won the inaugural event by a healthy five strokes, shooting a 23-under par (265). The following year West Virginia played a pivotal role in the "feel good story of the year" - Jason Gore. Capturing his first of three tournament victories in a row, Gore's win at the Classic propelled him to the PGA TOUR and a win at the 84 Lumber Classic. 2006 showcased a dramatic playoff victory by Jason Enloe. The 33-year-old native of Decatur, Ill. claimed his first Nationwide Tour title thanks to a final-round 4-under-par 68. Enloe finished regulation in a tie with Boo Weekley at 14-under-par 274 and then drained an eight-foot par putt on the first playoff hole to claim the $108,000 first-place check.
Pete Dye Classic Trophy & Burl Jones
In addition to the tournament check, the champion of the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic received an original hand-crafted piece of art. The West Virginia Coal Association commissioned world renowned artist and West Virginia native, Burl Jones, to create a trophy that would incorporate the rich heritage of West Virginia, the coal industry, and the Pete Dye Golf Club.
West Virginia, its rich traditions and culture, nurtured an artistic sensibility in Burl Jones that would build into one of the country's most respected careers in bronze sculpture.
Born and raised near Charleston, Burl excelled in academics and athletics, attending West Virginia University on a football scholarship and graduating Summa Cum Laude from the School of Dentistry in 1966. A two year stint in the United States Public Health Service brought him to the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. This exposure to Native American culture, western wildlife, and frontier ethic would prove to be a major influence on his later work.
Shortly before leaving for Flathead, Burl married his childhood sweetheart, Eunice. Thirty-five years later, they have two sons, Mark and Allen. The family shares an enthusiasm for nature, wild places, and artistic creation. Mark is a physician and spends most of his free time cultivating his interests in hunting and photography. Both talents came together for a book of personal hunting experiences he authored several years ago, The Joy of Misery. Allen is a professional writer and is currently editor of one of the premier regional magazines in the West, Big Sky Journal. Eunice has found an artistic voice through her wonderful, innovative pottery and a growing collection of poetry.
After nearly twenty-five years of dentistry, Burl shifted gears several years ago to focus entirely on his sculpture. Clay and wax are his mediums now, and provide a way of expressing his love for those interests that have dominated his life. Wildlife, mountain men, Native Americans, fishermen, and hunters all come to have a life of their own under his skilled hands. Over a hundred original sculptures have been produced in limited editions and sold to collectors worldwide.
West Virginia is still his home. Burl's works are available from his studio-gallery near Sissonville as well as major galleries throughout the country.
Nationwide Tour Players Cup Trophy & West Virginia Artisans
In January 2008, Gov. Joe Manchin announced that the tournament trophy, presented to the champion on the final day, will be designed by a West Virginia artisan. Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, added that West Virginia tourism will receive tremendous exposure through Golf Channel's coverage of the Nationwide Tour Players Cup.
"The print, electronic and Internet exposure, coupled with the pictures from West Virginia and commercials that will air during the telecasts, will spotlight our state as the wonderful tourism destination all West Virginians know it to be," said Kelly Goes, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
The Golf Channel, the exclusive cable television home of the Nationwide Tour, has a reach of more than 100 million homes worldwide.
West Virginia will be featured in various PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour promotional outlets, such as Partners magazine and on PGATOUR.COM, the TOUR's official Internet site and No. 1 site in all of golf, Goes said.
Goes said that West Virginia Division of Tourism officials will soon announce criteria for choosing the artisan that will design and produce the new Players Cup trophy.
"The design and construction will be in the hands of a West Virginia artisan, so we know it will be an outstanding trophy." Goes said.
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