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Hey everyone! I've been MIA...following the guys around on the Nationwide Tour. We hit up Maryland and Chicago in the last two weeks and I've been so busy!

I got this video from Ben Bates, one of the grinders out here (along with a bunch of others but this one is very interesting) who’s been on the tour for twenty something years. He's featured in an article in Golf World this week talking about similar stuff Anyone have thoughts on this?”

The Grind 2007 | Pics & Videos

I called it "Ben talks Tour politics".

I don't know if it will ever really be considered the second best tour in the world, at least in the mainstream...the European Tour carries a lot of history and prestige. But the success that Nationwide grads are enjoying on the PGA Tour can't be denied and that alone should be reason enough for the commissioner (and sponsors) to take notice. They've got the players, the venues and the competition, what they need is more money for a mini-major and some marketing. Nationwide players are at least, if not more, prepared for the rigors of the Tour than players from any other tour in the world. Gotta get the viewers/gallery though. Actually, one thing he said sounded intriguing...I'd like to see the money get good enough in the Nationwide events that would give some pros pause when deciding where to play that week. Maybe they'd stand a better chance of winning more money by teeing it up in the "minors" on some weeks. The world's top golfers would probably never do it and it would be a one way street but I don't think it would weaken either tour. Strugglers on the NW Tour might not like it so much, though. The point is I'd like to see more top NW golfers going up against the big boys from time to time...maybe include them and make it the four-tour challenge or something. At least that would be a start and get them more exposure.

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