Las Vegas' Primm Valley Golf Club Site for New Mini Tour National Event

Las Vegas, Nevada (October 4, 2010)--The road to the PGA Tour is a long and winding one for most who hit the big time. Behind the rise of most PGA Tour players to golf's highest level is a long trail of mini-tour events, where they struggled from event to event and prize check to prize check. Now the new National Professional Golf Tour, presented by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, is a mini tour that is stressing convenience and affordability as to why aspiring pros should be playing in NPGT tournaments. And the inaugural NPGT National Open is coming to Las Vegas' Primm Valley Golf Club, the home of two Tom Fazio Las Vegas golf courses. --By Brian Hurlburt.

"A couple of years ago we got together with the folks at Arnold Palmer Golf Management because we all believed we could help make playing on a mini tour more accessible and more affordable for those pros with a dream," said Executive Director Larry Lunsford. "We are in many different markets and we are giving pros a chance to play on a national and regional level. The inaugural NPGT National Open Championship is to be played October 12-15 at Primm Valley Golf Club and at least 80 pros are expected to tee it up each looking for a minimum first-place check of $34,000. The top prize and total purse could get bigger as more pros enter, Lunsford said.

Primm Valley Golf Club is the home to the Lakes and Desert resort Las Vegas golf courses, each designed by the legendary Tom Fazio. Primm Valley is open to all Las Vegas golfers and you can click to the official website to reserve your tee times in Las Vegas or Las Vegas golf packages which are available at the surrounding hotels, located just minutes from the courses. Primm Valley is located on the California/Nevada border.

From a recent NGPT press release: "Established in 16 major markets throughout the US, the NPGT is an opportunity for both professional golfers and elite amateurs. Undoubtedly, the financial burdens of tournament participation exclude many players from the opportunity of experiencing the level of tournament necessary to effectively grow their careers. By providing a tour that is both affordable and convenient, the NPGT hopes to open up as much opportunity as possible for the professional golfers. The NPGT also serves as a natural "transition" experience for amateurs, tracking to become professionals. Until now, opportunities to play in tournaments of this caliber were limited to a scattered number of mini tours. By eliminating the need of extensive travel, the weekly costs of hotels and restaurants are eliminated, thus, allowing more players to participate." You can click to the official website of the NGPT to determine how you can get involved.

"The National Open Championship is the biggest event of the year and what everyone has worked for. It's exciting to have the opportunity to really solidify your season," said Neal Grusczynski, NPGT player and contributor. The 2010 National Open Championship is the culmination of the 2010 NPGT season, bringing together players, directors and supporters from 16 regions of the United States.