| The National Professional Golf Tour is the creation | | | | Dallas and more. In 2011, the tour will expand to |
| of avid golfer and accomplished entrepreneur | | | | include Chicago, Nashville, locations in North and |
| Larry Lunsford. Mr. Lunsford's professional interest | | | | South Carolina, Colorado and Louisiana. Members |
| in golf began in Florida while working as an | | | | of the National Professional Golf Tour may |
| apprentice at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course | | | | compete on both their local tour as well as any |
| at the Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando. In 1996, | | | | NPGT tournament nationwide. |
| he accepted a position at Grand Cypress Resort, | | | | The NPGT is open to professional golfers of all |
| the sister course to Arnold Palmer's Bayhill | | | | ages who may compete in one of two divisions. |
| Country Club and Lodge, as an apprentice | | | | Any player with a 4 handicap or better may |
| operator. While attending turf school during the | | | | compete in the Open division while the Masters |
| evening, Larry learned every aspect of the golf | | | | division is reserved for players 40 years of age |
| course design, maintenance, and management | | | | or older with a handicap of 6 or better. |
| business and during the day he worked at the | | | | There are currently six membership packages |
| golf courses. In 1996, Larry continued to pursue | | | | available, ranging from a single amateur |
| his interest in golf by founding the “American | | | | tournament to a platinum membership, which |
| Amateur Golf Tour,” the world's largest | | | | includes all twelve tournaments and the three |
| amateur golf tour. Larry sold the tour to an | | | | Major events. A $1200.00 annual membership |
| investment group in 2005, and it is now known as | | | | fee grants players an opportunity to compete in |
| the Golf Channel Amateur Tour and airs on cable's | | | | any of the 22 markets across the country. Pricing |
| The Golf Channel. | | | | for membership packages ranges from $500 to |
| The National Professional Golf Tour was born in | | | | $10,025 and members who win tournament |
| 2009 out of Mr. Lunsford's desire to give aspiring | | | | events are eligible to have the $1200 membership |
| golfers the chance to earn their way to the PGA | | | | fee waived for up to three years. |
| Tour. In 2010, NPGT and Larry joined forces with | | | | NPGT golfers also have the opportunity to |
| the Arnold Palmer Golf Management and Century | | | | compete in three 54-hole Major events, The |
| Golf Partners to offer a dream to some of the | | | | National Open Championship, The Players |
| top golfers in the United States. The NPGT is also | | | | Championship and The Southern Masters. The |
| a supporter of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for | | | | tour culminates in two events, the National Cup |
| Children, a 150 Bed facility providing care for kids | | | | Match Play event and the National Tour |
| of Central Florida. Raising money for charity is one | | | | Championship and members must qualify to |
| of the main objectives of the NPGT and its | | | | participate in these events. |
| tournament directors. | | | | At stake in the National Cup match play event is |
| In March 2010, aspiring golfers will have the | | | | a $25,000 prize. The top 124 money leaders from |
| opportunity to participate in professionally run golf | | | | each division who have participated in at least |
| tournaments across the country. The National | | | | eight tournaments are invited to compete in the |
| Professional Golf Tour (NPGT) is launching a | | | | National Tour Championship where players have |
| 12-tournament season in each of the 22 cities | | | | the chance to compete for both a $500,000 |
| across the country. Sponsored by ProPlay Sports | | | | purse. The first place winner will receive $100,000 |
| and Parker Golf, the tournaments are designed as | | | | in prize money as well as the prestige of the |
| a stepping-stone for professional golfers whose | | | | Tour Championship title. |
| ultimate goal is to play on the PGA, Nationwide or | | | | Members also have the opportunity to qualify for |
| Champions Tour. | | | | a paid entry into the PGA Q-School, where they'll |
| Unlike other professional tours, golfers who | | | | have the chance to compete for a spot on the |
| participate in the National Professional Golf Tour | | | | PGA Tour. Additionally, the NPGT's Player of the |
| won't have travel all over the state or region to | | | | Year will receive a $10,000 bonus. |
| find a tournament. The tour locations and | | | | The National Professional Golf Tour is an exciting |
| schedules are combined with the ease of | | | | opportunity for professional golfers to enjoy the |
| purchasing membership packages, eliminate the | | | | prestige of playing in a national golf tournament |
| weekly travel costs, hotel and restaurant | | | | while gaining valuable experience that can |
| expenses and outrageous entry fees that | | | | potentially carry over to a spot on the PGA or |
| characterize other tours. The NPGT provides | | | | Nationwide Tours. The tour's affordability and |
| golfers with a competitive golf experience that is | | | | convenience, combined with the hundreds of |
| both affordable and convenient. | | | | thousands of dollars in available prize money make |
| In 2010, the NPGT will be making hosting | | | | the NPGT a tour unlike any other. The NPGT |
| tournaments across the country including Los | | | | experience is one that is sure to benefit aspiring |
| Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, San Antonio, Miami, | | | | golfers of all ages in realizing their professional |
| Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix, Kansas City and | | | | goals. |