Nationwide Tour still searching for new title sponsor

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Feb 22, 2012 10:28 AM ET

The Nationwide Tour is still searching for a new title sponsor after Hyundai turned down a sponsorship package from the PGA Tour, according to Golfweek.

The Korean company had reportedly been in negotiations with the PGA Tour for a comprehensive package, including title sponsorship of the Tour’s developmental circuit, as well as an extension of its sponsorship of the season-opening Tournament of Champions. Insurer Nationwide will end its title sponsorship of the tour after this season.

The Tour is continuing with plans to make the Nationwide Tour into the exclusive path to the PGA Tour with or without a new title sponsor. Approved by the Player Advisory Council on Tuesday night, the plan will head to the Policy Board for final ratification on March 27.

Meanwhile, the Tour may still have at least one other title sponsor option on the table that could be completed within their optimal timetable.

“We got two very serious candidates,” Calfee said last month.  

Calfee said he hope to announce a deal by mid-March.