ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – The PGA Tour’s Policy Board begins its final meeting of 2011 on Monday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Among the items on the agenda for the two-day gathering is a proposal to dramatically restructure the Q-School and Nationwide Tour process.
Although approval doesn’t appear imminent the plan to make the Nationwide Tour the lone avenue to PGA Tour membership via a three- or four-event “finals series” will be discussed thoroughly over the next two days.
“You haven’t heard much about (the plan) lately, which is a sign it’s close to being passed,” said one Tour player this week at the McGladrey Classic.
The four Policy Board player directors – Davis Love III, Zach Johnson, Paul Goydos and Steve Stricker – are all expected to attend.
Also on the agenda for the meeting is a proposal that would extend the 60-day window through an entire season for amateurs who win Nationwide Tour events. Call it the Russell Henley rule following the University of Georgia senior’s victory at the Stadion Classic in May.
Henley waited until after the Walker Cup to turn pro, past the 60-day window allowed to accept membership, and will have to wait until 2012 to join the circuit. According to one Nationwide Tour official the proposal would extend the 60-day window through the entire season.
The board is also expected to approve a proposal to create a South American circuit that would become a “feeder tour” to the Nationwide Tour.