Sandy, Utah… Former NGA/Hooters Tour Player of the Year Zach Johnson made history Sunday at the Envirocare Utah Classic when he captured his second title of the year. The Iowa City, Iowa native became the first player in Nationwide Tour History to surpass the $400,000 mark in a single season. The $81,000 first place check vaulted his single-season total of $412,915 over Hooters Tour alum Chad Campbell's 2001 single season money record of $394,552.
Johnson's record breaking season has included seven top ten finishes to go with his 2 victories as well as a stretch of back to back 2nd place finishes in July. Johnson leads the Nationwide Tour in this category as well as the All-Around Player Ranking.
"This is awesome," said Johnson, who will play in next week's PGA TOUR event, the John Deere Classic in his native state, thanks to a sponsor's exemption. "My expectations are a little high, especially after this week but I'm just going to try and have fun. My family and friends will be there so it'll be a little hectic. It'll be a good tournament to get my feet wet."
Meanwhile, current Hooters Tour member Nick Cassini is quietly making some noise on the Nationwide Tour as well. After Monday qualifying in Wichita three weeks ago, Cassini finished in a T10 to gain a spot in the following tournament, the Alberta Calgary Classic. Cassini then solidified his spot for the remainder of the season by finishing all alone in second place to become the second member of the Hooters Tour to advance to the Nationwide Tour. Vaughn Taylor did so in June by finishing 2nd in back to back tournaments. Taylor also secured his spot on the Nationwide Tour for 2004 by winning the Knoxville Open. Cassini ran his streak of top tens to three this past weekend when he finished T8 in the Envirocare Utah Classic. The UGA alum is currently 43 on the Nationwide Tour's money list with $73, 539 and is shooting for one of the top 20 spots that get full exemption on the PGA Tour for 2004. Cassini had put up a consistent season on the Hooters Tour making 13 of 15 cuts and winning his first ever Hooters tournament this year at The Huntsville Times Pro Golf Classic before jumping up to the Nationwide Tour.