Taylor wins first Nationwide Tour Title

Surpasses $200,000 faster than any other player in Nationwide History

Knoxville, TN…NGA/Hooters Tour member Vaughn Taylor inched closer Sunday to fulfilling his dream of playing professionally on the PGA Tour. Taylor needed just one playoff hole to defeat Joe Ogilvie in the Knoxville Open presented by Food City, the oldest tournament on the Nationwide Tour, to secure his first Nationwide title.

With the victory, Taylor collects a career-best $85,500 and moves from No. 8 to No. 2 on the Nationwide Tour money list with $200,933. He becomes the fastest player in the history of the Nationwide Tour to surpass the $200,000 mark, doing so in just five tournaments. The record, previously held by Ian Leggatt (12 in 2000) and former NGA/Hooters Tour member, Cliff Kresge (12 in 2002), would have been broken Sunday by Ogilvie (11 tournaments) had it not been for Taylor's heroics.

"It's a great feeling knowing I reached $200,000 quicker than any other player," said Taylor. "I haven't been thinking a lot about money so far this year, but I guess I can for the next week."

Taylor began the 2003 season on the NGA/Hooters Tour like a ball of fire, losing in a sudden death playoff at the opening event of the season in Lake Mary, Florida, then rebounding with a 6 stroke win the following week in Hawkinsville, Georgia. In fact, in just 7 Hooters Tour events this year, Taylor recorded 1 win, 2 second place finishes, and 2 third's. All told, VT took home $52,546.25 in less than 2 months!

“One of my goals this season was to make the Nationwide Tour," said Taylor. "The Hooters Tour was instrumental in achieving that goal. I learned how to win, how to shoot low and compete with great players. It was a great learning experience."

After Monday qualifying May 12th in Virginia Beach, Taylor took home a check for $48,600.00 finishing 2nd at the Virginia Beach Open. Then in Raleigh at The SAS Carolina Classic the Augusta, Georgia product pocketed another $44,000 after finishing in a tie for 2nd, solidifying his status on the next level. He now has exempt status on the Nationwide Tour for the remainder of this season and all of 2004. With the top 20 on the season-ending Nationwide Tour money list earning their PGA TOUR cards for 2004, Taylor now has his sights set on bigger and better things.

"Everyone's goal is to come out here and make it to the PGA TOUR as soon as possible," said Taylor. "It's always been a dream of mine and now I have it in my sights."

Former NGA/Hooters 2001 Player of The Year, Zach Johnson is currently ranked 3^rd on the Nationwide Tour’s money list giving the NGA/Hooters tour two former members ranked in the top three.