Column: PGA picks Dayton as qualifying school because the course is fair, challenging

It's not rocket science to figure out why the Professional Golfers Association keeps using the Dayton Valley course as one of its qualifying sites for its tour: The course is fair and challenge.

For the sixth straight year, Dayton will host one of the PGA qualifying schools that serves as a step for those who dream of making the PGA Tour. The event will be held Oct. 24-27.

Tee times each day for the 72-hole event will be 10 a.m. Seventy-five to 80 players will compete and the top 25 to 20 will advance to stage two of the qualifying process.

Those who make it past stage two will advance to the PGA qualifying finals. The top 50 at the qualifying finals will receive their exemption cards onto the PGA tour.

Dayton head golf pro Jim Kepler said "the hardest thing to do in all of sports is to get on the PGA tour."

The Arnold Palmer designed course in Dayton has become a popular qualifying site.

"It certainly doesn't hurt to have his named attached to the course," Kepler said.

But Dayton can't just keep relying on the Arnold Palmer name to keep bringing players back. Among the players who have passed through Dayton are Notah Begay, Casey Martin, Bob May and David Sutherland.

"It's a real fair course," Kepler said. "It's in great shape. It's definitely very challenging.

"It's more of a course management type of course. They have to maintain their composure. The better players are better on this course."

Kepler said another strong feature of the 7,200-yard course is luck rarely plays a factor. It's all about who makes the best shots.

"They have to think their way around," Kepler said. "It's a test of golf. They know it's all about the golf course and not getting lucky."

In comparing his course to others that are open to the public, Kepler said it's "as good as anybody in the Western United States."

Kepler said a record has been kept of the toughest holes during the qualifying tournament and they have been seven, eight, nine, 11, 16, 17 and 18. The PGA wants qualifying courses in which the field shoots an average score of about par. The lowest qualifying score to move on to the next level at Dayton has been 2-under-par while the highest has been 3-over.

At Dayton, there's no difference between first and 25th. "Their goal is to move on to the next week," Kepler said.

Players have to pay a $4,000 entrance fee to play at Dayton. But the ultimate result could be the riches of the PGA tour.

Kepler said each year the players who come to Dayton are surveyed on their thoughts of the course. The results have been that the players are pleased with the conditions and fairness of the course and the treatment they received.

In other words, the players have been pleased with the "quality of product" and "quality of service," Kepler said.

Kepler said Dayton has been approached to host a By.Com tour event, which is one step below the PGA tour. But Kepler said the community of Dayton isn't quite big enough, yet, to host such an event.