Dayton Valley to host PGA qualifier

Once again, Dayton Valley Country Club has been chosen to host the first stage of qualifying for the Professional Golfers Association Tour.

For the eighth straight year, Dayton Valley will host the event next week. A field of 82 golfers will compete for the right to advance to the second stage of qualifying.

At the second stage, golfers will compete to play in the PGA's qualifying school for the right to be on the PGA Tour.

The Dayton Valley event will be held Oct. 13-18. Practice rounds will be held on Sunday and Monday, with the four-round tournament to be held Tuesday through Friday.

"It think it's impressive, absolutely," said Dayton Valley general manager Jim Kepler about being selected for the PGA qualifier eight straight years.

Those in the area will have a chance to see some of the top young, up and coming golfers. Top golfers who have played at Dayton Valley over the years include Notah Begay, Casey Martin and Bryce Molder. "It's always a real strong field," Kepler said.

Kepler said the reason why Dayton Valley continues to be chosen is the course is always kept in good shape and that it's a test of players' skills. It's not just a course for those who can hit the ball long, but for players who can make shots, Kepler said.

"Better players want a fair test," said Kepler about why Dayton Valley is popular with players.

"It's more of a players' course. They have to make their way around it. It's a test."

The score needed to advance to the second stage has gradually improved over the years from about 1-over-par to 3-under, Kepler said. He said about a third of the field will move on to the second stage.

A score of 15-16-under usually wins the tournament, but being the last qualifier is just as good as winning the event.

"Somewhere around par, that's going to be in the hunt," Kepler said.

Kepler said Dayton Valley has been approached about the men's senior and women's senior tours and the Buy.Com Tour about possibly hosting tournaments in the future. Kepler said the Carson City-Dayton area isn't big enough at this time to host a professional tournament. He said the biggest obstacle is finding a sponsor, which would be needed to host a professional event.

But Kepler said "we're anticipating somewhere down the line" that Dayton Valley would host a professional event in the future.