When the Korn Ferry Tour Huntsville Championship makes its delayed debut at The Ledges, local golf fans will see some of the best professional golfers competing on a challenging layout designed on the tallest peak in the city.

HBJKornFerryTour The tournament is scheduled for April 29-May 2, with more than 300 players and caddies along with Korn Ferry Tour officials in town all week for practice sessions on the course. Two local courses will host Monday Qualifying rounds. Weather forecasts typically are stable and nice this time of year. After a year of delay due to the pandemic, Huntsville will grab some of the spotlight in the world of professional golf.

Pull up a chair in the 19th hole, grab a cold Rocket Republic 6-Iron and dive into these questions about the PGA Tour’s developmental tour and what you might see, hear about and enjoy during the Huntsville Championship.

What is the Korn Ferry Tour?

The Korn Ferry Tour is the developmental level for the PGA Tour. Consider it like Triple-A baseball, with players waiting for a callup. Only with the Korn Ferry Tour, golfers can earn a promotion to the PGA Tour with three wins in a season or being among “The 25” in the final season standings to earn their tour card.

How many players are in the Huntsville Championship field?

Usually between 150-160 players are listed. Some withdraw before the first round, opening a spot for waiting alternates. The field will be cut roughly in half after the first two rounds.

How do the players qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour?

The same way you get to Carnegie Hall — practice! Seriously, though, players typically qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour through the PGA Tour Qualifying School, doing well on mini-tours around the world, or with top five finishes on the PGA Tour Canada, PGA Tour Latinoamerica or PGA Tour China. Finish the KFT season in the top 25 and you earn a PGA Tour card. Finish 26-60 and you earn privileges to remain on the KFT the next season.

Where is Monday Qualifying being held?

Monday Qualifying will be held at Huntsville Country Club and the Robert Trent Jones Hampton Cove courses. Eight players will qualify from these sessions to compete in the tournament. These are not funsie tournaments. The courses will be set up accordingly and competition will be fierce.

Will there be television coverage of the tournament?

Other than local newscasts, there is no television coverage scheduled.

Does the Huntsville Classic winner get a special jacket?

You’re familiar with the Green Jacket at The Masters, and perhaps the plaid jacket at the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links. Unfortunately, the Huntsville Championship winner will not receive a special jacket. We think perhaps a dandy spring seersucker would be nice, though.

Who designed the trophy for the Huntsville Championship?

Micah Gregg of Drop Metal in Huntsville designed the trophy. He studied in the Auburn University Industrial Design program before opening Drop Metal at his family’s farm in Prospect, Tenn. He moved the business to Huntsville in 2015.

Wait, there’s really a special beer for the Huntsville Championship?

Yep, pop a cold Six Iron Pilsner from Rocket Republic Brewing, which did the special collaboration just for the tournament. Tournament director Penn Garvich said the deal is “unique.”

“As far as the local brewery partnership and creation of the tournament’s signature beer, this is a unique deal specific to the Huntsville Championship,” he said. “Not to say that there aren’t other tournaments out there doing something similar in their market but it’s not standard across the board. As a team, we are constantly looking at unique ways to tap further into the community, create unique experiences and further develop relationships/partnerships.”

What is the background of The Ledges golf course?

The 21-year-old course was designed by Mike Hurdzan of Hurdzan/Fry GCD, Inc. Hurdzan was acclaimed in 2003 by Golf Magazine for his work at The Ledges. The course has bent grass greens, zoysia fairways and Bermuda rough, five tee sets, sculpted greens and challenging shots. It is USGA-rated 74.9 for scratch golfers. Handicaps are adjusted via a slope rating of 137, near the top of the maximum 155 value. The Ledges should provide a fair, stern test for the Huntsville Championship field.

Where can I buy tickets for the tournament?

The best way to get them is here: https://reserve.imclutch.com/huntsville-championship

A likeness of the iconic Saturn V rocket is the Huntsville Championship Trophy.

What about parking and shuttles to The Ledges?

Parking is free for spectators and volunteers at the Sandra Moon Community Complex at 7901 Bailey Cove Road. From there a shuttle will take you to The Ledges. The shuttle is free to tournament guests, and will run throughout the duration of the tournament.

The Ledges is the course and community on top of the mountain overlooking Jones Valley, right?

Yes. The course and community are located on Huntsville Mountain at 1,582 feet — the tallest point in the city. Green, Monte Sano, Chapman and Drake mountains are close, but The Ledges sits atop all of them. On a clear day, especially in winter when trees are devoid of leaves, the views are quite scenic.

Do the players have to walk all 18 holes during the tournament?

Normally, yes, players competing in a Korn Ferry Tour tournament (or other professional golf tournaments) must walk during competition. However, several holes at The Ledges are quite steep and carts will be used for the players and caddies only for a few specific holes.

Will the Huntsville Championship be the only professional tournament that weekend?

No. Everyone’s on the course! The weekend of April 29-May 2, the PGA Tour will be in Florida for the Valspar Championship, the LPGA Tour will be in Singapore for the HSBC Women’s World Championship and the Tour Champions will be in Texas for the Insperity Invitational.

Where do the golfers and caddies stay?

Hotels and perhaps rental houses will be used in Huntsville during tournament week. Some players may have friends or relatives, but most will be in hotels or perhaps an Air BnB. You may see the players out and about in town during tournament week, too, enjoying the local establishments.

Who are the tournament sponsors?

Almost 40 sponsors are too many to list but you can see them at HuntsvilleChampionship.com.

Beneficial to be a sponsor and why?

Yes, it’s beneficial in that your company or business is showing community spirit and helping with a significant event. Local officials began talking with the Korn Ferry Tour more than two years ago about coming to the city, looking at courses and whether local businesses and fans would be supportive. Almost 40 sponsors certainly shows a lot of support.

What’s next for the Korn Ferry Tour after the Huntsville Championship?

Hopefully the KFT players and staff will leave with good vibes and look forward to returning in 2022. On the immediate schedule are two Tennessee events: the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation in College Grove (east of Spring Hill) and the Visit Knoxville Open.

How about a mulligan question? Do you think I can compete on the Korn Ferry Tour?

Short answer? No. But do this if you play regularly: Tee off on No. 1 with two balls. From there on, play the worst ball. Play 18 holes with the worst ball, including on the greens. Shoot at or below par regularly playing this way and you might be able to hang for a bit. The KFT players are really good, it’s cutthroat, and tour life isn’t easy. But if you’re a Weekend Willie with stars in your eyes, that Monday Qualifier might be your golden ticket to find out.