In a very short period of time, the Wachovia Championship has become a premier event on the PGA Tour. The tournament attracts one of the strongest fields of the year, including this year where it will host 29 of the top 30 players in the world. What makes this even more amazing is that it precedes one of the most anticipated events on the PGA TOUR, The Players Championship. So how did this relatively new tournament become such a big attraction? PGA Head Professional Scott Davenport shares some insight.

PGA.com: Tell us a little about your course, what are its strengths and unique attributes.

Davenport: It's an old-style course, there aren't many homes or out-of-bounds out here. You will find gently rolling land, lots of tree-lined fairways. It's a fairly long course, and there is some real rough so it's certainly not an easy course.

PGA.com: Can you name a player or two on the PGA TOUR that you would expect to do well based on how familiar you are with their game and your course?

Davenport: If you go back and look at the winners here; Jim Furyk, David Toms, Joey Sindelar, and Vijay Singh, you'll see there are some real solid ball-strikers. Pretty much anyone that finishes high up on the leaderboard, there aren't too many flukes up there. Hitting driver is very important, so someone that can hit it pretty long but keeping it in the fairway, that's critical. Quite simply, you have to be solid in all aspects of the game. I'd say you watch for someone like Luke Donald this week to do well. He has the total game.

PGA.com: In a short time, your course has become a premier event on TOUR, with one of the strongest fields. Why do you think that is?

Davenport: Well, it's a combination of things, all of which we take great pride in. First of all, Quail Hollow is a great golf course, a good test of golf for everyone. It has a good feel to it, and I think the world's best players recognize and appreciate that. Also, we work very hard to make sure that the players have an enjoyable experience here. They certainly are treated well. The city of Charlotte has been very supportive, even the times when the weather has been shaky, they have turned out. The fans are enthusiastic, polite, and knowledgeable. The volunteers and corporate support are outstanding. And I have to mention how excited the members here are about the tournament. They really make it a priority to make this tournament great.

PGA.com: There is talk that the final three holes at Quail Hollow are the toughest on TOUR. What makes them so tough?

Davenport: Well, first of all, length. The 16th is an almost 500 yard par four that is narrow. The 17th is pretty much an island green that is almost 220 yards. The 18th is just under 500 yards as a par four that has hazards all along it. You need length, accuracy, and maybe some luck to play these holes well. Especially on late Sunday when the nerves are a little frayed.

PGA.com: If one of the TOUR players asked you for some advice on how to play them, what would you say?

Davenport: Hmm, that's a good question. I guess I'd say come in with a big lead. [editors note: For the record, this is based on precedence. In 2003, David Toms took a quadruple bogey eight on the last hole, but still won by two]

PGA.com: What advice would you give an amateur player, say a 14 handicap, before they tackled that stretch?

Davenport: Play for bogey, avoid the train wrecks, and you'll score better almost everytime.

PGA.com: And how many golf balls would you recommend they buy in the pro shop before coming out there?

Davenport: You know, this isn't a course where you will lose too many balls, but the ones you have better be durable, you'll probably swing at them a bunch.