When players from the PGA TOUR play in an event before any major, they are playing with hopes of getting their games in peak form. Thus, their expectations for the course are as high as they are for their own game. Can any course meet that standard? PGA Head Professional Bret Nutt of the host Tournament Course at Redstone Golf Club says his can.

PGA.com: Bret, the Tournament Course at Redstone is hosting the Shell Houston Open for the 2nd time. This is a course that many fans of golf haven't really gotten to know yet, what can you tell us about the track?

Nutt: It's a great course, a real good test of golf. It doesn't favor any one type of player, whether it's a long bomber or a guy who can shape every shot. You will need a complete game to do well here. Of course, length always helps to some extent, but there is quite a bit of trouble off the tee here - there's water on nine holes I think - so you need good control of your shots as well as length. And of course, have a hot putter. We have large greens here with a good bit of contour in them. So it's a course that requires all the shots to compete.

PGA.com: Considering that David Toms was a special consultant on the course, I take it that the course might be best suited for someone like, say, David Toms. Are there any golfers you expect to do well this week?

Nutt: My guess is, there is a great advantage for someone who has a lot of TOUR experience, probably someone who has won before. The closing holes are tough, especially under tournament-type pressure, hole no. 18 is really a challenge. Obviously, Stuart Appleby has to be a favorite, as the defending champion, and yes, I think David Toms will fare well. But I would think it will be someone that's won before.

PGA.com: According to your course website, yours is one of only 11 courses in the country that the general public can play that also hosts a PGA TOUR event. For those that have never played on a TOUR course, can you explain why that is such a draw?

Nutt: Well, in addition to knowing you're playing a great course and a great challenge, this is where golf is unique. You can't go play basketball in the Boston Garden or play baseball in Yankee Stadium, but you can share the same experience as the best players in the world when you play the same courses.

PGA.com: Your facility at Redstone has two PGA Head Professionals. How does that work out?

Nutt: Yes, I oversee operations at the Tournament Course, which also hosts the Shell Houston Open, and Derek Clouse is the PGA Head Professional for our Members course. The Tournament course sees more corporate outings and one-time visitors, the Members course obviously caters to the needs of the members here, but both are committed to giving golfers the best possible golf experience every time out.

PGA.com: Will the Members Course remain open during the tournament?

Nutt: No, it will be closed. The TOUR players will be using the locker room and clubhouse, and for parking and other logistics, we need to close the course.

PGA.com: How does the membership react to that?

Nutt: I think it's a source of pride for them, that they play on a PGA TOUR host course. We all take pride in how we'll represent ourselves this week.