Aug. 20, 2008 -- Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., is one of the most storied and prestigious facilities in the country. It has hosted major championships for the USGA, The PGA of America, the Ryder Cup, LPGA events and top amateur events. Now it adds another high profile tournament to its stellar history, The Barclays - this year's first event in the FedExCup Playoffs. PGA Head Professional David Reasoner talked with PGA.com about what it means to the legacy of the course and what the players and fans can expect from Ridgewood.

PGA.com: David, your course has such a long and storied history, but it hasn't been in the public consciousness for awhile it seems. What does it mean to host a PGA Tour event here, and even more, such a high profile event?:

Steve Stricker's win at last year's Barclays sparked an exciting start to the FedExCup Playoffs. (Photo: Getty Images)

Reasoner: This is a huge deal for us -- both the staff members here and the membership. We've had major championships here, we've had The Ryder Cup, so it's not a new experience for the course -- but it is an important one. It certainly speaks to the type of course we have and it is a great opportunity for us to share what we feel is one of the premier facilities in the world with everyone who will be tuning in to see the start of the FedExCup series. We are all very excited to say the least.

PGA.com: Well, not only are the golf fans not overly familiar with your course, but more than likely, most of the players won't be either. What can you tell us about Ridgewood?

Reasoner: This is a very traditional golf course in the truest sense of the word. We have huge oak trees on the grounds, just really impressive views that frame the holes, a great mix of holes, long and short, doglegs, great green complexes, it's a real fair but true test for all levels of golfers. We've invested a great deal to make sure the course has all the conveniences of what a modern day course should have but still have the old-school feel to the layout. This is a A.W. Tillinghast design and for golf aficionados, I think they will know that when they see it.

PGA.com: When this tournament ends on Sunday, what will be the one thing that the winner will have done better than anyone else to come out on top?

Reasoner: Well, at this level of play, it always comes down to putting, doesn't it? That's obviously going to play a huge part. But one other item, our rough here is very thick and dense. Getting into it will be more penal than at many other courses. So look for the player who keeps it in the fairway off the tee to do well.

PGA.com: With the acclaim and hype that comes with the FedExCup series, there will be a lot of eyeballs on this tournament. Does that add pressure to you and your staff or is it no different than how you'd normally prepare for a tournament?

Reasoner: There's definitely pressure. From how we staff the event to how we cater it to how we set up the course, there are so many elements that go on behind the scenes to make such an undertaking run smoothly. But we have had the best people putting the plans into place and now it's time to just let that plan run. We feel very good and confident that it will be a great week.

PGA.com: Ridgewood was founded in 1890, the course has been around since the 1920s. How does a course have that type of longevity on a championship level? With today's advances in equipment, golf balls, player fitness, etc., why aren't you obsolete?

Reasoner: We offer the type of golf test that is timeless -- and we do work hard to make sure our course stays current with how the game changes as well. We have a 27 hole facility here, three separate nines, and our championship course is actually a course that is routed from all three nines. Bascially, we take the 18 best holes on the course and have that serve as the layout for The Barclays. And this layout is going to play over 7300 yards -- and that includes a 291 yard par 4 and a 150 yard par 3. So this course has plenty of length. Without the length, this would still be a great test. But with it, it's going to be plenty of challenge for these guys. It's going to be a great week.