SANTA ANA PUEBLO — A golfer with writer's cramp?

That's how Roger Martinez left a recent meeting with PGA brass in preparations for the 42nd PGA Professional National Championship, which is set to tee off Sunday.

Twelve pages of typed notes, six pages of diagrams and four more hand-written notes have led to what is a superb setup for the PGA Professionals, who will try to make the cut on a pair of beautiful and tough courses in the tournament's first return since 2003.

It was known as the PGA Club Professional Championship back then.

Much has changed since.

The field has grown to 312 from 160, and both Twin Warriors Golf Club and Santa Ana Golf Club will be used for the first two rounds. After the cut, the tournament moves to Twin Warriors, site of the 2003 tournament, for the final two rounds.

"Both of them are in spectacular shape," Martinez, director of golf and general manager at Santa Ana Golf, Inc. said. "In 2003 we had the Nike Tour and in '04 we had the buy.com Tour. We're at that place right now. Both golf facilities are the best they have ever been."

Golfers will play one round at each course, and the cut is in the low 70 scorers and ties.

Scott Hebert is the defending overall champion, while Tim Thelen won at Twin Warriors in 2003.

Both are in the field and both will have to become acclimated to a challenging mix of elevation and distance.

While the added elevation (5,052 feet above sea level) will add distance to each swing, the course at Twin Warriors is measuring 7,493 (Santa Ana plays at 7,217 yards).

"People coming from sea level are definitely surprised with the extra carry they get," said Derek Gutierrez, the PGA Head Professional at Twin Warriors. "That being said, there's still a considerably-longer golf course here than they find at most courses they play, especially at this course.

"I think the length will offer a great test."

Good thing for practice rounds.

Not only is the added distance challenging, but there are several holes on the course that will require a layup.

Twelve (par 4, 484 yards) would be one they would probably layup on, while No. 1 (par 5, 563-yards) they would probably go for it," Gutierrez said. "Hole 10 is one of the hardest holes on this golf course for any skill level. I think the longer hitter would definitely not hit driver, because they can hit it into the dry wash."

The par 3s are challenging, especially the 220-yard No. 15, which has a narrow approach with hills on either side until the green opens up some.

"It can play all the way to
245 yards, they chose to play it at 220, and if there's any swirling wind, it can be a deal breaker on the homestretch coming in," Gutierrez said. "Being on the right tier (on the green) and hole high can make a difference."

Great scoring opportunities can come on the par-5 first and the driveable par-4 11th, Gutierrez said.

"There will be a lot of eagles on those holes," he said. "There will be a lot of hitters going for the green on 11."

There's also deep rough and thicker native areas that can cause trouble for those who drift from the fairways.

"Twin has matured significantly, so the native areas have all filled in," Martinez said. "If you missed the fairway and the rough doesn't catch it, then it's going to be hard to find in the native areas."

While distance will be a challenge at Twin Warriors, the greens will give the challenge the pros at Santa Ana.

"Santa Ana's defense are its greens," Martinez said. "There aren't many flat spots, and it'll be a challenge to keep the ball below the hole. If its above the hole, they'll be challenged to stop it."

The prize at the end isn't just an impressive purse of $550,000, but a berth into the PGA Championship for the low 20 scorers.

It'll also offer a demonstration of great golf that hackers in the area can well appreciate.

"The skill levels they see here are not much different than what they see on the PGA Tour," Gutierrez said.