Loren Personett had the dream of playing on the PGA Tour but not the means.

So he chose to become a different sort of professional — a Class A professional for the PGA of America.

Personett and fellow Tennessee PGA members Kelvin Burgin and Audie Johnson will have the opportunity to play with Nationwide Tour professionals during the Chattanooga Classic.

“Those Nationwide guys play seven days a week all over the country and spend hours on the range,” said Personett, the general manager of McCabe Golf Course. “I’m responsible for the whole course — the maintenance, the clubhouse, the staff, tournaments and outings.”

The fields for Nationwide Tour events such as the Chattanooga Classic are determined by rankings, qualifying tournaments and special exemptions. The three TPGA members qualified during a tournament this week at Black Creek Club, site of the Classic Oct. 16-19.

Open Monday qualifiers will be held Oct. 13 at Cleveland Country Club and the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. A handful of area scratch golfers on mini-tours or playing in college are expected to participate, including University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior Derek Rende.

Being a member of the TPGA has its advantages, including competitions for spots in PGA Tour and Nationwide events. Personett once qualified for the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis.

The TPGA also conducts tournaments strictly for Class A professionals across the state.

“I only play tournament golf,” said Burgin, general manager at the Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain. “I never practice and that’s sad to say, but I’m not one of those guys that stays on the range and beats balls all day.

“Tournament golf is all I have time for between being married with two kids and the obvious duties of running the golf course.”

But now that Burgin has qualified for the Chattanooga Classic, he may sneak out on the range a few times between now and then just to stay sharp.

“I wouldn’t say that I couldn’t compete on the tours, but I don’t think you’d see me on the leaderboard every week,” Burgin said. “I’m excited about playing. I’d really love to make the cut and play Saturday and Sunday.”

Tour pros have the same goal.