Joey Snyder III: The 32-year-old rookie from Scottsdale returned home this week only to have his air-conditioning unit on the blink. No problem, as everything else in the former Arizona State All-American’s life is very cool. “If that’s the worst of it, then we can live with that,’’ said Snyder, whose PGA Tour-best tie for sixth in last week’s International secured his PGA Tour card for 2006.

Last season, it took approximately $625,000 to finish among the top 125. Snyder, who earned $161,875 at Castle Pines, is now sitting pretty at $794,728 (No. 68 on the money list). “That’s great, because now we can sit down and work out a schedule -- there’s 11 events left not counting the Tour Championship -- and play at the highest levels and not be tired.’’

Snyder said the key to his season was a sponsor’s exemption he received earlier this year at the FBR Open. “I finished 11 th at the FBR, and that just had a domino effect, because I ended up having enough money to get into Doral, and it just kept building,’’ he explained. “It’s awesome what the Thunderbirds did for me, and I’ll never forget it.’’

Even though he has only two top-10 finishes, Snyder has been a picture of consistency, making the cut in 14 of 22 events while finishing among the top 25 on six occasions. His 11 eagles rank him seventh in that department, but it’s his greens in regulation (18 th, 68.8 percent) and overall driving (24 th, 289.7 average, 64.3 percent of fairways) which have got it done in 2005.

“My instructor (Dan Campbell) and I have worked real hard building a swing that was solid and would hold up,’’ reported Snyder, who spent last season on the Grey Goose Gateway Tour before earning his card at PGA Tour qualifying school. “And that’s helped my consistency week in and week out. I seem to be getting better and better on a daily basis.’’

Even though his number wasn’t good enough to make the PGA Championship this week, if he stays at No. 68 or better through the coming year, he’ll be there next year.

“It’s definitely a numbers game out there, and we’re certainly not letting up,’’ Snyder added. “Top 30 is still possible (Tour Championship), and top 40 would be great (Masters invitation). And if I can remain among the top 70 the rest of the season, I’ll get into every invitational next year.’’

Yeah, there’s no sweat -- not even from lack of air-conditioning -- when your life is flying right down the middle of the fairway.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

PGA connection: The Valley will have 13 players in the field when the PGA Championship gets under way today at Baltusrol in Springfield, N.J. They include Michael Allen, Paul Casey, Tim Clark, Tim Herron, Tom Lehman, Billy Mayfair, Arron Oberholser, Pat Perez and Jeff Yurkiewicz from Scottsdale; Jonathan Kaye and Ted Purdy from Phoenix; Mark Calcavecchia from Ahwatukee; and Mark Hensby from Mesa. Yurkiewicz, an instructor at the Kostis and McCord Learning Center at Grayhawk, is one of 25 club pros playing in the event.

Get glowing: Augusta Ranch in Mesa will host a Glow Ball night tournament Aug. 19. The two-person scramble costs $40 per player and will start at 5:30 p.m., with nine holes played in daylight, a break for a buffet dinner, and then nine holes played in the dark. To register, call (480) 354-1234.

NOTEWORTHY

New digs: In anticipation of its move in 2007 from March to May, the TPC at Sawgrass is planning a massive renovation following its 2006 event. The Florida Times-Union reported last week that the PGA Tour plans to spend $23 million on the face-lift, which includes a new clubhouse, upgrades to the course, and expanded spectator areas at the 16 th and 17 th holes.

Day in court: Two federal courts made rulings in the past week that could impact clubs -- private and public -- everywhere. In California, the court ruled that membership at private clubs cannot be denied to same-sex partners under the state’s Domestic Partners Act. In Massachusetts, a court ruled that golf courses can be held responsible for damages incurred by wayward shots that “trespass’’ on homeowners’ property that borders the course. Both rulings are being appealed.