Kendall Critchfield: Sometimes, when you finally break through to win your first tournament in a long, long time, the feeling is surreal. Take former Arizona State player Kendall Critchfield, who after a moderately successful career at Arizona State, has come up big on the Grey Goose Gateway Tour.

“It was strange; like I didn’t really win the tournament,’’ said the 23-year-old. “Everything just kind of fell into place -- I played well, ground it out, and made a birdie on the last hole to get to 15-under (par).’’

Which was good enough to take home the winner’s check of $19,000. And perhaps it’s really not all that surprising, as Critchfield has made 13 of 13 cuts on the Grey Goose this year, and three top-10s in the past three weeks. Such consistency has vaulted him into fourth place on the Scottsdale-based tour’s money list with $42,000.

“I guess I’ve taken it up a notch,’’ he said when asked the difference between his college days and early pro career. “I’m driving it really well -- 300 yards and straight -- and I switched to cross-handed (putting), which has really helped.

“I’ve also learned a lot mentally: to play smart and rely on the putter. It’s just all added up, which is why I’ve got my game to another level.’’

It’s been an interesting journey. From age 8 through high school, Kendall attended almost all of ASU’s tournaments -- men’s and women’s. That was because his mother, Nancy Critchfield, was both program’s No. 1 booster. In high school, Kendall was the Class 2-A individual champ at Seton Catholic as a freshmen, then he transferred to Red Mountain in Mesa.

“I was never out of the top six at state, and our teams at Red Mountain won the state title my junior year and finished second to Brophy my senior year,’’ he said. “At ASU, I had a couple of good finishes, but I really didn’t play all that well my senior year.’’

Always taking the high road, Critchfield said he “learned a ton’’ from his ASU experiences. “And, really, I just looked at college as a stepping stone to get where I’m at now.’’

Under the watchful eye of his long-time instructor Lonnie Lopez at the Jim Flick Academy at Desert Mountain, Critchfield finally seems poised to do what was almost unthinkable a few years ago.

“That’s the goal,’’ he said of his upcoming debut in PGA Tour Qualifying School in late October. “How long it takes (to get his card), I’m really not sure, But I’ve got a lot of inspirational friends out there, like Joey Snyder (III), so I’m willing to give it whatever it takes.’’

Critchfield’s reference was to another former Sun Devil and Grey Goose Gateway alum, who took eight years to make it to the top rung. Snyder currently is the No. 2 rookie behind Sean O’Hair on the PGA Tour.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Mickelson pledge: The 84 Lumber Classic will have some added excitement this weekend as recent PGA champ Phil Mickelson has pledged his earnings or $250,000 -- “whichever is greater’’ -- to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. “Thousands of families will never be the same. It’s unimaginable,’’ Mickelson observed. “Just having our hearts go out to these victims wasn’t nearly enough.’’

Medal winners: Several golfers with East Valley ties played well in The Medalist over the weekend at Eagle Mountain, SunRidge Canyon and We-Ko-Pa. Among the winners were Scottsdale’s Matthew Rosen (Gold, gross), Jon Klessner of Fountain Hills (Silver, net), David Willigood (Cooper, gross), Jerry Lester of Mesa (Copper, net), and Scottsdale’s Jerry Merida (Senior, gross) and Larry Queen (Senior, net).

Volunteers needed: The Gila River Classic, which takes place Oct. 3-9 at Whirlwind Golf Club near Chandler, is seeking volunteers. For $25, volunteers receive a uniform, hat, daily badge, 10 daily tickets, meals and one round of golf at Whirlwind for every day worked. To volunteer, call (800) 556-5400 ext. 5004.

Overseeding schedule: Courses in north Scottsdale already have began the two-week process of replacing Bermuda grass with rye for the upcoming 2005-06 season. The two-and-a-half month overseeding schedule got under way in late August in northern and southern Arizona, and will run through early November, when green fees gradually escalate into peak season (January through April). For a complete listing of Arizona golf courses and when they will be closed for overseeding, visit ----------.