Brian Pavlet: Arizona’s most well-known big hitter – golfing-wise -- will put his skills on the line this week when he competes in the $500,000 RE-MAX World Long Drive Championships at the Palms Golf Course in Mesquite, Nev. According to the 37-year-old Pavlet, this will be his 14 th straight appearance in the finals since winning the precursor National Long Drive Championship in 1993.

“Thanks for reminding me,’’ Pavlet joked when reminded that he has yet to win the championship since it went to “world’’ status. “One of these years, it’s all going to go right, and hopefully, I’ll take home that ‘elusive’ title.’’

Pavlet, who grew up in Scottsdale and lives in Litchfield Park, is one of five Valley residents who have qualified for the event’s Open division, which pays out $125,000 to the winner. Others include Scottsdale’s Danny Luirette, known as the “longest left-hander in long-drive history,’’ Cave Creek’s Mitch Posh, and Jason Witczak and Mitch McDowell of Phoenix.

“The sport has grown so much since I first started bombing it, that it’s hard to believe,’’ Pavlet said of the event, which has featured players from all 50 states plus 49 countries. “And while the equipment is a big part of that, it’s still a matter of sticking to the basic principles, as it’s all about speed and balance.’’

Pavlet’s personal arsenal includes a driver that features the maximum head allowed (460 cubic centimeters), a 3X-stiff shaft that is 50 inches long, and a face that is almost flat (6.5-degree loft). “Perfect for the average guy, especially if he wants to hit it low right under a chair,’’ Pavlet deadpanned, adding that everyone uses the same ball – the Pinnacle Gold.

Pavlet also boasts perhaps the fastest swing speed in the world at 150 mph, or about 20 mph faster than John Daly’s. Naturally, Pavlet’s ball speed also is at the top of the charts, as he sends it off the tee at 210 mph. “All that proves is you don’t want to be in front of me on a golf course,’’ added the 2-handicap.

As for the event itself, Pavlet said there’s nothing like it in sports: “It’s golf under the lights, where you can follow the ball for about 350 yards against the night sky, and then the fireworks go off and the crowd goes nuts. The only thing I can think of that sort of reminds me of it is the 16 th hole at the FBR Open. Which is kind of funny, because even though they say the event takes place in Mesquite, the golf course is actually in Arizona, just across the (state) line.’’

NOTEWORTHY

Top players: Don Yrene, the head pro at the Golf Club Scottsdale, has been named the Southwest Section of the PGA’s player of the year for a record fourth straight time.

In the senior division, Talking Stick instructor Jon Chafee was named as the top pro.

“I know John Jackson won (player of the year honors) three years in a row, and he’s one of our section’s great ambassadors of the game, so to be in his company is a great honor,’’ said Yrene, who was low club pro at the PGA Championship and had a top-10 finish in the National Club Pro.

Showtime: The Phoenix Golf, Travel and leisure Expo presented by Golf Digest takes place Oct. 28-29 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Besides instruction seminars and free swing analysis, the expo will feature interactive games, fashion shows

and a cigar lounge. Tickets are $7 for adults, with attendees receiving a one-year subscription to Golf Digest or Golf for Women magazines. For information, visit www.phoenixgolfexpo.com

And finally: Don’t look now, but former Arizona State player Paul Casey, a part-time Scottsdale resident, is one tournament away from winning the European Order of Merit. The only player who stands in the way of the Englishman is Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, who needs a first-, second- or third-place finish at the Volvo Masters in Spain this weekend to unseat Casey, presuming Casey doesn’t also finish among the top three.