Bryan Hoops: The verdict is still out, but early returns say that the Chandler resident is the 2005 Arizona Golf Association Player of the Year. Even Hoops thinks he might have unseated Ken Kellaney, the AGA’s nine-time player of the year, in what looks like a very close encounter for top amateur in the state.

“You know, I was just trying to figure that out myself,’’ said the 36-year-old Hoops (pronounced “Hops’’). “As far as my math goes, I don’t think Ken is near the top for the Mayfair Award, and that’s what would be the determining factor.’’

As it stands, and regardless of the Nova points performance system, a player must win a major championship or the Mayfair Award (low-stroke average) to become the AGA’s player of the year. Hoops won the Mid-Amateur in a season in which Kellaney failed to win a major.

Lorraine Thies, the assistant executive director of the AGA, said she “guessed’’ that Bryan Hoops is going to win. But because all of the scores have not been taken into account for the Mayfair,

“we’re still figuring it out.’’

“It’s the closest race we’ve had since . . . last year,’’ Thies said with a laugh, noting that it also came down to the Mayfair Award last year. “We’ll probably know by the end of the week, and make some type of announcement next week.’’

But Hoops will be shocked if it’s not him. “When I went back through everything, I think I’m sitting pretty good,’’ he said. “Since the four majors were split between four different players this year, it will come down to the Mayfair, and my average is something like 69.4 (strokes per round), so I like my chances.’’

Hoops is an amazing story, as the guy literally bombs the ball 350 yards off the tee. “Yeah, that’s what they know me for,’’ said Hoops of his prowess, which includes a Guinness world record. In 1991 while playing at Riverview Golf Club in Mesa, he aced a 292-yard hole with a 3-iron -- the longest hole-in-one ever with an iron.

These days, however, Hoops is more about his all-around game than bombing drives. “That’s how you score, is with the putter,’’ said Hoops, a co-owner in Scottsdale-based Aspen Technologies. “Like this past week . . . If I’d made a few more putts, we wouldn’t even be talking about (who won the Mayfair Award).’’

Hoops finished four strokes back of Tucson’s Matt Rosen in the State Stroke Play Championship held at the Raven at South Mountain in Phoenix and Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler. Along the way, he shot a 7-under 63 at Lone Tree, which was one stroke off the course record.

“I hit it stone dead on almost every hole that day,’’ he said of the 63. “But I also missed four putts inside 10 feet, and if I’d made them, I would have had a chance to win.’’ Instead, the native of Long Prairie, Minn., who played hockey for St. Cloud State, finished fourth to Kellaney’s fifth-place finish.

“It’s been a great year -- a break-though season -- and if it happens (AGA player of the year), I’ll feel pretty good,’’ Hoops added. “I know that Ken has been the man in Arizona amateur golf for a long time now, and to achieve the goal that he has achieved so many times, that would be special.’’

NOTEWORTHY

Party time: The Raven at South Mountain is hosting its 10-year anniversary party on Monday with the Amazing Hondo as its headliner for the tournament and silent auction. The Amazing Hondo, an acclaimed magician humorist and motivational speaker, will perform at the awards ceremony.

To enter the event ($600 per foursome), or for tickets to the dinner, call (602) 304-3720.

Honored: Two courses from Arizona were recently honored by Golf Digest in its 2005 ratings.

Laughlin Ranch Golf Club in Bullhead City was named in the “Best New Upscale Public’’ category, coming in at No. 9. Pine Canyon in Flagstaff also was ranked No. 9 in the “Best New Private’’ category.

And finally: The Futures Golf Tour, the official developmental tour for the LPGA, announced its schedule for 2006, with Tucson showing up in the May 12-14 slot at a sight yet to be announced. The 18 tournaments will offer a combined purse of $1.35 million, or about $75,000 per event.