Ken Kellaney: When last seen, the senior vice president of Phoenix-based National Bank was attempting to qualify for the Champions Tour. Kellaney didn’t quite get the job done, ending up in a tie for 53 rd (only the top 30 qualified). But he didn’t lose his amateur status, either, thanks for a rule implemented by the PGA Tour in 2004 which allows amateurs to declare their pro status after the qualifying school.

“I made some rookie mistakes, which showed up in a couple of my scores, but overall it was a great experience,’’ said Kellaney, who struggled with opening rounds of 76-78 before closing with rounds of 71-73 at the finals held in Florida. “It was nice to play against guys my own age for a change.’’

That won’t happen this week, when Kellaney attempts to win his fifth Arizona State Stroke Play title, as the 143-player field is filled with players of all ages. The perfect example is the defending champ, Tucson’s Matt Rosen, who is a 22-year-old junior at Tennessee State University.

On the line is the Arizona Golf Association’s player of the year award, which Kellaney could win for a record 10 th time. He currently leads the AGA points list, and a win or a high finish would get the job done after captured the Arizona Publinks title and East Valley Short Course crown earlier this year.

“There are still a few guys who could get the job done and win (player of the year),’’ cautioned Kellaney. “But I’m playing pretty good, and even though I’ve just gone through a little bit of a swing change, all I need to do now is trust it.’’

Kellaney has to like the venue, as the Raven at South Mountain in Phoenix has been the site of three of his four previous titles. The format calls for 36 holes at the Raven, and 36 holes at Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler. The final 18 holes will take place at the Raven on Sunday.

Among the favorites chasing Kellaney in the points race are Scottsdale’s Chris Kessler, the Arizona Mid-Amateur champion, and Mesa’s Charlie Beljan, a senior at the University of New Mexico who won the Arizona Amateur. Past champions in the field include Chad Hossack, formerly of Gilbert but now living in San Francisco, Scottsdale’s Mark Sollenberger, and Chandler’s Bryan Hoops, the 2005 AGA player of the year.

Whatever the challenge, Kellaney said he’s “ready to go.’’ And he doesn’t necessarily consider his recent experience on the Champions Tour a big advantage when he goes back to amateur golf this week.

“It was fun to compete against lifetime professionals, and know my game was good enough,’’ said Kellaney, who is 49 but soon will turn 50. “I got to play with the guy who won it ( Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit) and the guy who finished second ( Canada’s Ray Stewart), and I actually felt like I belonged. . . .

“If I decide to do it again (qualify for the Champions), maybe I’ll fare a little better. But certainly there are no regrets, and now I just have to get back competing against these younger players and get used to enjoying amateur golf again.’’

NOTEWORTHY

Gulbis to lead parade: LPGA star Natalie Gulbis has been chosen to serve as the grand marshal for the 36 th annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade. The former All-American at the University of Arizona will be in the lead car when the parade takes place Dec. 30 in central Phoenix.

Record haul: The Junior Golf Association of Arizona recently raised $284,513 at its 100-hole Golf Marathon held at Palm Valley Golf Club in Litchfield Park. It was the largest fund-raiser ever for the JGAA, and is believed to be the most money ever raised by a junior golf association in a one-day event held in the United States.

Just in time for Christmas: Phoenix-based PING Golf has announced a new putter series called the Redwood line. The first completely milled stainless steel putters, which cost $280 each, come in three models: the Anser, Zing and Piper-S mallet. For information, visit www.pinggolf.com.

FBR Open update: The Doobie Brothers will be the headline band for the Birds Nest when the FBR Open takes place Jan. 29-Feb. 4 at the TPC of Scottsdale. According to several sources, the chances are “excellent’’ that comedian/actor Bill Murray will be the star of Wednesday’s pro-am.